Gay Katherine Lembert

We are sad to announce the passing of Gay Katherine Lembert, born in 1943. After battling multiple health issues she died in May of 2025, in Salem Oregon. She was surrounded by her loving family. Gay was raised in Grants Pass Oregon by her mother and father, Ted and Dean McDonald. She graduated from Grants Pass High School in 1961 and later obtained an Early Childhood Degree from Southern Oregon University. She was a strong advocate for child welfare which led her to direct the Head Start program in Sweet Home Oregon. She obtained funding to build a permanent facility as Director of the Woodburn Head Start Childcare Clinic. She believed that education changed lives and created a world of tolerance and acceptance. She earned the nickname “Daycare Gay” advocating for daycare funding working as an aide for Senator Mary Wendy Roberts. She continued her career as a child counselor at West Salem, Morningside, and Hoover Elementary Schools. Years later her interest in home decoration and remodeling led her to a new 17 year career in real estate, sales, and investments.

Most important to her was family. She and her husband of 50 years raised three strong daughters, seven cherished grandchildren, and six infallible great grandchildren. Gay was an avid gardener, chef, decorator, and artist who loved making old things new again. She was a human rights activist and passed the gift of acceptance, compassion, and equality to her entire family. She embraced her life with strength, grace, and love. She was smart as a whip, she loved a good debate, good wine, and good conversation. In her later years there was nothing more precious than time with her family, especially her spoiled grandchildren.

Gay leaves behind her loving husband Lon Lembert, her three daughters, Mollie, Becky, Jenny, her 7 grandchildren, Michial, Jacob, Zachary, Katherine, Sam, Noah, Emma, her 6 great grandchildren, and her two sisters, Merry and Wanda. She is predeceased by her mother and father, Ted and Dean McDonald, and her sister Joy.

A private family celebration of life will be held to honor Gay. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Salem Assistance League for Operation School Bell. More information can be found at assistanceleaguesalem.org

Gay will be forever missed and always in our hearts.