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Ann Leo ’65

Journalist, teacher, and lifelong Oregonian, Ann was born in 1922 and raised on Clinton Street in Portland. She attended Hosford grade school and graduated from Franklin High School in 1940. Ann began her 48-year marriage to Gene Leo Sr. on Christmas Eve of 1942. After graduating from the University of Oregon School of Journalism in 1944, Ann began working as a reporter for the Oregon Journal. She wrote children’s stories and served in public relations capacities for the Portland Zoo, Goodrich & Snyder, and the Portland Reporter.

In 1965, she earned a master of arts in teaching from Reed, after which she taught English and literature at Portland’s Washington and Roosevelt high schools. Ann always maintained, “I don’t teach English, I teach kids.” But she considered her greatest accomplishment was raising “three fine boys.” Gene “Geno” Jr. was executive director of the Portland Zoo and Rose Festival and tourism director for the Portland Oregon Visitors Association, Greg has an active career in community and public affairs, and Roger is a successful Portland attorney.

She was predeceased by her husband and son Gene Jr. Her sons Roger (daughter-in-law Joy) and Greg and her grandson, William, survive her.

Appeared in Reed magazine: March 2016

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