Lillian LaVon Beaston's Obituary
Lillian LaVon Beaston, age 85, of St. Helens Oregon, passed away peacefully on July 26, 2023. Born on March 2, 1938, in Timnath, Colorado, Lillian moved to St. Helens in 1940 and spent most of her life there.
At the age of 26 Lillian welcomed her fifth child, Delbert Wayne, who was mentally and physically handicapped. She spent the remainder of her life working tirelessly for the well-being of her son and other disabled children including fighting for their inclusion in mainstream schools and working to improve recreational and employment opportunities for the special needs community.
Lillian was known for her unwavering commitment to volunteer service. She served as a board member for the local ARC which promotes and defends the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She was an avid supporter of the Special Olympics, HELP Inc., Girl Scouts of America, the United Way, Riverside Training Center, Oregon Games for the Physically Limited, American Red Cross, Columbia Hills Retirement Center, the Educational Service District, Family Counseling Center, the Food Bank, the St. Helens and Scappoose Senior Centers, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, the Columbia County Humane Society, the St. Helens and Scappoose Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxillary, the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, and many other places around Columbia County. If there was a need, she was happy to fill it.
Additionally, Lillian was a proud member of the Red Hat Society, St. Helens Women's Bowling Leagues, St. Helens Moose Lodge, where she enjoyed the camaraderie and vibrant activities of the group. She had a great passion for bowling and traveling with her teammates to the tournaments, she cherished the friends she made and excitement of the game, which was a beloved part of her life. Lillian also had a great group of friends that met to play Bunco, drove to many vacations, seeing historical sites and their special place on Lopez Island. They also sailed on cruise ships to exotic places.
Lillian is fondly remembered by her descendants as a quiet, but fierce advocate for the causes she believed in and the people she loved. The list of those she considered family extends beyond those mentioned here, as she was always quick to love and embrace anyone that her loved ones loved.
Lillian was married to Stephen J. Young, Robert C. Mott, and Delbert R. Beaston. She is survived by her children: Pamala (Steve) Coddington, Robert Young, and Everett Beaston. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Jenni (Rich) Townsend, Kevin (Nancy Jo) Coddington, Alan (Stephanie) Coddington, Jason Young, Robyn (Rob) Buhl, Logan Young, Hope Young, Greg (Jessica) Beaston, Dustin Armstrong, Eric Steffen, Amber Steffen, Brittany Beaston and 24 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harlan H. Housley and Mae M. Headley Housley; her daughter Patricia (Donald) Willsey; her son Delbert Wayne Beaston; her grandchildren Danny Willsey, Angela Willsey, Brandon Beaston, and Crystal Beaston; great-grandson, Evan Armstrong, and her siblings Richard Morse of Arizona, Maxine Wilson of St. Helens, OR, and Larry H. Housley of St. Helens, OR.
Lillian’s warmth, generosity, and dedication to helping others will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her legacy of community service and joy in life will continue to inspire those whose lives she touched.
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