Faye Stevens LaMoreaux, 88

Faye Stevens LaMoreaux was born on August 8, 1932, in Buhl, Idaho, to parents Walter and Ruby Roberts. Her family moved to Sandpoint about 1946 but after a time they returned to southern Idaho. Faye chose to stay behind and begin her own life here in Sandpoint.

Faye spent her formative years on a farm in southern Idaho during the Great Depression and although the family was money poor, they always had plenty of food. She grew up wearing flour sack dresses and had little formal education. Through sheer grit, determination, and hard work she was able to build a life for herself. It wasn’t until her late 60s that Faye achieved her life goal of getting her GED which she was so proud of.

She married Larry Stevens in August 1952 and they had four children. Together they built the “big house on the hill” and people from all over the world would come to visit their creation. After Larry’s passing in 1990, she met Don LaMoreaux who had lost his wife and together they created a new life. They traveled all over the country in Don’s GMC van and had adventures that she remembered until her passing.

Faye was a working mother long before working mothers were common. She worked for some of the most iconic employers in the Sandpoint area at the time, including Leonard Haugse’s Pastime Cafe, Les Roger’s grocery stores, and Dr. Forrest Bird’s space technology. She loved working. She had an incredible work ethic and nobody could work harder than her. She was a perfectionist and she demanded the same from all those around her.

Faye’s cooking skills became her greatest work achievement. She began catering for people she knew as a side job but that turned into something much bigger as word of her cooking skills began to spread. She catered wedding receptions, funeral dinners, family reunions, Christmas parties, and company annual picnics. People never went away hungry with Faye. She always had more food than she needed and whatever food was left over went to feed someone. Having grown up during the Great Depression, Faye never wasted anything. Feeding people became her primary goal in life.

Faye spent her final years living at Alpine Vista Senior Apartments before moving into a nursing home in May of this year due to diminished health. At the end of her life this is where she wanted to go home to. Donna Johnson and all the staff at Alpine Vista made her final years safe, secure, happy, and enjoyable.

Faye passed away on October 16, 2020, at the age of 88 and was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Ruby Roberts; her first husband, Larry Stevens; her second husband, Don LaMoreaux; stillborn twins; sister Ruth Bradetich, and sister Veda Bradetich.

Faye is survived by her children, Patty (David) Banks of Sandpoint, Lorna (James) Thomas of Wasilla, Alaska, Doug (Colleen) Stevens of St. Cloud, Minnesota, Jeannette (Dwayne) Dudley of Nevis, Minnesota; a cousin Mary (Blaine) Stevens of Sandpoint; nine grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

Feeding others was always Faye’s greatest joy in life and when she felt most rewarded. She didn’t like to see people go hungry. In light of that her family would request that anyone who wants to donate in her memory please do so to the Bonner Community Food Bank, located on Culvers Drive in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Faye not only worked hard outside the home but inside the home as well. She kept a spotless house and she didn’t like messes. She was obsessive about a clean home. One of her daughters always told her that she was going to end her obituary with “and her house was always clean.” There you have it, Mom. Rest in peace. You earned it.

Family and friends are invited to sign Faye’s online guestbook at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Funeral arrangements are being arranged by Coffelt Funeral Service.