MacKenzie J’ai Fletcher, born in Portland, Oregon on July 28, 1976, passed away at home on October 11, 2021 unexpectedly from a pulmonary embolism.

She attended Richmond grade school, Mt. Tabor middle school and then transferred and finished her eighth grade year at Schuebel School after moving to Bevercreek. She then went on to attend Molalla high school; when she became pregnant with her first child, she left school and went on to receive her GED while staying at the Elizabeth House.

MacKenzie was diagnosed with childhood leukemia at the age of 3 and was a survivor. She was told she wouldn’t have the ability to bear children and she defied her odds and had her first of three at 17. She loved being a mother, and had a lot of empathy for children in need. She often ended up taking in teens that needed a home. She was also a lover of animals, a classic cat lady at some moments of her life. She held a lot of adoration for all of her fur babies throughout life. MacKenzie loved dressing up and going to sing and frequently sang karaoke with friends at the Canton Grill in Portland before it closed due to the pandemic. She attended Grand View Baptist Church, where she taught a special needs Bible class for some time. MacKenzie loved board games, one her favorite being clue; she always insisted on playing as Miss Scarlet. She loved arts and crafts, always cutting up snowflakes in the winter time. One of her favorite crafts were paper fashion dolls; she loved shopping at Joann Fabrics and Micheal’s for new prints and other crafts to fill her spare time. At the time of her death, she was working as a caregiver at Spring Ridge Assisted Living, where she bonded with and loved her residents with all her heart. She was a woman with an abundance of warmth and love, and she was always there for anyone, at any time.

Mackenzie is survived by her mother, Laura Hoggatt, two brothers, Preston and Chris, a sister, Robyn, her three children, Gavhyan, Raliegh and Emmalea. And her kitty Aries.

A celebration of life will be held in the fall of 2022 to honor her life.