Eleanor Ruth Wilson Berg

"Toddie" passed away on July 26, 2013, at her home on Bainbridge Island, Washington, following a brief bout with cancer.Her family and friends deeply loved and admired Toddie for her ready smile, sharp wit, and unfailingly sunny disposition. Her generosity of spirit and mind impressed many.Eleanor was born in Fruitland, Idaho, on June 1, 1923, to George C. and Bessie A. Todd, joining an elder sister, Polly Lou. The family shortly thereafter moved to Portland, Oregon, where George established the Oregon Goodwill Industries. Following graduation from Lincoln High School in Portland, Eleanor majored in Sociology at Willamette University, graduating in 1944.Eleanor married Arthur A. Wilson, also of Portland, Oregon, in 1944, and following a war-time stay in Chicago, took up residence in Salem, Oregon, where daughter Marilyn and son, Todd, were born. Her second daughter, Susan, was born in 1955, after the family moved to Roseburg, to establish Art's law practice. Art and Toddie were active participants in the Unitarian Fellowship and a number of civic organizations, including the League of Women Voters. Eleanor returned to school to obtain teaching credentials, after which she taught both at Hucrest Elementary School and then for 22 years in the 8th grade English team at Fremont Junior High School. The team's innovative, rigorous but liberal-minded approach to teaching English and literature influenced a generation of Roseburg adolescents, stimulating many to higher academic achievements. During this time, Eleanor generously cared for her aging mother, mother-in-law, and aunt and uncle.Following the death of her husband, Art, in 1980, Eleanor continued to teach until 1985, and married Walter L. Berg, in 1986. Moving first to Federal Way and McCormick Woods, they jointly built a residence on Bainbridge Island in 1996. Toddie loved and was loved by her family, including Walter's three children, Karen Beahm, Melissa Mercer, and Geoffrey Berg, their spouses and offspring. She took a lively and loving interest in the development and education of her grandchildren, Andrea and Christopher Speedie, Anya and Colin Wilson and Marc Gasser, and was proud of her family's educational achievements.Toddie had many friends who admired her skills as a lively and intelligent conversationalist, an excellent cook, and a creative and talented quilter. Her interests in literature, theatre and travel generated many friendships that endured decades. Eleanor's devotion to education motivated her to fund a program for the advancement of women scientists at Willamette University, and she returned regularly to the university and observed its development with pride.Eleanor suffered in her last years from dementia and finally, cancer, but retained her joy for life. She continued to take pleasure in quilting and cooking, her family, as well as the beautiful gardens surrounding their home. She deeply appreciated the compassionate support of Martha & Mary At Home caregivers.She will be sorely missed by her family and friends, who will celebrate her life on August 31, in Portland Oregon, where she will be buried next to Arthur A. Wilson. Eleanor is survived by her husband of 27 years, Walter Berg of Bainbridge Island, Washington, her children, Marilyn (Stuart) Speedie of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Todd (Laurie) Wilson of Monmouth, Oregon, and Susan (James) Gasser of Basel, Switzerland, and five grand-children. Step-children include Karen (Doug) Beahm, Melissa (David) Mercer, and Geoffrey Berg. She delighted in meeting her two great-grandchildren Aiza and Ikram (Speedie) Khan shortly before she died.A celebration of her life will be held in Sellwood Park, Portland Oregon, on August 31, 2013, starting at 1.30 PM, after a graveside farewell for family members. Flowers may be sent to Riverview Cemetery Association of Portland, 8421 SW Macadam Avenue, Portland Oregon 97219. In honor of Eleanor, donations may be made to the Eleanor Todd Wilson-Berg Symposium Fund at Willamette University, c/o Steve Brier, 900 State Street, Salem, OR 97301.