Obituary: Barstow, Ethel L.
Age 82
BARSTOW,
Ethel L.
(Age 82)
Longtime Spokane resident Ethel Barstow was called home by the Lord on Sunday August 12, 2012.
Ethel was born in Moscow, Idaho on January 2, 1930.
She was raised on a farm near Estes Station by parents Percy and Nellie Doyle along with nine brothers and sisters.
She graduated from Moscow High School, and received bachelor’s degrees from Oregon State University and later from Eastern Washington University.
She married, and later divorced Robert Barstow.
They moved to Spokane shortly after being married where Ethel became a first grade teacher at Lincoln Heights Elementary.
After a few years, Ethel put her teaching career on hold to stay at home and care for her two young sons.
During that time she worked as a seamstress creating beautiful, custom designed garments for many women in Spokane.
She later returned to teaching, retiring in 1995 from Bemis Elementary after teaching there for many years.
In her retirement Ethel devoted tremendous amounts of her time to serving others by volunteering for several organizations including the Deaconess Hospital Surgery Center, Deaconess Sewing Guild, Deaconess Volunteer Board, and Meals On Wheels.
She was a longtime, devoted attendee and volunteer at Manito Presbyterian Church.
Her other retirement passion was enjoying time with her family.
Ethel was a loving mother and grandmother, a cherished friend to many, and a generous, giving person who always put others needs before her own.
She will be greatly missed.
She is survived by her sons Scott and Larry, their wives Kirsten and Leslie; grandchildren Allison, Melanie and Isabella; two brothers-in-law and one sister in law.
A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held Saturday, August 25th at 2 pm at Manito Presbyterian Church, 401 E. 30th Ave. on Spokane’s south hill.
In lieu of flowers Ethel’s family would appreciate your donation to the Deaconess Sewing Guild, Manito Presbyterian Church, or Meals On Wheels.
A reception at the Church will follow the memorial service.