Cecelia Louise Scarlett, 98

Cecelia "Ceal" Louise Scarlett passed away peacefully on May 29, 2014, at the Hospice House in Hayden.

Ceal was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on August 20, 1915. She was the last of seven children born to Charles and Minerva Murray. Her father was born in Londonberry, Ireland, and she was quite proud of her Irish heritage.

Ceal worked for Western Gear, located in the Los Angeles area, for over 20 years as a cost accountant. After retirement, Ceal and her husband, George, moved to Frazier Park in California, and lived there for several years before moving one final time, in 1988, to Hayden, Idaho. After their move to the Coeur d'Alene area, Ceal worked as House Manager for the Walden House, which is part of Kootenai Health. She was age 94 when she finally "retired" again. In the interim, she also volunteered at the Women's Center Thrift Store.

Ceal was well known for her baking expertise, and all the grandkids referred to her as the "cookie Gramma." Her special recipes were well known, and only she could make them the way she did. Others tried, but baked goods never tasted quite like hers!

In the year 2000, at age 85, Ceal wrote an autobiography with the help of her daughter. Who would have thought that almost 15 years later she would come close to celebrating her 99th birthday! Ceal gave a copy of her book to all her children and grandchildren for Christmas that year. It was a very special gift.

Ceal was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, George Scarlett, and her eldest son, James Scarlett. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sally and Bob Wright, of Sioux Falls, S.D., and son and daughter-in-law, Dale and Nancy Scarlett, of Hayden, Idaho; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

We wish to thank the staff at Legends Park Assisted Living, and the staff at Hospice House of North Idaho, for the love and care they all provided our mother. We will miss her lovely smile and the bright twinkle in those beautiful blue eyes.