Today the Memorial of the life of Sally Alene Nofziger will take place. While my work commitments make it impossible for me to attend, I will never forget the meeting and good time we had together as her family (Kehrli, Smathers, Nofzigers) gathered together in Hillsboro in August of 2022. I met the family because their history and roots dive deep into the soils of greater Orenco. Most of them went to our local schools with rich lives and many great stories. At the meeting at Sally’s property just East of the Best Buy on Cornelius Pass, we spent a few hours talking, looking at old photos, and appreciating the time we had together.
Today I am posting that interview, her obituary, and my many thanks to her and her family for their service to greater Hillsboro and beyond and to honor Sally’s ancestors.
Here is Sally’s Obituary-
Sally Alene Nofziger, 86, a resident of the Hillsboro community passed away on February 23, 2023, at her Adult Foster Care Home.
Sally was born on July 5, 1936, in San Francisco, California. She was the first of four children born to John and A. Lena (Kehrli) Smathers. She was raised in California until age 10, when her family moved to Oregon. She attended 8th grade at Orenco Grade School and graduated from Hilhi with the Class of 1954.
Immediately after high school, Sally joined the workforce at Pacific Power, starting in the typing pool. After her children were raised, Sally continued her education earning first her Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Economics and finally earned her MBA. Sally retired as the Vice President and Corporate Secretary of PacifiCorp in 1999. With her job she traveled to many places across the US and to Australia.
Sally met her future husband, Charles Nofziger, in the 8th grade at Orenco. They were high school sweethearts and married on November 11, 1955. They made their first home in Cooper Mountain, before moving to the family farm in Hillsboro. Shortly after, they started their family, having two boys.
She was an active member of Sunset Presbyterian church and filled in as business manager for a year after her retirement from PacifiCorp.
Sally was an avid reader. Often, she would be reading three books simultaneously and in recent years she would have a real book, an audio book, and a book on her tablet active all at the same time. She also loved listening to audio books. She also enjoyed knitting, tending to her plants and flowers, and hosting family gatherings where her strawberry shortcake was a must.
Chuck and Sally traveled the world starting with visits to her cousins at the yearly Kehrli reunion, taking trips with her cousins to Africa, Russia, and Europe, taking trips through their church to Europe and then finally taking her family to Salzburg, Italy, London, Wales, Scotland, and the Holy Land.
She is preceded in death by her husband; Charles Nofziger, her son Ron, and her parents.
She is survived by her son Paul and Nancy Nofziger of Hillsboro, three brothers; John and Renata Smathers of Colorado, Doug Smathers of New Mexico, David, and Becky Smathers of Texas, three grandchildren; Jacob and Jessica Nofziger of Walla Walla, Katelyn Nofziger of Hillsboro, Jesse Nofziger of Hillsboro, one great grandchild; Waylon Charles Nofziger and many nieces and nephews.
Celebration of life will be April 1st, 2023, 2:00 pm at Sunset Church, 14986 NW Cornell Rd, Portland OR 97229
Here, in her very own words, is Sally as I interview her about her roots, family, and memories of a bygone era-
Sally, you will be missed! Thank you for our time and for keeping our History alive!
