Obituary: Metzger, Ethel Gordon

METZGER,
Ethel Gordon
(Age 98)

After a lifetime dedicated to the education and welfare of children, Ethel Gordon Metzger passed March 22, 2012.

Ethel was born in Pampa, WA, on April 14, 1913 to Whitman County farming pioneers James Emery and Mary Stewart Gordon.

She graduated from Lacrosse High School and earned her B.A.

and Master’s degrees in Education from Washington State and Eastern Washington Universities, respectively.

She was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority.

Ethel taught in the Spokane School District for 22 years.

She was the principal of Emerson Elementary before retiring in 1973.

Named Administrator of the Year in 1971, Ethel received the Golden Acorn Award in recognition of her outstanding work with children.

She also worked in the California juvenile court system for several years as a children’s advocate.

A member of First Presbyterian Church, Ethel also belonged to the National, Washington State and Spokane Retired Teachers’ Associations and to Delta Kappa Gamma.

A resident of Riverside Retirement Community for over 20 years, Ethel was a caring, helpful friend to many.

Her passion for rose gardening beautified the grounds of Riverview to the delight of other residents.

Ethel wrote a book: PAMPA AND IT’S NEIGHBORS, recording the history of the Palouse country farming village founded in 1889.

It is a treasure of records, personal stories and old photographs of Pampa School and students, businesses and homesteading families.

Preceded in death by brothers: Chester, Stewart and Frank Gordon, Ethel was a loving aunt to her remaining nieces and nephews: Jon Gordon, Lacrosse; Roger Gordon, Stephanie Gordon Forshag and William Gordon, all of Spokane, Laurie Gordon Fountaine, Colorado Springs, CO and Nancy Gordon Leckenby, Denver, CO. At her request, no service will be held.

Memorial contributions are welcome at your charity of choice.

Inurnment will be at the Lacrosse Cemetery at a later date.

Ball & Dodd Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.

In her book, Ethel described “the end of Pampa” in 1929 when the school was consolidated into nearby Lacrosse: “it is not a sad sight.

All the buildings have been removed and the site is one of shades of green tranquility.”

That is how Ethel’s family and friends will remember this generous lady of absolute integrity…with tranquil shades of love and respect.