1920
Fay
2012
Fay Whittaker
May 19, 1920 — July 23, 2012
Fay died at home in Phoenix, Arizona on Monday, July 23, 2012. Formerly a resident of Clark County, Fay has lived in Phoenix full time since 2008. Fay was born May 29, 1920 at a ranch house in Leadore, Idaho; parents Vida Hickman Ellis and Russell W. Ellis. Fay had one brother, Duane, who was two years older than she. Fay attended primary school in the old mining town Gilmore, Idaho, high school in Leadore, and college at the University of Idaho, Moscow.
Fay married George Whittaker October 23, 1941 in Dillon, Montana. They lived on the John Whittaker Ranch for one year, then purchased a ranch west of Leadore, where they lived until 1965, when they purchased and moved to the Ellis Ranch in Medicine Lodge Canyon, Clark County, 18 miles northwest of Dubois, a centennial ranch homesteaded by the Ellis family in the late 1800s and owned by Fay's parents since 1945.
Fay began her teaching career at Leadore High School, where she was responsible for teaching English and literature, commercial (typing and office skills), and served as librarian for twenty years (1944-1965). She played piano for the annual Christmas programs, directed school plays, and edited the school yearbooks. Fay loved teaching and interacting with young people. She sincerely cared about her students and their education and realized that her influence would and should impact the lifetime skills and pleasures of students in reading, grammar, extra-curricular activities, and even self-esteem. Fay has always been an avid reader and an advocate of lifelong reading, learning, and appreciation of literature.
Fay was famous for her lifelong passion for animals, for surrounding herself with pets, for being "tender-hearted" toward all living beings. Pet cats and dogs have been an important part of her life since childhood and some refer to her as the ‘cat lover' or ‘cat woman'.
Fay joined the Order of Eastern Star soon after moving to Clark County, where she served as Worthy Matron for two terms and secretary for many terms, as well as organist during the entire time she was active. She received special recognition, a Certificate of Appreciation from Masonic Grand Lodge for 20 years of devoted service to school children.
Fay took a position as resource clerk for the U.S. Forest Service in Dubois, where she worked for 17 years. She received special recognition, a Certificate of Merit from the Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.
Fay and George retired in 1991 and began spending six-to-seven months of the year in Phoenix and summers in Idaho. This opened up new opportunities and pleasures, travel, RV trips, and socializing time with old and new friends.
Fay is survived by daughter Carol Fay (John Edward) Zaback ; three grand-daughters, Jodi Ann Gaudioso, Lia Rose (aka Lori Lin Zaback), and Tedi Jo LoMeli; four great-grandchildren (children of Jodi): Amanda Rose, Justin Taylor, Santino Frank, and Giorgio Edward; two great-great-grandsons (children of Amanda), Valentino and Luke. Fay was preceded in death by her husband George and her brother Duane Ellis.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 28, 2012, at Buck-Miller-Hann Funeral Home, 825 E. 17th Street in Idaho Falls, with Bishop, officiating. Burial will follow in the Dubois Cemetery in Dubois. A viewing for family and friends will be from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the funeral on Saturday. The family suggest donation be given to the Hospice of the Valley affiliated with Mayo Clinic, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix AZ 85014, phone 602.530.6992.
Fay's family wishes to thank family and friends who have been supportive, caring and helpful throughout her lifetime. Fay valued people, family, friends, and students - and felt blessed by the wealth of treasured relationships she has developed all along the way. Fay inspired others by her ethics, humanity, and true grit.
When: Saturday, July 28th, 2012
Location: Funeral Home
Address:
When: Saturday, July 28th, 2012
Location: Funeral Home
Address:
Fay married George Whittaker October 23, 1941 in Dillon, Montana. They lived on the John Whittaker Ranch for one year, then purchased a ranch west of Leadore, where they lived until 1965, when they purchased and moved to the Ellis Ranch in Medicine Lodge Canyon, Clark County, 18 miles northwest of Dubois, a centennial ranch homesteaded by the Ellis family in the late 1800s and owned by Fay's parents since 1945.
Fay began her teaching career at Leadore High School, where she was responsible for teaching English and literature, commercial (typing and office skills), and served as librarian for twenty years (1944-1965). She played piano for the annual Christmas programs, directed school plays, and edited the school yearbooks. Fay loved teaching and interacting with young people. She sincerely cared about her students and their education and realized that her influence would and should impact the lifetime skills and pleasures of students in reading, grammar, extra-curricular activities, and even self-esteem. Fay has always been an avid reader and an advocate of lifelong reading, learning, and appreciation of literature.
Fay was famous for her lifelong passion for animals, for surrounding herself with pets, for being "tender-hearted" toward all living beings. Pet cats and dogs have been an important part of her life since childhood and some refer to her as the ‘cat lover' or ‘cat woman'.
Fay joined the Order of Eastern Star soon after moving to Clark County, where she served as Worthy Matron for two terms and secretary for many terms, as well as organist during the entire time she was active. She received special recognition, a Certificate of Appreciation from Masonic Grand Lodge for 20 years of devoted service to school children.
Fay took a position as resource clerk for the U.S. Forest Service in Dubois, where she worked for 17 years. She received special recognition, a Certificate of Merit from the Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.
Fay and George retired in 1991 and began spending six-to-seven months of the year in Phoenix and summers in Idaho. This opened up new opportunities and pleasures, travel, RV trips, and socializing time with old and new friends.
Fay is survived by daughter Carol Fay (John Edward) Zaback ; three grand-daughters, Jodi Ann Gaudioso, Lia Rose (aka Lori Lin Zaback), and Tedi Jo LoMeli; four great-grandchildren (children of Jodi): Amanda Rose, Justin Taylor, Santino Frank, and Giorgio Edward; two great-great-grandsons (children of Amanda), Valentino and Luke. Fay was preceded in death by her husband George and her brother Duane Ellis.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 28, 2012, at Buck-Miller-Hann Funeral Home, 825 E. 17th Street in Idaho Falls, with Bishop, officiating. Burial will follow in the Dubois Cemetery in Dubois. A viewing for family and friends will be from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the funeral on Saturday. The family suggest donation be given to the Hospice of the Valley affiliated with Mayo Clinic, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix AZ 85014, phone 602.530.6992.
Fay's family wishes to thank family and friends who have been supportive, caring and helpful throughout her lifetime. Fay valued people, family, friends, and students - and felt blessed by the wealth of treasured relationships she has developed all along the way. Fay inspired others by her ethics, humanity, and true grit.
Service Details.
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When: Saturday, July 28th, 2012
Location: Funeral Home
Address:
Service
When: Saturday, July 28th, 2012
Location: Funeral Home
Address:
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