Agnes passed in the home she lived in for 59 years surrounded by family.
She succumbed to hydrocephalus, dementia and advanced age after surviving bad perms, an Italian mother-in-law and being a stay-at-home mother.
Excelling in school, Agnes participated in track & field, 4-H, and played the underappreciated xylophone. She was Umatilla High School’s class valedictorian of 12 graduating students.
Agnes had an innate sense of nurturing from her early years, eventually leading her to enroll in The Dalles Nursing School. Her first job at San Francisco General Hospital proved to be quite a culture shock. After a couple of years she returned to Oregon to work at Good Samaritan in N.W. Portland.
It was in Portland, that she met her future husband, Louie, on a blind date. They shared the love for 43 years until Louie’s passing in 2001. She was a quiet democrat and Louie was a loud republican. She was the tonic to his gin, mellowing him out a bit. But, just a bit.
Waiting to be a wife/mother for quite some time, Agnes ended her nursing career to begin her new career as devoted mother. She felt blessed to have four children. Even when it got crazy at times, and it did, Agnes had the patience of a saint.
The Dyer home was a gathering place in the neighborhood. Agnes made certain all kids were welcomed, entertained, and had a homemade chocolate chip oatmeal cookie.
Loving Christmas, Agnes decorated almost every room of the house. She looked forward to midnight Mass. The Dyer house was a winter wonderland. And she was blessed to give birth to her son, Peter, on Christmas day.
Working in the yard and tending to flowers was a favorite past time, as was reading. Many hours were spent on the patio enjoying the gardens with a good book.
She was an active volunteer with St. John Fisher Altar Guild, Assoc. Children with Learning Disabilities and Meals on Wheels.
Continuing the nurturing she cared for her mother, Anna, until her passing at 97. Sitting close to a 60″ screen TV Agnes was able to continue watching sports as her eyesight and hearing diminished. Her favorites were U of O football and the Trailblazers. When asked how she was feeling, Agnes always replied the same “I’m fine.” Jokingly, we told her that would be inscribed on her headstone. Agnes was a life-long Roman Catholic. Attending daily Mass at St. John Fisher until she stopped driving at 85 after plowing through her daughter’s garage door.
Agnes had three loves in her life: God, family and sweets.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis; sisters, Catharine and Mary Margaret; and brother, Donald.Survived by sons, Christopher and Peter; daughters, Kathleen (Bill) and Ann; and grandchildren, Keelie, Miles and Keegan.
Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, August 5, 2017, at St. John Fisher Catholic Church.
In Agnes’ memory, be patient, be kind, and enjoy a cookie.
In lieu of flowers; please make a contribution to: St. John Fisher Altar Guild, Golden Bond Rescue of Oregon.

Funeral Mass

10:00 AM ,Saturday, August 5, 2017
St. John Fisher Catholic Church