Vida Lee (Mick) Edera

"It was an exciting time for our family as my husband then, Glen Mick, had been a big advocate of this way of schooling. Five offspring, from the youngest at 7 to the next-to-oldest sibling at 17, were all enrolled and were happier to get up and go to school. I was not without my doubts about curriculum choices being mostly left to their preferences, and I wondered if basics would be met. But there were so many positive lessons that have served them well throughout their lives, with critical thinking being one of those. The sense of community was also a positive outcome. Engagement with staff had value also, which often is not as prevalent in other schools. Field trips with John Angell had to rank high on the list of happy pleasures. I cheer the survival of the school and feel fortunate to have been part of its beginning." (Vida Lee Edera, 2018)

In 2018, Vida Lee (Mick) Edera, a very beloved parent, five of whose six children attended MLC starting in 1968 (and who hired many a student at the Foothill Broiler she and her family owned and operated), wrote the following reminiscence for the 50th Anniversary magazine. Sadly, it arrived just too late for publication—and languished for 6-1/2 years. Vida Lee died in August 2023, at age 93; we honor her here with her writing, from beyond the grave, and with her obituary and thoughts from others who knew and loved her.

"[My grandma's] seeming invincibility to age was a point of pride for me for a long time, and I still believe it to be a testament to her community and the positive energy she put into it. Being a part of her family and meeting people with lovely things to say about her has always meant a lot to me .... Nobody needs me to tell them what a singularly wonderful person my grandma was or to explain how the gravity of her goodness held a galaxy of good people in orbit around her. I think we all got to experience her passion, her loyalty, her thoughtfulness, playfulness, humbleness, and wisdom. But to grow up as one of her grandchildren was a particularly magical kind of privilege ...." (Nora Mick, an excerpt from her spoken tribute at Vida Lee's memorial)

Vida Lee Willard Mick Edera (Jan. 24, 1930–Aug. 29, 2023) was born in Albany, Oregon, to Leitha and Everett Willard. She grew up there with her five brothers and sisters. She was very proud of her family's Oregon Trail roots.

In 1949 she married Glen Mick. They lived in Eugene, Salem and Portland while raising six children. In 1970 they purchased the Foothill Broiler. After their divorce Vida Lee continued to own and run the restaurant until 1997. In 1996 Vida married Eugene Edera and welcomed Gene's family into the fold. Northwest Portland was her home for 55 years. Vida had many friends and neighbors who helped her stay in her house until she died—thank you!

Vida Lee savored a good meal with family and friends. She had endless energy, always up for an adventure. She was very fair and honest, frugal and generous. She backed up her beliefs with many letters to the paper and to her representatives. She was a great mom and an adventurous grandmother.

Survivors include her children, Kate Merz, Ted Mick (Cassandra), Marlys Mick (Donald Granger), Eric Mick (Karen Hout), Wendy Hart (Tom) and Shawn Mick (Mary Grabowska); 15 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

(Obituary published by The Oregonian, September 2023).

A favorite photo of Vida Lee—creating a party!