Constance "Updike" Berenice Riley

Connie was born to Lorense Arneson Updike and Fred Updike in Aberdeen, Washington on June 17, 1917. Her family soon moved to the communities of Maplewood and then Multnomah, Oregon. Her beloved brother Buddy, was born in 1920. During the Depression, times were not easy for Connie and her family. Her Mother, a dressmaker, was by this time alone in raising her children. It was indeed challenging to provide the necessities for a young growing family. Having just reached the age of twelve, Mom was presented with the idea of spending the summer in the country working for a family in Mist, Oregon. To be able to help her family, to be in the country with its fresh air, good food and farm animals, seemed like a wonderful idea. She remained in Mist until graduating from high school in Vernonia, Oregon in 1934. Always a good student, it was decided she would attend Eastern State Teachers College in Madison, South Dakota, while living with her mother’s family. She went on to teach in a one-room school house in the far northerly reaches of South Dakota. The winter was harsh, the school was a long walk away in the winter and some of the kids were older than she was. One year was enough! Home to Oregon. She returned to Portland, working as a secretary for Neighbors of Woodcraft, an insurance company, and later for the Bonneville Administration. Free times were spent attending evening business classes, volunteering at the local hospital and hiking with the Pathfinders, a Portland Hiking Club of that era. She summited a good number of the peaks in Washington and Oregon. Most memorable for her was climbing Mt. Jefferson. Mt. Jefferson is a long way from Portland, and no one dared being tardy for their jobs. It was a successful climb, complete with an amazing sky and landscape which turned bright red with the evening. Although expecting to get off the mountain and reach their transportation home before dusk, the climbers, as a precautionary move, had tied white handkerchiefs to tree trunks to assist in guiding their way back down the trail. Nightfall quickly arrived and they found themselves running to the trailhead, watching for the white hankerchiefs, in order to return to Portland before their workday began. Lifelong friendships were made during her association with the Pathfinders. While at the Bonneville administration Connie met Cecil Riley, whom she married in December of 1941. Cecil enlisted in the military, becoming a photographer, using his skills during WWII and the Korean War and later teaching the art of photography throughout his long military career. Connie and Cecil eventually moved to Vanport, Oregon, where daughter Teresa was born in 1946. Cecil soon returned to the military as jobs were scarce. After the Vanport flood of 1948, Connie and Teresa joined Cecil in the first of their three trips to Japan as military dependents. They were among the first group of dependents to arrive in Japan after the end of WWII. Her son Stephen was born in Tokyo in 1949. Lovely experiences and stories and photos remain from their years in Post War Japan. After the last return from Japan in 1957, Connie and Cecil divorced. Connie then worked for many years at OSHU as a secretary in the Department of Biochemistry. Developing friendships with students drawn from around the world for their studies made her work more enjoyable. Connie continued her love of the outdoors, joining a Portland hiking club. She hiked up and down the PCT of Oregon and Washington, loving every chance to go on a nice day hike or a good backpack. She was always eager to travel, visit an interesting natural site, or explore a cultural destination. She loved to garden. Plants thrived, perhaps hearing how beautiful they were did the trick. Cooking was always a pleasure for her. Trying new recipes, making bread and yogurt and sharing fresh cookies were high on her list of fun things to do. A good book was always a cherished friend. One of her most rewarding pleasures for many years, was volunteering with the English as a Second Language programs. Her Mother had emigrated from Norway as a young girl which led Connie to volunteer with ESL. Mom felt it was a way she could honor the efforts of all those taking those big steps to become a part of our country. Often she would invite students to her home for further lessons. Many students and their families became good friends, keeping in touch, informing her of their lives. She is survived by her children: daughter, Teresa (Ken) of Ridgefield, WA, son, Stephen (Linda) of Bellingham, WA, Grandchildren: Sara and great-grandson Jack, of Denver, Colorado; Tom (Thais) of Dana Point, California; Elizabeth of Portland, and Mani of Ridgefield, WA, son-in-law, Michael (Carol) of Corvallis, Oregon; and brother-in-law, Floyd (Charlene) of Salem, Oregon. Good Job Mom! She was an enduring example of an individual making the best of their life. She was active with her interests, enjoyed helping others, was always so thoughtful, and was so curious and interested in everything ... always Many thanks to Kaiser Permanente and the K.P. Cares staff and their programs which dealt with her during her last few years. You made life easier for her and the rest of us who loved her. We appreciate the Hospice program helping her last few moments be more comfortable. Thank you to Van Mall Retirement of Vancouver for the five years it has been her home. We are grateful for the sincere, kindly and dignified manner our precious Mom, Grandmother, Great-grandmother has been treated throughout her time there. - - - - In honor of Connie, donate time and funds to a favorite cause, share a cookie, your garden flowers, but mostly, keep curious and involved with your wonder life. Thank you to Wilhelm’s Portland Memorial for their assistance. Internment: Lincoln Memorial Gathering of Friends and Family: Van Mall Retirement, August 05, 2016 Service Information