Virginia Lee (Lange) Clow

Virginia Lee Clow, of Portland, OR, died March 24, 2021, peacefully at home.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 17th for family and friends in Portland. 

Virginia (Ginny) was born September 22, 1923, in Portland to Webster Lange and Ethel May Hamar - Lange.  Her father worked as a motion picture operator and her mother was a homemaker.  She often spoke fondly of her childhood adventures in Ladds Addition, NW Portland, and Multnomah where she worked after school at the neighborhood ice cream store.  

She lived in the Pacific Northwest throughout her life.  She met her husband, Ken Clow, at Lincoln high school and said from the moment she saw him “that she was going to marry that guy” and they married shortly after graduation.  She was a talented drum majorette as she lead the Lincoln band in the Rose Parade and many state-wide competitions.  After graduation, she enjoyed spending afternoons at the baseball diamond watching Ken play with greats like Johnny Pesky.  As with many couples of that time,  their lives took an unexpected turn when WWII broke out and Ken joined the Army Air Corp as a fighter pilot.  Ginny loved her sales career and friends at Lipman’s Department Store where she worked her whole career in the main floor ladies apparel department, while Ken managed the shipping department at the Vaughan St Montgomery Ward warehouse.  

Her interests included family, gardening, sewing, and reading and her special interest was fashion.  She devoted much of her time and energy to family members, including caring for her daughter Cathy, and grandchildren, Heather, Laurel, and Cameron.

Mrs. Clow is survived by her daughter, Cathy Chase; her son-in-law, Harry Chase; 2 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and many extended family who loved her very much.  The family also wishes to especially thank neighbor Sherry and the caregivers from Visiting Angels, for their friendship and personal attention.   

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ken, and granddaughter, Laurel Chase.

Donations may be made to the National MS Society.  

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