Elsie M. English, 94

Elsie M. English, family Matriarch, peacefully passed away surrounded by her family on Jan. 26, 2013, at age 94.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 50 years, Dale J. English in 1987; her parents, Robert and Louetta Johnson; sister Beulah Johnson Smith and a beloved grandson, Matthew English. She is survived by her daughter and constant caregiver and companion, Sally English Green of Coeur d'Alene, Patty Hall and Dan English of Coeur d'Alene and Peggy Covalt of Rocklin, Calif.; along with nine grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Elsie was born in Malta, Mont., before moving to Coeur d'Alene when she was 5 years old. She started writing poetry in first grade. As an adult, her poetry was published several times. She is listed as an Idaho writer in the Boise State Library. As a guitar player and singer, she formed a band in high school called The Hill Lily’s, which performed in Coeur d'Alene and Spokane. She was also a member of the band “The Westerners” which had their own radio show. 

In a time when women struggled for independence, she was the guiding star of her family. She instilled a passion for politics in her children. After the retirement of husband Dale they pursued an interest in antiques, becoming dealers in furniture, old prints and paintings. At age 65 she took up Folk Art painting. She was natural to the medium and she quickly became well-known. She was featured in a well-known folk art gallery in Carmel, Calif., and had many showings in several towns in Alaska. One of her paintings was accepted by the Russian Premier Gorbachev’s wife around the time of the Berlin wall coming down. Her paintings are enjoyed by many owners across the country. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran church and was an officer many times in the Eastern Star. She was a remarkable woman of many interests but is appreciated most lovingly by her children and grandchildren. She was tenacious and had a wonderful sense of excitement and humor. We will remember her and her formidable presence. She will be missed by those who knew her and were honored to love her.

A special thanks goes out to the caring staff at Pinewood Care Center for their love and attention over the years. 

Funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene, with burial to follow at Forest Cemetery.

Please sign Elsie’s guest registry and view her online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.