Jacqueline Hossler Vera Katz, who helped turn Portland into hipster haven, dies

Uncasville — Jacqueline A. Hossler, 70, of Park Avenue Extension, Uncasville, died Friday night, Dec. 15, at her residence.

She was born June 8, 1947, in New London, the daughter of Harry and Alice Thomas Schroeder. Mrs. Hossler was married to her husband, Clair T. Hossler, in Groton, on July 7, 1964.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Sandra Montgomery of Ledyard; two brothers, Shay Schroeder and Stevie Schroeder, both of Groton; three sisters, Dolores Sullivan of Waterford, Denise Goins and Nancy Kexel, both of Groton; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a daughter.

A Celebration of her Life will be held on June 8, 2018, her birthday, at a place and time to be announced in the future. There are no calling hours.

Byles Memorial Home, 99 Huntington St., New London, is assisting with the arrangements. Please visit www.byles. com to sign the guestbook or to share a memory. You may also visit Byles Memorial Home on Facebook to share the obituary.

Portland, Ore. (AP) — Vera Katz, a Jewish refugee who was elected to three terms as Portland’s mayor and helped transform it from a sleepy backwater into a trendy city known for its public transit, eco-conscious design and livework architecture style, has died. She was 84.

Katz was diagnosed with acute leukemia this month after undergoing dialysis for more than a dozen years following cancer treatment.

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden called Katz an “indomitable woman” who left a lasting impact on Oregon and its largest city. She also served as first female speaker of the Oregon House.

A visionary urban planner with the ability to reach across the aisle, Katz oversaw plans for the internationally known Pearl District and neighborhoods along the Willamette River that changed the city into a hipster haven and international tourist destination.

A champion of the arts, Katz also oversaw construction of Lan Su Yuan, an intricate Suzhou-style Chinese garden in the heart of the city’s old town that draws visitors from around the world.

“Vera Katz was more than a pioneer. She was a force. She escaped the Nazis. She battled cancer. She ran the House. She ran the city. She was a natural leader. Vera led and people followed,” said Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney. “Oregon has lost a great human being.”

Katz served three terms as Portland’s mayor, from 1993 to 2005 — a critical period for a city that was on the cusp of evolution.

Katz was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 and an aggressive form of uterine cancer in 2004.

— 2-4:30 p.m., Groton Public Library, 52 Newtown Road; through Wed.; also Saturday, 9:3011:30 a.m.; one-on-one technology help; free; call to schedule (860) 4416750.

— Fairview Odd Fellows Home of CT, 235 Lestertown Road, Groton; drop off new or gently used coats, hats and gloves for seniors in the New London County during the month of December; (860) 445-3235.

— 8:30-10:30 a.m., New London Senior Center, 120 Broad St.; also Wed. and Fri.; 34 classes for $125; ages 55+; call to sign up (860) 447-5232.

— 10-11 a.m., East Lyme Senior Center, 37 Society Road; also Wed.; 30 classes for $50; $55 non-residents; call to register (860) 739-5859.

— 5-6 p.m., Groton Senior Center, 102 Newtown Road; also Wed.; 8 weeks for $60; (860) 4416785.

— 4-5 p.m., Groton Senior Center, 102 Newtown Road; also Wed. and Fri.; 8-weeks for $72; (860) 441-6785.

— 10:30 a.m., Estuary Council of Seniors, Inc., 220 Main St., Old Saybrook; $6; also Thursday; (860) 388-1611.

— 1 p.m., Estuary Council of Seniors, 220 Main St., Old Saybrook; free; call to register (203) 458-6268.

— 9:30-11:30 a.m., East Lyme Senior Center, 37 Society Road; $2; call to register (860) 739-5859.

— 6:30-8:30 p.m., Groton Bible Chapel, 66 Tollgate Road; Hurts, Habits, Hang-ups, Addiction; (860) 445-1760.

— 7-8:45 p.m., Waterford Community Center, 24 Rope Ferry Road; (860) 334-2833.

— 9 a.m., Saye Brooke Village, 55 Sheffield St., Old Saybrook; weigh in and meeting; first meeting is free.

— 5:15-6 p.m., Harkness Chapel, Connecticut College, New London; free.

— 10 a.m., Estuary Council of Seniors, 220 Main St., Old Saybrook; $4; ages 50+; (860) 3881611.

— 27 Chase St.; 9:15-10:15 a.m., zumba lite; 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., painting class; 11:30 a.m., lunch; noon-1:30 p.m., bingo; 1:30-2:30 p.m., gentle yoga; 1:30-3:30 p.m., wii bowling; (860) 5993285.

— Estuary Council of Seniors, Inc., 220 Main St., Old Saybrook; ages 50 plus; $5; (860) 3881611.

— 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Groton Public Library, 52 Newtown Road; help with online job applications, resumes, cover letters and interview skills; free; drop in; (860) 441-6750.

— 10 a.m., Huntington Street Baptist Church, 29 Huntington St., New London.

— 15 Rope Ferry Road; 8:30 a.m., strength III; 9 a.m., casual bridge; 10 a.m., hearty moves; 10:15 a.m., duplicate bridge; 12:30 p.m., mahjong; 1 p.m., quilting, guitar & ukulele; (860) 444-5839.Usual Suspects Mystery Bookclub — 5:307 p.m., Public Library of New London, 63 Huntington St.; Corpus Christmas by Margaret Marron; (860) 447-1411.

— Divine Providence Church, 11 Silver St., Norwich; original polish family recipe; through Dec. 23; $8/dozen; call to order (860) 887-2812 or (860) 303-2672.

— 7 p.m., Lee Memorial United Methodist Church, 294 Washington St., Norwich.

— 7-8 p.m., Union Baptist Church Annex, 119 High St., Mystic.

— 7-8 p.m., St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 56 Great Hammock Road, Old Saybrook.

— 7 p.m., St. James Episcopal Church, 76 Federal St., New London.

— 7:30 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, 78 Washington St., Norwich.

TUESDAY, DEC. 19