Donations in memory

Four organizations were present in Jim's life at the very end. Two were part of his routine for decades, while the other two arrived on the scene in mid-December.

The Downtown Chapel of St. Vincent de Paul was the one organization to which Jim gave financial support in his later years. Downtown Chapel is the Roman Catholic church closest to Jim's longtime apartment downtown. Its Open Door Ministries "bring healing and hope to our neighbors in Old Town Portland" through programs such as a hospitality center, a food pantry, and the Brother Andre Cafe. Jim's funeral Mass at Downtown Chapel was full of beauty, humor, love and spirit. Three of his fellow parishioners spoke of the ways Jim ministered to members of the congregation simply through his faithful presence at the Vigil Mass at 5 p.m. each Saturday. Downtown Chapel has a special financial need right now because their elevator isn't working. The sanctuary is on the main floor, but the gathering space and restrooms and other amenities are upstairs.

The sound of All Classical Radio 89.9 was a hallmark of Jim's presence at the nursing home. He and his visitors listened for many hours each day, sometimes while watching golf or football on TV with the sound turned down. Many people remarked on the beauty and peace in his room; the quilts and classical music were responsible for much of this quality (as were prayer and love). "A Permanent Home on Your Dial" is the station's campaign to finish purchasing their broadcasting license from Portland Public Schools.

Jim became a patient of the Hospice program of Providence Hospital about a week before Christmas. The hospice nurse, chaplain and social worker collaborated beautifully with Jim's doctor and the West Hills staff to help him understand what was happening and be physically and mentally comfortable. They helped family find meaning and peace as well.

The third and final visit from Sacred Flight took place the night before Jim died. Sacred Flight is "a palliative music practice for end-of-life care...an organization of music thanatologists offering the prescriptive qualities of live music with harp and voice at the bedside of people who are terminally ill and dying." Jim quietly and powerfully appreciated the harpists' work. Staff and visitors who were present treasured the experience as well.