2/3/1915 - 11/23/2022
Passed away quietly on Nov. 23, 2022 from natural causes. Thelma was the Granddaughter of Spokane Valley’s pioneer Daniel Courchaine, and she was born in the same room and home in Greenacres as her father George. She was the daughter of George and Annie Young Courchaine.
Growing up as a farmer’s daughter, Thelma was always an outdoor girl. She was up to any chore that needed to be completed on the ranch. She attended Saltese School in the CV School District on property that was deeded to the district be her grandfather Daniel. Thelma was proud that her mother was a teacher at the Lone Fir School. She also attended CVHS and later married Joe Phillips. She proudly gave birth to Vernon and Joanne. Thelma’s career in the medical field brought her to Deaconess Hospital as an auxiliary nurse for 12 years.
She later married Verne Limbocker and was proud once again to give birth to a son, Lonnie.
Thelma moved to Missoula, MT and worked at the hospital as an LPN. Her husband at that time, Joe Fitzgerald, joined Thelma as a LPN and together they formed a licensed, private rest home. Also, they created a boarding home for women. In 1979, they moved to Spokane Valley to care for her father.
Thelma’s passion was horseback riding. She would often be found in the woods near her brother’s dairy, on trails in the valley or in Idaho trail riding with Bob and her girlfriends, Edith, Carol, Margaret, Sue, Winnie or Caroline. She also participated in both competitive and endurance riding. She ceased riding horses in her early 90’s.
One of Thelma’s fondest memories of growing up on the Courchaine homestead was the visitation by the caravan of Indians that would stop every spring and fall and camp out on their property. They were aware that George had Indian heritage. Another loving memory included her zeal for riding bareback. Often her teasing brothers would hide her bridle. Undaunted, she made a makeshift bridle; with a loose bit in the horse’s mouth, she used string to tie the bit to the halter and got a rope for the reins.
Above all, Thelma’s greatest love, devotion and accomplishment with no sacrifice too big was in raising her children and enjoying the company of all her family. Thelma was a caring, loving sister and aunt whom always made it a point to keep in touch with her extended family.
She is preceded in death by her son Vernon, husband Joe Fitzgerald, her parents George and Annie Courchaine, her sisters Anna Marie and Eilene Parkinson, and brothers Miles, Les, and Bob Courchaine.
Thelma is survived by her daughter, Joanne and husband Ed Goddard, son Lonnie Limbocker, daughter-in-law Marilyn, 13 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, 27 great great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
While Thelma led a long, full and rewarding life, she will be forever missed! Her bright red hair matched her spirited personality. She is forever our diamond in the rough!
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HazenJaegerValley.com for the Fitzgerald family.
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