In Memoriam: Deanne L. Wahlstrom, OT ’90

Deanne Wahlstrom OT ’90 died Aug. 3, 2022, at age 61. She was born in Lebanon, Ore., to Dick and Doris Wahlstrom and lived in Sweet Home, Ore., until she was 3 years old. The family, including her older brother David, moved to Northeast Portland where she lived most of her life. She attended Gregory Heights Grade School and Madison High School and graduated from Pacific University in 1990. In 1993, she became the mother of Samuel. She was an avid camper and took Sam with her on trips throughout Oregon. 

She was always active. She was a rock climber, hiker, mountain climber, and participated in the Hood to Coast team run and Astoria Bridge Walk. She thrived in her career as an occupational therapist, working in home health and helping her patients overcome obstacles to living a full life. She attended New Song church and was a founding elder of Abiding Place Christian Fellowship. Wahlstrom was committed to serving as an enthusiastic member of the worship team, dedicated prayer leader, home group member, and mission trip traveler in the U.S. as well as to Turkey and India. Her smile, laugh and bubbly spirit was infectious and she impacted countless people who were blessed by her positive "silver lining" approach to adversity. 

Wahlstrom was preceded in death by her parents, Dick and Doris. She is survived by her son, Samuel Wahlstrom; brother, David Wahlstrom; and nieces, Lindsay Darr and Lauren Wahlstrom (Ryan).