We are sad to report the passing of Ernie Francisco in early March. Ernie was one of the founders of Johnson Creek Watershed Council. Ernie and her late husband David lived on Johnson Creek for many years and gifted part of their streamfront property to the City of Portland so it would remain undeveloped. The property is just downstream from Leach Botanical Gardens. Ernie was a founding board member in the 1980s of Friends of Leach Botanical Gardens. In honor of Ernie‘s longstanding contributions to the Council, the annual Riffle Award for an individual volunteer has for many years been called the Ernie Francisco Award. Ernestine Augusta Schulenberg Francisco is survived by a son, Grant, of Ashland, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Photo: l, Maggie Skenderian; c, Ernie Francisco; r, Walt Mintkeski
Read her obituary in the Oregonian HERE