Obituary: Pilcher, Ella Mae
Age 99
She left us surrounded by family shortly after enjoying her 100th Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.
Born on a coffee farm in Modesto, California, her early family life was incredibly difficult.
By the time she was eight, the family had lost their dairy to hoof and mouth disease; their father, killed in a robbery; and, their home, burned down in a fireworks accident just entering the Great Depression.
In spite of this beginning, the four children became a world renowned Soil Chemist; a successful general contractor; a beloved doctor in Brewster; and, a RN, Instructor/ Administrator.
Ella Mae graduated from the University of San Francisco Nursing School in 1939 and received her BS from UC Berkley.
At the onset of WWII, she married Lt. Gene Taylor, an army hospital administrator.
Following his assignments, she nursed in many states and in Germany.
She also served a year in Catholic Relief Services in Bolivia.
She started the first LVN nursing school in Pendleton, OR; taught nursing in Walla Walla, then served as a Director of Nursing in Oceanside; and for the Red Cross in Sacramento where she was honored with the Ann Magnussen award, its highest honor.
There she met and married Lester Pilcher, an almond farmer.
They moved to a farm in Peone Valley in 1974.
They loved the tranquility and the view of Mt.
Spokane.
Unfortunately, Lester died shortly thereafter.
She quickly became an engaged volunteer for the Spokane Red Cross.
Her passion was Youth Service with programs like first aid for babysitters.
She started the Spring Tonic Fun Runs as a fund raiser.
They named The Ella Mae Pilcher Youth Service Award for her.
She taught Lamaze well into her 80s.
Kept photos and proudly followed the lives of many children from that service.
Her deep faith sustained her in all her endeavors and she was a parishioner first at St. Joseph’s Church in Colbert and later, Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral in Spokane.
Her time in Emilie Court included deep friendships with her fellow residents, daily mass and daily rosaries, excursions to see each change of season with her son Michael on a tour of our interesting restaurants, beautiful parks, and the projects making our city better.
Her rich and full life could not be simply summarized.
It will be lived in the lives, day by day, of her three surviving sons and daughters-in-law: Alan (Judy), Mike (Linda), and Victor (Alice) Taylor; her eleven grandchildren, her twenty great-grandchildren; and, her eleven great-great-grandchildren, as well as countless lives touched by knowing so loving a person as our Mother.
She lived well and fully in the service of others; and, she taught us of unconditional love.
She will be missed.
There will be a Memorial Mass in May, at Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral in Spokane, followed by a family reunion and celebration of her life at Qemiln Park in Post Falls.