Mary Elliott, 82

Mary Theresa Elliott, 82, of Post Falls, left this life on angels' wings on Dec. 29, 2010. Mary was born to Bruno Antonio Pangallo and Rose Elizabeth (Paris) Pangallo on July 10, 1928, in Granite.

The Pangallo family lived on a very basic farm in Granite with no running water and no electricity. When she was 4 she nearly lost her leg and her life due to blood poisoning. An elderly teacher friend of the family got her into the Shriners Hospital where she endured seven separate surgeries. As a secondary infection she got lockjaw around age 6. The Shriners Hospital also saved her from that.

She attended school in Granite, walking about 1.5 miles each way mostly by herself. Being the eighth and last child of the family, Mary herded and milked cows, slopped pigs, and helped farm and garden. She began high school but had to quit to help her parents on the farm. No wonder she is such a "tough cookie" yet so, so lovable.

Mary was preceded in death by both parents; brothers Joseph, Rocky, John and Jim; by sisters Josephine and Rosie; by husband Kenneth and by stepdaughter Kennette Elliott.

She is survived by sister Carmella (Bowman) of Hayden; daughter Gloria (Bill) Ziegler of Kennewick, Wash.; grandson Mark (Linda) Ziegler with great-grandson Eli of Stamford, Conn.; granddaughter Deby Ziegler with great-grandsons Matthew and Devyn of Kennewick; stepdaughter Kimberly (Randy) Reinemer with granddaughters Allison and Meghan of Sheridan, Wyo.; sisters-in-law Harriett Dennis of Alaska and Dorothy Chacartegui of Portland, Ore.; and many loving nieces and nephews of the Elliott, Walker and Pangallo families. Besides her human family, Mom is also survived by her beloved Schnauzer, Missy (my sister).

Please come celebrate Mary's life - blue jeans welcome. Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011, at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Coeur d'Alene. Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene Chapel, is entrusted with the care of final arrangements.

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