Kathleen Rose Vala

Kathleen passed away peacefully at her home with her oldest and youngest daughters at her side.  She was 97 years old and preceded in death by her husband Albert J. Vala.  They shared 53 years of marriage together.  Albert was a heavy construction engineer and the family has lived in Las Vegas and Portland, Oregon.

Born in Portland, Kathleen was the daughter of Rose and Chet Cieslinski.  She graduated from Franklin High School and attended Oregon State University, where she  joined The Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority.  Before getting married she worked part-time at her father’s hair salon:  Franklin Barber & Beauty Shoppe on Division Street

She enjoyed being a homemaker for her 6 children and she continued playing bridge and lunched with the same group of women she met from her sorority house throughout her lifetime.  She will be remembered for her friendly personality, her love of music, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Kathleen is survived by her brother, James Cieslinski; along with her children:  David (Robin Chilstrom), Kris, Vicki (Johnny Mestas), Gretchen (Lawrence Tapscott), Mary (Alvin Li) and Maureen.  Her grandchildren:  Erika, Jessie, Alex, Angie, Roy, Rian, Richard, Jennie, Alyssa, Chehales, Letisha, and LaToya.  Her great grandchildren:  John, Evelyn, and Sylvia, Kaisei, Takeru and Chaye.  And one on the way from her beloved grandson Richard. 

The funeral service will be held at St. Claire’s Catholic Church on Friday, January 10th, at 10am.

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