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BORN IN PORTLAND, OREGON
Nilda Jean Cates entered the world born backwards, at her grandma and grandpa Hahns house next door. -
MET PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
When Nilda was 3, President Roosevelt and his wife came to portland while campaigning. 3 year old Nilda, her mom and dad went to the rally. Mrs. Roosevelt saw the baby and said "Oh can I have her?" to Nilda's mother. She let her take her and walked all around the rally with Nilda. -
1st DATE
Nilda's sister Lorraine and her boyfriend were going on a double date with his friend. His friends' date didn't show up, so he invited 9 year old Nilda to go! She wanted to look grown up and wear slacks and suspenders, as was the fashion, so her mom pinned her slacks. While they were roller skating, the pin came undone and Nilda yelled "Turn me loose! Turn me loose! My britches are falling down!" -
RODDY SINGLETERRY
Nilda became an aunt to her favorite nephew! -
CHEERLEADER
Along with her best friends Gail and Hettie, Nilda was a cheerleader for the boys basketball team in 7th grade. -
KAY LYNN SINGLETERRY
Nilda's sister Lorraine had her second child, Kay and is her favorite niece! -
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
In her freshman year at Roosevelt High School, Jean made the basketball team! -
CLAYTON ALLEN
Nilda had her 1st son! -
KIM ELAINE
Had her 2nd child, and 1st daughter, Kim. (She later became Kim Elaine Henry when Paul formally adopted her 19 ) -
1st JOB
As a single parent, Nilda worked at Good Samaritan Hospital, pressing nurse and doctor's uniforms. -
MET THE LOVE OF HER LIFE
While celebrating her 23rd birthday at the Wishing Well, with her sister Lorraine and Helen, the girls met a group of sailors over a dispute about a painting of a ship (the USS Constitution). Paul won the argument and shortly thereafter, "Jeanie's" heart. -
MARRIED PAUL RICHARD HENRY
After months of correspondance while Paul was sailing, Paul and Jeanie tied the knot! (It happened so fast Paul didn't even tell his mother he got married... for 2 years...!) -
NATHAN DEAN HENRY
Nathan was born just 9 months after marrying Paul. -
PAMALA JEAN HENRY
Pamala completed the family, following Nathan just 10 months later! -
1st HOUSE
In 1963 Paul and Jean purchased their farmhouse on Willis BLVD and lived there for 43 years and 6 months. -
1st FAMILY VACATION
They all took a 2 day "milk train" to colorado to see Paul's family. -
QUIT SMOKING!
Confronted by her very concerned kids, they demanded she quit after they hid her cigarettes. -
TOLE PAINTING... TO OIL ON CANVAS
Paul's sister Barbara taught Jeanie how to tole paint on woodwork. As her skills progressed she saw oil paintings and thought "I can do that" and has completed up to 25 oil on canvas paintings. Some of her granddaughters favorite memories were learning to paint with Mim in her painting room. -
BECAME A GRANDMA!
Became a grandma when Kim had Dana Deforest Davis. -
SARGENT
Got the first family pet, a Malamute and German Shepherd. Paul named him Sargent or Sarge for short. -
ROAD TRIP
Paul sat for his captain papers in Baltimore. So Jean joined him for vacation! They went on an east coast road trip to DC, Wiliamsburg VA, Jamestown and Yorktown to learn and see all the history. -
SEWING
During competitive synchronized swimming, Jean honed her sewing skills to sew her whole team's bathing suits for competition. This inspired her creativity into making quilts and clothing, then eventually led to her own embroidery machine and lessons. -
25th ANNIVERSARY
25th wedding anniversary Paul finally got Jeanie a wedding ring and band. -
BRITTANY WEIBERG
Pam's first daughter was born and went straight into her Mim's arms in the hospital room. Jean loved spending all her extra time making up wondrous bedtime stories and taking her swimming at colombia pool and being entertained by her most hilarious granddaughter. -
SHOOTIN'
Paul and Jean joined a gun club to enjoy the outdoors, and went at least once a week for the next 11 years while building their own personal artillery collection! -
KAYLIN CROSS
Pam had a second daughter, known for her sweet and caring temperment , Kaylin. (Named after 2nd cousin Kay) It was always fun after dinner, dancing with mim in the kitchen singing about Kaylin's favorite horsey. -
NOLAN CROSS
And finally the last of the grandchildren, Pam had her youngest and cutest, Nolan. (Who also shares a birthday with his eldest cousin Dana) Nolan loved cuddling with Mim on the floor of the living room watching one of Mim's favorite movies, the Sword in the Stone (where the name "Mim" came from) Also Mim recently taught Nolan how to sew! -
SKIING
3 of Jeans synchronized swimming teammates invited her to go skiing on Mt. Hood. She did, and was hooked, line and sinkered. For the next 9 years she worked to the Black Diamond runs, but really enjoyed the mile long run starting from the tip of the mountain! -
BECAME A GREAT GRANDMA!
Became a great grandma to Hunter Davis, son of Dana -
THE MOVE FROM PORTLAND
To be closer to family, Jean moved up to Maple Valley, Washington with her daughter Pam. All 4 of her children were finally just minutes away from one another! -
TRIP TO ISRAEL
Nathan took his mom with him to Jerusalem for a convention. Jean was baptized in the Jordan river, and got to walk the streets where Jesus walked. -
ROAD TRIP
Jean flew to San Antonio to see her cousin Joyce and family, then met up with her grade school friend Gail in Uma. They took a road trip to Long Beach, CA to see her cousin Johnny, then headed home to Maple Valley. -
RIVER WARREN DAVIS
Son of Dana and Jamie Davis -
LONG BEACH, WA
Jean joined her bible study group for a fun trip to the beach! -
80TH BIRTHDAY BASH!!!
In celebration of 80 beautiful years!
Nilda Jean Henry:
4 children
8 grandchildren
8 great grandchildren and more to come!