Eva Arilla Ross (Babbitt), 83

Eva Arilla Ross (“Dee Dee”) passed away on Nov. 4, 2020, at the age of 83, in her Coeur d'Alene home surrounded by her loving family. She was the youngest of five children born in Spokane Wash., to Ralph and Nellie Babbitt. Dee Dee grew up in Spokane and attended North Central High School.

As a young lady her niece, Shirley Holloway (who mom affectionately referred to as her sister), said she used to love dressing up with her and putting on shows in the neighborhood. Like her mother (Nellie), she accepted individual differences and was not judgmental. She worked to support those she loved.

Eva graduated from high school early and married Paul R. Ross on April 15, 1955, in Spokane. Dee Dee and Paul met at The Sweet Shop in Spokane, where their lifelong connection began. Soon after they met, Dee Dee began to make special sandwiches for Paul and would even iron his socks, which Paul jokingly said was the reason he married her.

They honeymooned their way to Kentucky for a job for Paul, working with his brother, Bob Ross. They traveled through Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, and Paul shared that they even stayed in a fancy hotel in St. Louis for $7 a night. They moved back home to Spokane several years later, where Paul continued to work in the flooring trade business, working throughout Washington and Oregon. Eva and Paul eventually settled in the Portland, Ore., area and raised their three boys: Scott, Dan and Steve.

As their family grew, they had many grandchildren and even more great-grandchildren. Eva was known for her cooking, crafts and artistic endeavors. She was known for the beautiful homemade gifts and cards she made for family and friends, including beautiful Christmas tree ornaments each year, as well as her Swedish pancakes, lasagna and pot roast.

Eva supported her children's activities, school events and extra-curricular activities, such as sports and scouts. She even found time to be a part of a local women's bowling league. Many of the neighborhood children also remember enjoying the fruits of her labor. She made afghans for each of her grandchildren when they graduated from high school and she was a painter as well.

Eva was a woman of faith and lived by her beliefs. She observed the golden rule and treated everyone she met with the utmost of respect. Eva Arilla Ross (Dee Dee) our wife, mom, family and friend, will be sorely missed.

Eva is survived by her husband, Paul, of 65 years; sons Scott, Dan and Steve; their wives Jennifer, Christy and Dorine; grandchildren Malachi, Jessica, Nicholas, Ben, Kaylee, Daniel, Emily, Bradley, Amanda, Christian, Kellyn, Steven, Alex, Abigail, Jordan and Kamryn; and many great-grandchildren.