Ella M. Jay, 99

Ella Margaret (Maxwell) Jay, age 99, passed away on Sept. 10, 2010, at the age of 99. She was born in Antlers, Okla. to John Maxwell and Alice Tatum Maxwell. Her family worked on farms. At age 16, Ella married Ross Franklin Jay in Durant, Okla. In 1938, after the birth of their three children, they moved the family to Avenal, Calif., following Route 66. Ella was a determined woman and at the age of 38, she got her driver's license. With little formal education, she worked hard and later opened her own dry cleaning business, Village Cleaners, in Avenal. She purchased her own home in the 1950s, an accomplishment she was very proud of. Ella always said that the cornerstones of her life were her faith, her family, and hard work. In the 1970s, Ella moved with her son, Bill Jay, and his family to Coeur d' Alene. Never one to rest, Ella worked full time as supervisor of the Pinewood Convalescent laundry department, retiring at the age of 81. She was a member of Prairie Avenue Christian Center where she had many devoted friends. Preceded in death by husband, Ross Jay, 1969, daughter, Betty Chaffin, 2000, daughter, Patricia Cuthbert, 2008, and grandson, Thomas Chaffin, 1965. She is survived by her son Bill Jay (Naomi), Post Falls; grandchildren, Janet Roth (Robert), Pleasanton, Calif., Shirleen Donnelly (Bruce), Missoula, Sandra Jay (Paul) Santa Rosa, Calif., Keven Chaffin (Amanda), Coeur d' Alene, Steven Jay, Coeur d' Alene, Karel Miller (Dean), Ponderay; 16 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. The family would like to thank all of those who visited and cheered her and the staff at Coeur d' Alene Homes who became her second family. We rejoice in her life and in her memories. Graveside services will be held at Evergreen Cemetery, in Post Falls, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 16. Heritage Funeral Home, 508 N. Government Way, Spokane, WA, 99224, is in charge of arrangements.