Olga M. Haley

Olga Haley was born Dec. 11, 1944 in Globe, Ariz., where her father was stationed at the end of World War II. She lived with her parents, Henry and Ruth Hytrek until the war was over and then the family moved to Wyoming. Olga's career spanned journalism and public relations for more than 30 years. She worked for small Wyoming newspapers as a reporter and editor and as a reporter for The Denver Post.

Among her early assignments as a reporter was writing obituaries and with this experience, she wrote this obituary with fond memories of a wonderful life. Olga learned in December 2012 that her triple negative breast cancer had metastasized, thus beginning a fight to the end against this aggressive disease.

In Portland she was a PR director and/or vice president for such prominent firms as Gerber, Cole & Weber, CMD and Leopold Ketel.

She was nationally accredited (APR) in public relations, served as president of the Portland Metro Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and was awarded the William Marsh Lifetime Achievement Award.

She served on the board of the Portland Youth Philharmonic, volunteered for the Salvation Army's Greenhouse for homeless youth, was a United Way volunteer and often helped her husband deliver lunches to seniors through Meals on Wheels.

Olga is survived by her husband, Michael Haley; two children, daughter Terra Spencer and her husband, Todd; also her son Michael John Spencer. Also surviving are stepdaughter Kimberly Haley (Matt), stepson Steve Haley (Sarah) and three grandchildren, Lilly and Jones Haley of Portland, Ali Cunlisk of Seattle, as well as Olga's darling and much-loved dog, Teddy.

Other survivors include two brothers, Dan Hytrek of Eugene; Dale Hytrek (Jan) of Lusk, Wyo., sister Deborah Meng (Jim) of Red Bird, Wyo., several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice or one of Olga's preferences: Oregon Humane Society, Meals on Wheels or OPB.

Olga wishes to bid a loving farewell to her many lovely family members and friends.

A memorial will take place at Mountain Park Church, Lake Oswego, April 4, at 2pm, a reception to follow. Pastor Greg Borer will officiate.

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