Lila L. Breshears, 92, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at Living Care Retirement Community in Yakima, WA. She came into the world April 10, 1925 at home near Tonasket, WA. She was the oldest of five children born to Lester l. Corum and Lola Mahood Corum Shackelton.
The family lived in many places throughout Washington and Lila graduated from Ellensburg High School after changing schools often. She married Roger H. Breshears in 1944 and she lived a settled life at last in the country on Pogue Flat near Omak, Washington.
Lila worked as a service representative for Pacific Telephone Company, then as secretary and fire dispatcher for the Department of Natural Resources in Omak. When the DNR office closed, she accepted a position as secretary to the Dean of Arts and Sciences at Central Washington University. She became a full-time student and received a B.A. in Education at the age of 40. She taught Language Arts at Okanogan High School and earned her master's degree as a reading specialist.
After retiring, Lila bought a new Toyota Dolphin motor home and spent many winters in southern Arizona where she made numerous friends. She enjoyed traveling and had taken many tours; New England, Quebec and Prince Edward Island, the Southwestern U. S. and New Orleans. She was always planning a next trip and often included her family members.
In 1997 after her husband’s death, she moved to Yakima to be near her daughter's family. She enjoyed being an active member of Living Care and the Yakima Covenant Church.
Her death, even at 92, surprised her family and friends, for she lived independently and had driven her stick-shift car to church on Sunday and attended exercise classes the previous days.
She was a member of the Omak Presbyterian Church and the Yakima Covenant Church, the Yakima Union Gospel Mission, Habitat for Humanity and the Living Care Retirement Community. She was also a devoted attendee to the many activities of her daughter and son-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Lila was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Roger H. Breshears, two sisters, Joanne Corum Mitchell and Delnora Corum Robinson. She is survived by two brothers, Loren D. Corum of Spokane and Tom l. Corum and wife, Mary of Tonasket and many, many nieces and nephews. Her daughter's family also survive her; Susan and Don Boatright, grandchildren, Marna l. Boatright, Brianna M. and Darren Smith and Benjamin J. Boatright all of Yakima; great grandchildren: Lexi J. Forgey, Seoul, South Korea, Cierra M. Connolly, Pullman, Washington and Gaige and Jaise Smith of Yakima. She was well loved and will be profoundly missed.
A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at the Living Care Retirement Community Meyer Auditorium, 215 N. 40th Avenue, Yakima at 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 13, 2018.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you remember the Union Gospel Mission or your favorite charity in her name.
Memories of Lila and Condolences for her family may be shared at www.keithandkeith.com
