Friends, loved ones, former colleagues and fans of late Portland mayor Vera Katz will have the opportunity to celebrate the political pioneer at the Portland Art Museum on Jan. 28.

The Sunday afternoon memorial will honor the life of Oregon's first female House Speaker, whose tough but warm political style won her three terms as Portland's mayor. The memorial begins at 2 p.m. Doors will open at 1:15 p.m.

Katz died last month at 84 after being diagnosed with leukemia. She had survived breast cancer and an aggressive cancer of the reproductive system and faced kidney complications brought on by chemotherapy.

Her son Jesse Katz said in a statement that the event will honor Katz's introverted nature by staying away from the pomp and circumstance she typically avoided.

"Mom always said that the most important thing to her was to make a difference," Jesse Katz said in the statement.

The Los Angeles journalist remembered his mother as a loving Jewish immigrant who strove to serve her adopted home.

"Based on the condolences I've received these past few weeks, I can see just how many lives she touched—how profoundly she inspired others to do more and be better," Jesse Katz said.

Katz's family has asked that those who wish to honor Katz donate to the Lan Su Chinese Garden, arts organizations or a public school foundation instead of bringing flowers.

--Jessica Floum

503-221-8306

@cityhallwatch

@jfloum