Lorah Kate Copenhaver

April 12, 1925 - March 21, 2024 - Lorah Kate Copenhaver of Newberg, 98, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2024, surrounded by family and compassionate carers at Friendsview and Providence Hospice. Kate was known for her delightful company, thoughtfulness, drive, intelligence, and fierce advocacy for herself and others. Her greatest joy was in raising her four children.

Mom felt fortunate to be living and working in Newberg among cherished friends. With Masters Degrees in biology and education, she taught biology at Renne Junior High starting in 1972 and became principal of Ewing Young Elementary School. She served on the boards of the Friends of Newberg Library, the Newberg Community Hospital, the Newberg School District and Leadership Newberg, and joined many other organizations.

After retiring in 1988, Kate pursued many hobbies, notably a garden and home-grown apple orchard in her back yard, earning the nickname, Apple Kate. She continued to work on various projects in town—with a focus on helping people get enough food. She was shocked and honored to be named Citizen of the Year 1992 by the Newberg Chamber of Commerce.

Kate was born in Salem to loving parents Lewis Dalrymple Griffith and Ila Spaulding Griffith. Both were children of families who came early to the Willamette Valley. Kate’s grandfather Spaulding was a pioneering lumberman who started the sawmill in Newberg. Grandfather Griffith was an early Oregon dentist.

Kate married John Copenhaver of Salem three days after her 21st birthday at the end of World War II. Redmond was their longtime home. In the late 1960’s, with family life at a crossroads, Kate resumed her education and accepted the job in Newberg. Living modestly, Mom managed to limit her grocery budget by growing much of her own food and putting it by. She gave generously to various cancer causes, Wounded Warrior Project, the Newberg Oregon Pioneers’ Cemetery, Oregon Humane Society, and many others. Kate was a great woman who inspired others with her humor, warmth, adventurous spirit, and unassuming knowledge about many things. One of her favorite sayings was a quotation from Satchel Paige, posted on the refrigerator next to Michelangelo’s David, “Don’t look back, something might be gaining on you.” She did indeed seem ever youthful. For her, life was about looking forward to a smorgasbord of just so many fascinating things to do.

Kate is survived by her daughter Karen (Mike) Prahl, and sons John (Dana) Copenhaver, Bill (Cathy) Copenhaver, and Jim (Connie) Copenhaver. She is also survived by grandchildren Billy and Jimmy Prahl, Chris Voigt, Tiffany Fahrner, Courtney McMullen, Mike and Steve Copenhaver, and Danny Copenhaver; 16 great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her grandson, Johnny Copenhaver, and brother, John Griffith. On what would have been her 99th birthday, our dear mother/Gaga was laid to rest at City View Funeral Home and Cemetery in Salem, and a celebration of life was held in her honor. Memories of Kate are welcomed and may be shared online at cityviewfh.com.