Staff
Our dedicated staff members are here to provide support, compassion, and information to help you through your journey of grief and the celebration of your loved one’s life.
Having supported families and coworkers in the funeral and cemetery industry for 16 years, Katie has been fortunate to work for and alongside some truly exceptional people. She has found that this industry attracts compassionate, service-oriented individuals and River View is no exception.
Katie joined the River View team in 2021 as the Building Operations and Administrative Manager, working closely with the Admin and Management teams to develop, improve, or manage existing systems to enable others to do what they do best: guide families with the highest level of customer service. She loves the environment of rich history, fauna and flora, and serenity that the cemetery has to offer.
Continuing the adventure as Interim Executive Director, Katie looks forward to serving River View at a new level and helping this historic landmark and its people reach full potential.
Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Gillian holds a degree in English Literature from Towson University. She moved to Oregon in 2013 to pursue her interest in Green Burial and to attend the Funeral Service Education program at Mt. Hood Community College. While attending the program, Gillian started her career in funeral service at River View Cemetery Funeral Home. She has also managed two other area funeral homes and worked as a Family Service Counselor at another local cemetery. Gillian returned to the River View Cemetery Funeral Home family in Spring of 2022.
Gillian’s approach to funeral service is that all families deserve to be treated with compassion and respect during their time of need regardless of economic status, or racial, ethnic, religious, gender, or sexual identity. She believes that all of us deserve dignity in death.
In her spare time, Gillian enjoys old movie revivals, record collecting, learning Rioplatense Spanish, and traveling, having most recently visited Egypt. She lives in Portland with her partner, who is also a funeral director, and their pampered cat, Coelo.
Gary began his funeral service career in Milwaukie, Oregon in 1976 and became a funeral service practitioner, embalmer and licensed eye enucleator. His educational background includes Mt. Hood Community College, Northwest Christian University, University of Oregon and continued online education at colleges in Utah and Arkansas. Gary was invited to become part of the staff of River View Cemetery Funeral Home in 2006.
Gary married his college sweetheart, Nancy Yates in 1974, and together they have eight children and currently nineteen grandchildren – they are his greatest joy.
Gary believes that a non-corporate approach to funeral service affords families the best option to selecting only the services and merchandise they find value, without any pressure from the professionals serving them.
Gordy joined the staff of River View Cemetery Funeral Home in the Spring of 2018. Hailing from Beavercreek, Oregon, Gordy grew up in an old farmhouse on Larkin Road, back behind what is known by the locals as the “Ten O’clock” Church. He graduated from Oregon City High School and went directly into his Portland family nut & bolt business, General Threaded Products, which his father and sister still operate to this day. Many in the music community may also recognize him from his time working at Sheet Music Service. When his beloved music store closed, Gordy decided to pursue an interest that was piqued after his grandmother’s passing. The thoughtfulness and care shown by the funeral professionals who helped his family, paired with his genuine interest in learning about the lives and stories of others inspired him to seek a path that eventually lead to a Mortuary Science degree from Mt. Hood Community College in 2015.
Music has always been a big part of Gordy’s life. His earliest memories are infused with the sounds of his mother’s singing, accompanied by the yodeling of his grandfather. He has performed in several local bands, orchestras and ensembles over the years and can currently be found playing tuba in the Beaverton Community Band. You may also catch him whistling or yodeling within the grounds of the cemetery from time to time. He currently resides in Wilsonville with his wife and children.
Maleah first started at River View as a Family Service Representative in 2016. After discovering her passion for serving families, she made the decision to enroll in the Funeral Service Education program at Mt. Hood Community College. She graduated in the spring of 2020 and rejoined River View as a Funeral Director/Embalmer in the fall of 2020.
Maleah grew up in Bozeman, Montana, and much of her childhood was spent playing outdoors with her animals. Her love of new places and experiences had her living all over the country in the years after graduating high school including California, Alaska, and Nebraska, before finally settling in Portland in 2013. In her free time Maleah enjoys exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her fiancé Ricky, spending time with her cats Zelda and Ser Pounce, and trying to find the perfect smash burger.
Monica is a veteran who was born and raised in Southern California. Wanting to fulfill her dreams of traveling, she joined the U.S. Navy soon after graduating from Paloma Valley High School in 2014. She was ultimately stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Oak Harbor, Washington and had the privilege of traveling to Japan, the Philippines, and Bahrain during her five-year enlistment. As she pondered her career path after the military, she reflected on the passing of her father and recalled the kind funeral staff who gave her comfort during his funeral service. Realizing her desire to extend that same kindness to families during a time of loss drove Monica to relocate to Portland, Oregon to pursue a career in the death care industry.
She attended Mt. Hood Community College and graduated in June 2021 with a degree in Funeral Service Education. Monica joined the River View family in October 2022 as a Funeral Director/ Embalmer, where she will continue to learn and grow from her talented colleagues.
A self-proclaimed homebody, Monica enjoys spending time at home with her partner. In her free time, she enjoys playing video games, Dungeons and Dragons, cooking, and keeping her cat Killua entertained.
Lisa Sayre-Aquilla began her service at River View Cemetery in 2007 as a part-time employee and began her current full-time position with River View Cemetery Funeral Home in 2009. Lisa, River View Cemetery Funeral Home Office Manager, is a native of Oregon and was born and raised in the Burlingame area of Portland. She attended Maplewood and Capitol Hill grade schools along with Benson Tech High School and graduated from Wilson High School. Prior to her career with River View, Lisa worked in both the floral and automotive industries.
Lisa has resided near River View Cemetery her entire life, giving her a unique perspective of the neighborhoods surrounding the cemetery. With both of her parents and many other loved ones buried here at River View, Lisa understands grief and loss which guides her compassion as she interacts with the families we are honored to serve. She loves to assist others and sought employment with River View because she desired to be part of a professional community that can help people when they need it most.
When not at work she enjoys spending time with her two children and her granddaughter. Lisa also enjoys hunting and fishing. One of Lisa's passions is the restoration of her 1970 Dodge Challenger.