Portland Children’s Museum Launches Safety Campaign to Honor Co-Worker

Trimet reflective gear

Portland, OR. The Portland Children’s Museum is remembering coworker, Leslie Schmadeke, who was hit and killed by a driver on Tualatin-Valley Highway on January 14th. Museum administers say, “Our staff & visitors mourn the loss of beloved Museum Experience Facilitator Leslie Schmadeke, who joyfully shared her gifts of origami & crafting with families for the last nine years. She will be dearly missed.”

The Portland Children’s Museum is partnering with TriMet to hand out reflective and glow-in-the-dark gear to families at the museum.

Employees will be providing bracelets, lights, and more. They call it a simple but meaningful way to honor Schmadeke’s life.

“I can’t remember a day when Leslie was down,” Ruth Shelly, the museum’s executive director, said. “She always came to work upbeat, ready to go, with some new craft in her bulging apron pockets, ready to share with the public.”

51-year-old Schmadeke was crossing TV Highway to get to the bus stop to go to work when she was hit. It was dark and foggy that morning, and investigators say the driver had poor visibility.

ODOT is working on implementing a few measures to make the route safer, including installing three rapid flashlights in areas identified as the most dangerous for pedestrians.

Portland Children’s Museum is located at:
4015 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221

https://www.portlandcm.org/

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.