Obituary: Lesley Diane Unthank, June 19, 1942 - February 12, 2024

Lesley Diane Unthank was born in Portland, Oregon on June 19, 1942 to parents Dr. DeNorval Unthank and Thelma Raimey Shipman. Lesley was the youngest of five children and is survived by Thomas Unthank. She was preceded in death by DeNorval Jr. Unthank, James Unthank, Thelma Unthank Brown.

Lesley was a graduate of Grant High School class of 1960 and Marylhurst College. Lesley practiced her passion for her community by contributing to the nurturing and development of Portland’s youth and adults.Lesley’s career included 32 years of various roles at Portland Parks and Recreation, Portland Urban League, and she also was able to reach the community in her role as a licensed social worker for Portland Public Schools.

Lesley was a dedicated member of the Portland Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. where she held various leadership offices and loved recruiting college students to be a part of the Portland Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Chapter.

Lesley’s hobbies were playing the violin, arts and crafts, painting, quilting, volunteering in the community, studying and recording the Black history of Portland, and researching and recording Unthank family history as well as keeping written notes from interviews with family members.

We will remember Lesley as a community leader, teacher, comedian, historian, a little fancy lady who loved great food, music, art, traveling and loving people.