VAN KUREN
Anita Gordon Van Kuren, 89 of The Dalles, OR, formerly of Naples, FL died Saturday, July 13, 2013. She was born September 26, 1923 in Cumberland, Rhode Island, the youngest of 3 children to Henry William Gordon and Alice Eugenia (Fortin) Gordon. Anita graduated from Central High School, Providence, RI in 1940 and then completed Edgewood Secretarial School in 1942. Anita is preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Madeline (Gordon) Brooks, Franklin Gordon, Roland Gordon; her sister-in-law, Nancy Gayle Van Kuren; her brother-in-law, Joseph P. Bodden and her husband of 65 years, “Van” - Aubrey Harry Van Kuren. They were married December 20, 1943 in Warwick, RI. When they met, he was in the US Navy and stationed in Newport, RI. Anita and Van moved to Port Saxon, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1972 from Greenwich, CT and enjoyed their summer life very much: sailing their boat, gardening and working in the woods. Anita’s greatest pleasures were raising her children, homemaking, baking and cooking, knitting, sewing, crafts and recreational vehicle traveling. In addition, she was a bookkeeper, secretary, and fashion design artist. She attended Port Clyde-Saxon United Church of Canada in Port Clyde, Nova Scotia and belonged to the Leisure Hour Club in Port Saxon, Nova Scotia. She was a member of Gateway Presbyterian Church, The Dalles, OR after transferring recently from First Presbyterian Church, Naples, FL. She is survived by her daughters: Barbara Sue Van Kuren and her husband, Floyd Boyce, Halifax, Nova Scotia and Jane Ellen Van Kuren Welp, The Dalles, OR; two grandchildren: Mason Andrew Welp and his fiancé, Meegan McDonald, Mill Creek, WA and Melissa Kiel (Welp) McKinney and her husband, Matthew McKinney, Sherwood, OR; four great grandchildren, Riley Matthew McKinney, Caden William Welp, Asher Van Kuren Welp, Britton Alivia Alt; a sister in law, Helen (Van Kuren) Bodden, Cincinnati, OH; a brother-in-law, Carl Van Kuren, Northport, FL and his 5 children: David, Kevin, Mark, Lisa and Cheryl all of whom live on the East Coast. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Providence Hospice of the Gorge and the Oregon Veterans Home for their support in Anita’s final days. A memorial service will be held August 3 at 11 am at Gateway Presbyterian Church, 1111 Dry Hollow Road, The Dalles, OR with Pastor Tim Vance officiating. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home and Win-Quatt Crematory are in charge of the arrangements.