Obituaries

Gayle Ann (née Ingolia) Jimenez, 82, died peacefully at Hopewell House on August 24th after living gracefully with cancer. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, 3400 SE 43rd Avenue, Portland, Oregon at 2:00 PM on Thursday August 31st with reception to follow. An interment ceremony and celebration of life will be held in New Orleans, LA in late November 2023.

She was born the only daughter of John and Camille Ingolia on September 22, 1940, in New Orleans, LA. Although an only child, she enjoyed the company of a large extended family of Ingolias and McCarthys. After excelling at Holy Angels Academy, she enrolled in college at Loyola University New Orleans. There, through the alphabetical arrangement of their last names, she met Tristan Jimenez. They quickly fell in love, bonding over their shared interests in music, dancing and travel, as well as their strong Catholic faith, marrying in 1962.

After a few years in the military, Tristan and Gayle returned to New Orleans where they spent 15 bountiful years before settling in Northern Kentucky with their 5 children in 1979. Gayle was devoted to family and dedicated herself to raising her children, instilling in them the values of compassion, communication, fairness, and love.

Realizing that her dedication to family extended beyond her immediate family, Gayle pursued and attained a masters degree in Family Studies from the University of Kentucky and had a full career as a marriage and family educator and counselor at Catholic Charities, making a lasting difference by helping parents and families gain the skills needed to thrive. Outside of work, Gayle and Tristan found time to enjoy their passion for new places, travelling domestically and abroad to experience new cultures.

Gayle moved to Portland in 2016, and found new ways to share her values. She became active within the congregation at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, working with their Just Faith group for social justice, and the JV EnCorps program, volunteering in support of ecological justice and spirituality/reflection. She continued to learn and grow through her many classes and activities with Senior Studies Institute through Portland Community College. Wherever she went, Gayle’s warmth and sincerity attracted friends and admirers.

Gayle was predeceased by her parents, her daughter-in-law Jenny Jimenez, and by her loving husband of 53 years, Tristan. She is survived by her five children (and partners), Bryan (Susan Parsons) Jimenez of Portland, OR, Kevin Jimenez of Columbus, OH, Carla (Laura Hassell) Jimenez of Portland, OR, Reese (Patti DeBow) Jimenez of Washington, D.C., and David (Lindsay Hixson) Jimenez of Portland, OR. She also leaves behind her 7 grandchildren, Kathryn (Michelle Neidigh) Jimenez, Andrew Jimenez, Daniel (Casey Bradley) Jimenez, Galtero (Heather Schorr) Jimenez, Angela Espersen, Talon Hixenez, Seaver Hixenez, and her three great-grandchildren, Wesley, Tristan, and Camille.

Gayle's family is grateful for the love of her friends and for the care extended by health providers at the end of her full and extraordinary life. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Loyola University New Orleans Student Hardship Fund, New Orleans, LA, Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest, Portland, OR or Northern Kentucky Community Chorus, Lakeside Park, KY.