Nelda Macht

NELDA "MIMI" MACHT May 4, 1921 ~ September 20, 2017 "The Hug Card Lady" Nelda, 96, was born to Andrew and Carrie Dobslow in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The family moved to Portland, OR and she became a citizen when her father was naturalized. She attended Jefferson High School and later enrolled in beauty school. She didn't practice long before it seemed she was allergic to human hair. She met her husband Bill in the hop fields and worked at the cannery to pay for her wedding dress. They were married September 1, 1939 and enjoyed almost 48 years prior to his death in August '87. After he retired, they traveled to Hawaii, California, the Oregon coast, and casinos. She had the opportunity to go to Europe with his two sisters, as well as traveling to the Philippines, Alaska, Branson MO., Australia, New Zealand, and back to Europe to celebrate her 80th birthday. She and daughter Tana were in Germany on 9/11 and had trouble getting back to the U.S. Over the years she was a car hop, owned a drive-in restaurant, and worked at J.C. Penneys for about 15 years. She made some 50 year friendships with some of her "Penneys Gals." In 1972 she turned in her "two cents" and quit. A couple years later she started caring for her granddaughter Karen who nicknamed her "MiMi," which stuck throughout the rest of her life. MiMi made a difference in the community in many ways. She volunteered on the Clark County Crisis Line program (with Karen), for the disabled parking patrol, and was a peer mentor for women who had undergone mastectomies. She also co-sponsored potlucks at her rec center. She enjoyed playing slot machines, cards, dominoes and riding her bike. She remained in her own home until 2014 when it was discovered she had a broken back. She was always upbeat and her sense of humor remained throughout her life. She would say she wanted to go out "honky tonkin," and "there's not a damn thing the matter with me." She loved to laugh and make others laugh. She had a gentle side along with a love of beauty, and enjoyed keeping an extensive collection of swans and tending flowers. MiMi was sometimes known as "The Hug Lady". She made thousands of "Hug Cards" over the past 20 years. These coupons were "Good for one hug, redeemable from any participating human being," and were given to friends, family, acquaintances, and those she met while traveling. She was loved by family, friends, and caregivers. She is survived by her daughter Tana Hart; granddaughter Karen and husband Paul Asbury; great-granddaughters Danielle and Zoe; sister-in-law Carol and numerous nieces and nephews. MiMi was preceded in death by her loving husband Bill; her parents; her son-in-law Johnnie; her sisters Grace and Emma. There will be an Open House "Celebration of Life" where attendees are encouraged to share remembrances of her on Saturday, September 30, 2017 between 2 - 5 pm at her granddaughter's home. Random acts of kindness in her memory would be very much appreciated by the family and/or donations can be made in her name to your favorite charity. Her last wish for you: "Enjoy yourself! It's later than you think." Please sign her guestbook at www.columbian.com/obits

Nelda Macht

May 4, 1921 - September 20, 2017