LaDessa Lindsay (Burroughs) Sells

LaDessa Lindsay Sells

Dec. 17, 1918 - June 7, 2015

LaDessa Lindsay Sells passed away at age 96 with family at her side on June 7th of congestive heart failure. She is survived by two  daughters, Bonita and Christina. She was born to LaDessa Munsell Burroughs and Arthur Burroughs in NYC Dec. 17, 1918. Her mom and dad moved west in the mid 20’s and were forced to live with various family members while her dad suffered from heart disease, finally succumbing when LaDessa was only 12. Her mom valiantly fought to support her little family of one child and her own mom, eventually becoming able to make a living at the Ocean Park, Wa. family home selling curios made from beach materials, and renting out cottages to summer tourists. LaDessa met her future husband, Gale Sells at this time and they were married in 1939, moving to Portland, Oregon, to a home that was originally part of a small farm on NE Prescott Street. During the war years, Gale’s partnership company, Radio Specialty Mfg. Co. manufactured electronic communications equipment used by the armed forces and LaDessa worked there at times as well. After the war ended Bonita and Christina came along. The family also included LaDessa’s mom who shared their home and Gale’s mom and stepdad who lived next door and operated Van’s Barbershop. Gale and LaDessa were part of the ONO Dancers, The Peasant Folk Dancers, later renamed The Bavarian Folk Dancers, dance groups and spent many a happy hour doing practice sessions (in their own basement for more than 50 yrs) and then community performances with these groups including many Octoberfest's, the Rose Festival, and other festivals around Oregon and Washington. LaDessa became a Girl Scout troop leader in support of her girls and became involved with teaching dancing to many Brownies and then Girl Scouts. Later, in their middle years Gale and LaDessa taught many school groups folk and ballroom dancing and inspired many a child with the love of dance. Many former students would remember LaDessa and Gale as being responsible for turning them on to their passion for dancing. In the 70’s and 80’s LaDessa worked as a beloved supervisor in the backrooms of US Bank. She and Gale would take trips throughout their life together in their camper whenever they could exploring the Western US and the most beautiful places and National Parks. Inspired much by these travels, LaDessa turned out beautiful paintings: landscapes, seascapes, still-life, animals and portraiture which expressed her absolute love of nature, the sciences, people and every living thing. LaDessa devotedly nurtured her beloved Gale throughout his life supporting him in every endeavor and hobby and eventually through illness to his death 2004.

She was always selfless, non-materialistic and fiercely looked out for any underdog or friend in need of support that she could help. She had a poetic way of phrasing things, with an extremely creative vocabulary. She was also the one in the crowd who hooted and hollered at a performance or a job well done. She was the glue of the family. Wherever she spent time, including in her final months at the hospital, the nursing home, and eventually at Parkview Memory Care, she left a trail of people in love with her and offering to do extra for her and wanting to keep in touch with her. She was kindness, love, humor, enthusiasm, playfulness and wisdom embodied. Despite memory loss, during her last months and days she would often tell caretakers and her children and friends who visited that she loved them, and would offer bits of nurturing wisdom up until the last moment that she could speak. LaDessa was truly a magnificent example of a fine human being who is sorely missed by many.

Please contact the family for memorial service information.