Charlene Louise Curry, PhD, passed away peacefully on May 20, 2017. She was born August 13, 1928 in San Diego, California. Living in San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle during her early childhood, she developed a life-long love of the Pacific Ocean. After graduating from Grant High School in Portland, Charlene received degrees from Oregon State and the University of Oregon. In 1948, she married Dale M. Curry. Charlene and Dale lived in Portland, Great Falls, England, Eugene and Springfield. They travelled together on many adventures across the globe until Dale’s death in 2002. Charlene moved to Boise in 2010 and embarked on a mission to learn more about the beautiful place she now called home—learning about the history, wildlife and peoples of Idaho. She became an avid supporter of the Boise Opera while continuing to serve as a patron of the arts in Oregon.
An educator for many years, Charlene began teaching 2nd graders for the Portland Public Schools and in England. In Springfield, she taught English and served as the Director of Guidance for Springfield High School. Upon completion of her PhD, Charlene became a visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Education at the University of Oregon and an Adjunct Professor at the San Francisco Theological Seminary. She served for many years as a Board Member of Lane Community College and as a National Board Member for the Association of Community College Trustees.
In 1977, Charlene became the Legislative Assistant to the Chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee at the Oregon State Legislature and went on to manage several state ballot measure campaigns. She returned to the University of Oregon as the Director of Governmental Relations where she represented both the University, and the Oregon Higher Education System at the Oregon State Legislature and the United States Congress. Working alongside UofO President Paul Olum and US Senator Mark Hatfield, her efforts resulted in the funding of a new 34.6 million dollar science complex for the campus. She retired from the university in 1989.
She is survived by her daughter Claudia Harris (Tracy Harris), son Mark Curry (Teddi Anderson Curry), nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
In accordance with Charlene’s wishes, a concert in her honor will be held in Meridian, Idaho. For more information, please see the Relyea Funeral Chapel tribute site at http://www.relyeafuneralchapel.com/tributes/Charlene-Curry
Memorial donations may be made to:
Eugene Ballet Company (eugeneballetcompany.org)
Boise Opera (http://1617.operaidaho.org/wordpress/home/donate/)
Dale M. Curry Memorial Scholarship, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University (http://pharmacy.oregonstate.edu/alumni/supporting-college)

Tribute Concert in Memory of
Charlene Curry

Saturday, June 24
7pm
Grand Lodge Front Lawn

Scheduled Performers:
Jason and Michele Detwiler,
Sue Patchell-Hamilton, Sean Rogers

Public is welcome to attend

---

 Service Information