Obituary: Barbara Frances Strickland Bailey, 84, The Dalles

Barbara Frances Strickland Bailey (84), of The Dalles, Oregon, died on Mother’s Day, May 10, 2026, at her home.

She was born in 1941, to Rex Strickland and Lorena Matthews Strickland in Seattle, Washington. Barbara grew up on Magnolia in Seattle before moving to Edmonds, Washington where she attended high school, trained her Appaloosa horse “Palouse”, and water skied on Puget Sound. Although she spent her freshman year of college at Washington State University, she graduated from University of Puget Sound where she was a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority.

She met her future husband on a blind date, and made him wait for her while her father made sure he was acceptable. She married Bob Bailey in 1963. She moved to her husband’s cherry farm in The Dalles, Oregon and had two children, Brenda Frances and Bridget Suzanne.

Barbara was married for 62 years, and lived a life centered around farming, traveling, and trying to make the world a better place. Her work was as varied as teaching 6th graders at Dry Hollow Elementary, and later, serving as President of her family real estate business. Barbara’s advocacy as a “Concerned Citizen” resulted in the relocation of a planned Zirconium plant away from the Columbia River Gorge. She also testified before Congress to create the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Later, Governor Roberts appointed Barbara to serve on the initial Columbia River Gorge Commission. She beautified her community as a Master Gardner, and by creating a public green space along Mill Creek, where the Fort Dalles US Army horses were tethered and cared for.

Barbara backpacked in the Wallowa Mountains and the Three Sisters Wilderness. She trekked the Himalayas with her brother Tom, guided by her friend Tenzing Norgay. She purchased a beach house on the Oregon coast and lovingly renovated it to share with friends and family. She studied dressage, Italian cooking, and gardening techniques in Britain and France. She loved all animals, and especially her corgis.

Barbara is survived by her husband Bob (The Dalles, Oregon), daughters Brenda (Thomas) and Bridget (Nisley Bailey), son-in laws Sterling Thomas (The Dalles Oregon), Eric Nisley (Madras, Oregon), grandson Augustus Thomas (Chicago, Illinois), grand-daughter Elizabeth Nisley Bailey (San Francisco, California), sister Nancy (Port Townsend, Washington) and brother Tom (Edmonds, Washington). She was preceded in death by her sister Lorena. Memorials or donations may be made to Friends of the Columbia Gorge or Columbia Gorge Humane Society.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral home in care of arrangements.

Obituary: Gerine Minnette Mackey, The Dalles

Gerine Minnette Mackey, known as Geri, passed away peacefully in her home on May 15, 2025. Geri and her sister Jackie were born September 9, 1962, to Ceila and Jack Lorts in Norwalk California.

From an early age, Geri was adventurous, whether it was performing with her parents or cooking up mischief with her sister, Geri was determined to succeed in everything she did. When the girls were 11, Geri’s family relocated to Douglas County, Oregon. Geri attended high school at South Umpqua High School and graduated from Canyonville Bible Academy in 1980. 

Geri’s first love was musical theater, she attended college at Southern Oregon University and Umpqua Community College, where she studied theater. Geri spent many years active in the UACT community theater in Douglas County. She also participated in and won many karaoke contests and spent several years in the choir at Roseburg First United Methodist Church.

  In 2002, Geri and her children relocated to The Dalles, where she called home for the rest of her life. She was active in recovery programs for the first many years. She worked at Dennys, where she was well known for her wonderful service and community connections. Geri was a tender-hearted woman with a deep, deep passion to see equality in the world. She was an advocate for women, LGBTQ, the homeless, and countless other persecuted persons and groups. Always clad in dresses of pink, purple, and tie-dye. Geri never missed a festival or gathering, but she was always the happiest when she was rooting for her Niners. One of her greatest joys was watching NFL 49ers football with her children and grandchildren, especially her grandson Timmy, with whom she even got to attend a game, a lifelong goal.

  Geri is survived by her children, Ashara, Aubrey, Olivia, Portia and bonus children Ronald, Drew, Brendon and Margaret, her mother Celia, and her sisters Jacqueline and Virginia, as well as her grandchildren Kendra, Malachi, Jestina, Jeremiah, Jemini, Timothy, Alyson, August, Bennett, Atticus, Celia, Kaydence, Skylar, Carson and Zoey. She was preceded in death by her daughter Alyssa, husband Bill, and her Father Jack.

A lover of music, theater, sports, and community, but most of all her family, Geri will be missed beyond words. Her love, passions, and legacy will live on forever in her children and grandchildren for generations to come.

A Celebration of Life will be held May 31, 2025, 2:00 p.m. at The Dalles First United Methodist Church, 305 E. 11th Street, The Dalles, Oregon. Spencer, Libby, and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.