Elinor R. (Nason) Adams, 89

Elinor R. (Nason) Adams born May 26, 1921, in the small farming community of Irby, Wash., in the attic of the railroad station. Her mother was waiting for her father to return home from his run. Elinor joined an older sister and two older brothers at home.

The family was torn apart when Elinor was 5 years old from the epidemic that hit the Spokane area that fall. She was raised for a short time in a children's home and then she lived with an aunt and uncle. In her teens she became a nanny to other people's children for her room and board. She put herself through high school this way and received top honors in all her classes. After high school she and her lifelong friend cooked professionally for the wealthy family's dinner parties.

At 19 years old she met and married Curtis E. Adams on Sept. 14, 1940. To this union she had four children Joe, Anna May, Neal and Janice. It was terribly tragic that Joe died very young and that Anna May also died young. Elinor loved children and wanted a dozen, she didn't have that many but she was always "adopting" strays that us kids would bring home.

She had many adopted children but Holly Renee was her favorite. Elinor has eight grandchildren, more than a dozen great-grandkids and two great-great-grandchildren.

She loved all the kids, hers or not she loved them all. The other love of her life was was animals from raising cats and dogs to mice and Guinea pigs and horses. Her passion was fishing from her beloved boat.

Education was also a great passion of hers. She received many awards for her poetry over the years. She was loved and will be missed by all that knew her.

Viewing will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010, at Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene Chapel. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, 2010, also at Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene Chapel.

Please visit Elinor's memorial and sign her online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.