Grace Helen Eldred

“Grace”

November 14, 1920, New Castle, Colorado ~

October 30, 2011, University Place, Washington

Grace was born in New Castle, Colorado to parents Shaphat and Minnie (Abbott) Dwire on November 14th 1920. Her family came west during the great depression and started a new chapter of their lives in Mariposa, California. Grace went on to live in several California cities including Merced, San Diego, and Santa Rosa. She married Sherman T. Eldred on August 16th, 1953, in Tonopah, Nevada. Sherman passed away in 1969. Following Sherman’s death, Grace relocated to the Portland, Oregon area. She raised her son David during that period and also spent time in the Tacoma, Washington area, the home of her son Wayne. While living in Portland, she worked as a cashier / desk attendant for Sunshine Cleaners Dry Cleaning Co.

Grace is described by her family as a person of “great toughness and durability”. She was a child of the great depression and was no stranger to pain and hardship. It was these experiences and many other struggles and challenges throughout her life that assembled “one tough lady”. She was woman with incredible endurance. Each time she was knocked down she would get back up, dust herself off, and forge on. Grace was also a woman of principle and great integrity. When her husband Sherman passed away in 1969, she was left with a mountain of medical bills. Others might have ignored such a debt or chosen bankruptcy, but not Grace. Every month she paid what she could; $5 dollars one month, $12. the next, but she was determined to make good on her obligation. Even on her very minimal income from the Dry Cleaning job (and she was raising David at the time) she eventually paid the entire amount due.

In her leisure time, Grace enjoyed Bingo! and crossword puzzles. One of her favorite snacks were Cheetos. She loved animals, especially cats and birds, and she loved spending quality time with her grandchildren. She was known to give frequently and generously to various charity organizations.

She is predeceased by her parents; sons Neil and Larry Morris; and sister Ethel Boyd. Survivors include Sons Wayne Morris (spouse Dorothy) and David Eldred (spouse Sylvia) of Tacoma, Wa; daughter Sharon Claudio (spouse Louie) of San Diego, Ca; a sister, Kay Wearin of Oakdale, Ca; grandchildren Louis and Miguel Claudio, Jennifer and Jessica Eldred, Connie Klien and Jane Kustok, and Mike Morris; and finally her great –grandchildren Michael, Carson, and Josiah Claudio.

Grace will be privately laid to eternal rest in Skyline Memorial Gardens in Portland, Oregon.

Remembrances in Grace’s name may be made to Oregon Humane Society

Please visit www.skylinememorialgardens.com – here you can make an entry into Graces online guestbook and view Graces obituary and images..

Arrangements under the direction of Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, Portland, OR. (503) 292-6611

.