Ellen Grace Walsh

Ellen Grace Walsh a 71 year resident of Spokane, WA passed on July 6, 2023. Born on November 1, 1935 in Winchester, ID, she was the third of four girls born to Marguerite and A.G. Cason.

Ellen inherited her passion for the outdoors from her father, as hunting and fishing were a necessity of life. She walked the trap lines with her father and rode the Salmon River rapids at a very young age in his handmade canvas boat. She worked on a ranch as a mother’s helper and cooked for the ranch hands during the summer.

Ellen loved school and went on the further her education at Kinman Business School in Spokane. There she met Lee E. Walsh from Julietta, ID. They married January 29, 1954. Soon to follow were their three children; Barb Herman (Jim) of Otis Orchards, WA, Rick Walsh (Sue) of Rockford, WA, and Ken Walsh (Liz) of Enumclaw, WA. Their door was always open and the coffee was always on. They remained married until Lee’s death in August 1985.

Ellen worked as a dental assistant, managed Rosauers bakeries at U-city and 3rd & Oak. A back injury led her to a 30 year career as the “elevator lady” at Sacred Heart Doctors building. She was a welcoming face to out of towners, helping patients looking for directions to appointments, a wheelchair, a hot meal or close by lodgings. Not to forget the elevator jokes!

With declining health due to many factors Ellen’s passing was truly a blessing. She is survived by her children and their spouses, five grandkids, and eight – soon to be 10 great grandkids. She was “Auntie” to many, all of whom have brought her lots of joy and pride over the years.

Life held many pleasures for Ellen. She loved hiking, fishing, yardwork, wildlife, road trips to Reno, picnics, and camping at Priest Lake. As an avid water skier she could slalom ski before her sons. Later in life her passion was long weekends at her Pend Oreille river property with her dog Honey and a good Mac and water.

A graveside service for Ellen will be held Friday, September 1, 2023 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at Greenwood Memorial Terrace, 211 N Government Way, Spokane, WA 99224. A memorial service will occur Wednesday, September 13, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Hazen & Jaeger Valley Funeral Home, 1306 N Pines Rd, Spokane Valley, WA 99206.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HazenJaegerValley.com for the Walsh family.