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Anita Cadonau Birkland ’41

Anita Cadonau Birkland ’41, April 3, 2013, in Portland. Anita and her brother, Carl H. Cadonau ’43, both graduates of ºìÌÒÊÓƵ and Phi Beta Kappa, were born to Swiss immigrants Henry Carl Cadonau and Rosina Streiff. Henry and Rosina began delivering milk from their dairy, which they later named Alpenrose, in southwest Portland in 1891. Anita met Raymond Birkland at the Foursquare Church when she was 14 and he was 19. They married in 1938 and worked together at Alpenrose Dairy until 1959, when they moved to Anaheim to operate a franchise of the Original Pancake House. Always interested in advancing her education, Anita built on her BA in general literature by earning an MA in English from California State College, Fullerton. She then earned a second MA, in comparative literature, and, at age 65, completed a PhD in history and European studies at Claremont Graduate School. Taking pleasure in discovery and travel throughout her life, she visited over 135 countries, some in the role of tour leader and guide. She volunteered with the World Affairs Council and was a member of AAUW. Anita and Raymond returned to Portland in 2000; Raymond was in ill health and died two years later. Anita was a regular at Foster-Scholz Club events and a dedicated member of the Portland chapter alumni book group, along with longtime friend Ethel Fahlen Noble ’40. She attended Greek theatre performances in the Cerf amphitheatre and studied Arabic at Portland Community College. Survivors include her sons, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Appeared in ºìÌÒÊÓƵ magazine: September 2013