Eileen Morse, 100

Eileen Morse, 100, passed away Aug. 6, 2014, at Hayden Valley Assisted Living in Hayden, Idaho.

Eileen was born Nov. 1, 1913, on a farm in Birch Bay, Wash., to Thomas and Hattie Gillespie, the youngest of 12 children. Her mother died when Eileen was 2, and her father died when she was 9. Eileen lived with different family members, and then went to live in a boarding house at age 11. At age 15, she went to work in the bakery at the Bon Marche in Seattle, Wash., working there for several years.

Eileen met and married Jerry Pennington, and they moved to Issaquah, Wash. and raised three sons. There, she was a member of the Pythian Sisters and played the washtub in an all-girl jug band. Eileen lived, played and worked in Issaquah for many years with her second husband, Bill Morse, before moving to Athol, Idaho, in 1987.

Eileen enjoyed baking, crocheting, crossword puzzles and gardening. She loved the wildlife she encountered in her yard - the deer and rabbits, and feeding the birds, squirrels and wild turkeys. And Eileen thought nothing of chasing a bear out of her apple tree with a broom!

She was preceded in death by husbands Jerry Pennington and Bill Morse; sons Mickey Pennington and Perry Pennington; and her parents, brothers and sisters. Eileen is survived by son and daughter-in-law Ned and Mary Pennington of Rathdrum, Idaho; stepdaughter Corkie Hosking (Dave) of Wenatchee, Wash.; stepson Bill Morse of Issaquah, Wash.; grandsons Tom (Laura) Pennington of Lacey, Wash., Terry Pennington and Tim Pennington (Shelli) of Athol, Idaho; step-grandchildren Jennifer Yates (Jeff) of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Laura Turner (Kiley) of Boise, Idaho, Jason Hosking and B.J. Hosking of Wenatchee, Wash., and eight great-grandchildren.

Eileen was loved by all who knew her and will be greatly missed.

A private memorial will be held at a future date in Rathdrum, Idaho. Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene, has been entrusted with the care of arrangements. You may visit Eileen's memorial and sign her online guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.