Kirky grew up in Lake Oswego, Oregon with her parents and her brother Stu.  She graduated from Lake Oswego High School and went on to attend Oregon State University.  She earned her Masters in Education at Portland State University.

Kirky lived for many years in Southwest Portland, where she raised her 4 children; Katy, John, Tom, and Jeremy.

She was a lifelong learner and educator, teaching in both Wilsonville and West LInn school districts.

Kirky was very involved and dedicated to volunteering and working in her community for important causes, such as the Southwest Portland Neighborhood Coalition, the Collins View Neighborhood Association, among many others.  She received the Spirit of Portland Award in 2000, for her volunteerism and commitment to the Southwest Neighborhoods Parks and Community initiatives.

She was a kind spirit and opened her heart and home to others.  As some of her children’s friends refer to her as the “den mother” to all.  She was an enthusiastic supporter of all of her children’s activities and interests – and never missed a game, a recital, a graduation, or any event involving her children.

Kirky was an avid fan of college athletics, specifically the Oregon State Beavers.  She would always read the sports section of the Oregonian before anything else and would be able to recite statistics from game to game.

People who knew Kirky, know that she was down to earth and loved sharing her time with her family and friends and friends of friends.  She was very committed to her spiritual beliefs and dedicated herself to her faith and her church.  She wasn’t as concerned about things as she was about people – and always treated others, even those she didn’t know, with kindness.

Kirky was proud of being Finnish and her heritage.  As part of the Finnish culture, the word “Sisu” accurately reflects her character.  Sisu is defined as “a compound of bravado and bravery of ferocity and tenacity of the ability to keep fighting after most people would have quit and to fight with the will to win”.  Kirky persisted in being resilient of mind and body her entire life and she lived life her way.

Kirky is survived by her family members;  Katy Gravatt and her husband Doug and grandchildren Erik and Morgan, Tom and his wife Mindi and their children; Milli, Carson and Anders and Jeremy and his wife, Andria and their children McKenna and Wilder.  She is also survived by her brother Stuart and his wife Kay and their children Eric and Meredith.

In honor of Kirky’s life – please plant a flower or a tree that will bring joy to you and to others.