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Nena Medina, 13, pauses to look at the mementos, flowers and candles placed on a table in the memory of Kathy Davis and her 11-year-old son Tomas Aguilar-Valle Jr., who died after their duplex caught fire early Tuesday morning on South Columbus Avenue. Nena is friends with Davis’ daughter Rosa (Mail Tribune / Jim Craven)
Family, friends and neighbors — past and present — gathered Tuesday evening to remember two of South Columbus Avenue's most welcoming residents.
The air remained burdened with ash and the tang of charred wood as about 100 people lit candles near the home of Kathy Davis, 37, who died with her 11-year-old son Tomas Aguilar-Valle Jr. in a fire there early Tuesday morning.
Following a short prayer, the crowd surrounded a table loaded with pictures of Davis and her children, candles bearing the image of the Virgin Mary, roses, three teddy bears and a pack of Werner Sour Neon Worms candy.
Several of Davis' co-workers at Shaklee Corp. at Harry and David described a subdued day at work without Davis' assertive presence.
"She wasn't afraid to speak her mind," Laura Case said. "And she was just always one of those people who were easy to talk to."
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"In the short amount of time she worked there, she earned a lot of respect," Case said.
Samantha Chaparro and her young son, Beto, were welcomed by Davis when they moved to South Columbus Avenue three years ago. In fact, Davis was at the hospital when Beto was born.
"She found a ride to go up there and be with me," Chaparro said. "She also threw my baby shower."
Several people spoke with concern over Davis' other son, 10-year-old Alberto Aguilar-Valle, who was pulled from the apartment by a neighbor and is in critical condition at the Oregon Burn Center at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland.
Sean Forbes, who lives across the street, said he was awakened early in the morning by his mother telling him Davis' house was on fire.
"I was nearly asleep when she told me," he said. "I thought it was a dream."
Forbes said his little brother, Shawn Conte, was good friends with Tomas. He described how they would hang out with Tomas and "play cards, color and stuff."
Ten-year-old Shawn was unable to talk about Tomas because he was so overcome with grief at losing his buddy.
Reach reporter Chris Conrad at 776-4471, or e-mail cconrad@mailtribune.com.
