Phyllis Alene Linehan

Alene Linehan passed away in Astoria from complications of Alzheimer’s disease at age 87.

Alene was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, to P.M. and Frances Rohrbaugh. When Alene was a small child, her family moved to California, where her only sibling, Paula, was born.

Alene graduated from Chaffey Union High School in Ontario, California. She received a bachelor of arts degree from Occidental College, a certificate in occupational therapy from the University of Southern California, and completed internships from both Norwalk Hospital in Los Angeles, California, and Morningside Hospital in Seattle, Washington.

Alene and Charles both attended USC. The two first met at a USC-sponsored square dance when he asked her for a bobby pin to fix the public-address equipment. Their first official date was to attend a medical fraternity dance. This led to an extraordinary marriage of 63 years. Alene married Dr. Charles K. Linehan on June 6, 1953, in Upland, California. In 1957, they moved to Astoria, Oregon. After raising five boys, Alene worked as an OTR at Columbia Memorial Hospital.

Alene was very active in the local community. She joined the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority in 1959, and remained a lifetime member. She was a 4-H entomology and leathercraft teacher, member of Clatsop County REACT (citizen band radio), member of Search and Rescue, an “Amateur Extra” license ham radio operator (KA7CXP), and participated in square dancing with the Astoria Hayshakers.

She was a founding member of the local branch of the Society for Creative Anachronism, known as the Shire of Herons Reach. Alene engaged lifelong in the multiplicity of fiber arts, was a lifetime honored member of the Clatsop Weavers and Spinners Guild, and performed spinning demonstrations at guild shows and fairs.

Alene is survived by her husband, Charles; her sister, Paula Rohrbaugh of Salem; her sons Allan (Bridget Young) of Louisville, Kentucky, Keith (Margy) of Beaverton, Bruce (Joie Fisher) of Knappa, Lauren (Dawn Bauleke) of Livermore, California, and Clifford (Lena) of Portland; her grandchildren, Chelsea (Nathanael) Moss of Portland, Keegan (Tyler) Maloney of Portland, Elaine and Madeleine Linehan of Louisville, Kentucky, Craig Linehan of

Beaverton, Kaitlyn (Ryan) Linehan of Portland, Blake Linehan of Portland, Amber (Clem) Polen of Ridgefield, Washington; and five great-grandchildren.

Alene was preceded in death by her father, P.W.; mother, Francis Rohrbaugh; and a daughter-in-law, Anita “Neen” Linehan.

A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Astoria on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 11 a.m. A reception follows in the Fellowship Hall.