Obituary: Ellis, Zelma Grant

ELLIS,
Zelma Grant
(Age 96)

Passed away May 4, 2012.

Zelma was a native of Spokane who spent most of her life here.

She was born on April 14, 1916, to Clara (Jensen) and Gus Myers.

Sadly Zelma’s father died when she was only 16 and she lived with her mother until she graduated from Lewis and Clark High School.

She attended the University of Idaho and was a lifelong, active member of Delta Gamma Sorority and had received her 75 year membership pin in 2009.
Zelma married Joshua Fredrick Grant VI “Fred” on February 25, 1939, and moved to Portland Oregon, to accompany him while he finished dental school at the University of Oregon.

After the war, they returned to Spokane and remained for 34 years until Fred died in a swimming accident on November 3, 1973.

During those years, Zelma and Fred Grant were very active in various social activities of the time including church, bridge club, Civic Theater and Dental Society groups.
In 1984 she married another Spokane native, Tom Ellis, who died in 1998.

Zelma and Tom enjoyed traveling and playing bridge.

Zelma was devoted to all of her friends and saw the best in them.

She remained active until her mid-80s when she moved to St. Josephs Care Center where she made new friends and received loving care.

For many years her day was brightened by the visit of her care giver and beloved friend, Mary Ann Drahman.
Zelma was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church which was also the church of her parents.

She was active in almost every facet of the laity at the church including serving as a deacon, session clerk, Sunday school teacher and as an elder, one of the first women to serve as an elder at the church.

For years Zelma devoted many hours a week transcribing recorded sermons so that members who were unable to attend could still participate.

She was employed for many years as a bookkeeper for George C. Nichols & Co.
At her death, Zelma was an honorary member of the Board of the Hutton Settlement having served on the Board of Hutton Settlement for decades and was very devoted to the mission, the staff and the children of the Settlement.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Harold and Glenn Myers.
Zelma is survived by her sons David, Josh, (Katie) and Craig (Sompin); seven grandchildren: Michael Grant, Megan McCoy, Martha Amrine, Sara Grant, Fred Grant, Candice Grant and Anne Grant; eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews
A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church on May 26, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations in Zelma’s name be made to the Hutton Settlement or to First Presbyterian Church.