Ellen Lorraine Quigley, 91
Our beloved Ellen got her angel wings in the comfort of home surrounded by family Sept. 28, 2024, in Hayden, Idaho.
She was born Feb. 3, 1933, in Orchard, Neb., to Edith and Clyde Bragg.
She was married to Luther Quigley for 55 years and they resided in Cocolalla for over 40 years. While living there she loved watching the eagles soar over Cocolalla Lake.
She held many jobs throughout her life, but her most enduring legacy was being a wife, mother, and grandmother.
Ellen's life was a shining example of selflessness, commitment, and of love for her family and all those that she met. With an open heart, her home was always open to anyone. She provided guidance and support to all who sought it and never turned anyone away. Joy and passion for family and friends showed through her works of love towards all. Her kindness and enthusiasm inspired others. She was the best listener, lifting and encouraging others to be their best, and putting others before herself.
Her heart and soul were full of music. She loved to sing to her children and grandchildren. Ellen had a talent for perfect pitch and had sung for the Washington State Choir. As a teenage she sung on the local radio station in the Tri-Cities. She often performed at weddings and funerals.
Ellen enjoyed the simple things in life. She loved camping, being in nature while telling bigfoot stories around the campfire. She loved watching children play and do sports; she was their biggest fan. She started her days by drinking her coffee and sitting on her porch watching the tiny birds and squirrels come to their feeder that she filled up daily.
She had a passion for her rose bush. She spent hours tending to it daily making sure each bloom was perfect. She was so proud and loved to show all that visited the beauty it had produced.
She had a love for cooking and baking for the holidays. We were never short on cookies, pies or fudge from her mother's recipes. Her home was welcoming to all and she always knew how to make the best food from scratch.
We will miss her great storytelling, keeping us on our toes from her many experiences in life or from her creative and intuitive mind.
Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Edith and Clyde Bragg; husband Luther E. Quigley; son Philip Mark Stroh; daughter Sarah Quigley; siblings Estilene Combs, Shirley Hower, Norma Silver, Beverly Elliot, Richard Bragg, Charles Bragg, and Judith Smith.
She is survived by her children: Clayton (Bob) Stroh (Jaylie) from Kennewick, Wash.; Michael Stroh (Shelly) from Post Falls, Idaho; Scott Crowder from Poulsbo, Wash.; Shawn (Prior) Quigley (Marge) from Washington, Utah; Jandene Myers (Mike) from Hayden, Idaho; Shane Quigley from Post Falls, Idaho; Saul (Pete) Quigley from Cocolalla, Idaho; and Heidi Inman from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; her sister, Beryl Ritter from Newport, Minn.; 18 grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren.
Her contagious laugh and smile will be missed by all those she left behind. Her strength and legacy are alive in those she touched.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, at Yates Funeral Home — Hayden Chapel (373 E. Hayden Ave., Hayden, ID 83835). A viewing will be held prior to the service from 9:30 to 11 a.m. A graveside to follow at 1 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery, 2834 N. Spokane St., Post Falls, ID 83854.
Please visit Ellen’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at yatesfuneralhomes.com.