DEATH NOTICES
Tuesday, August 11, 2009 10:53 AM PDT
Mary T. AshcraftMary T. Ashcraft, 88, Weiser, died Friday, Aug. 7, 2009 in Weiser.
Graveside Services will be held Saturday, Aug. 15 at 10 a.m. at the Canyon Hill Cemetery in Caldwell under the direction of Thomason Funeral Home, Weiser. Condolences may be sent to the family at
www.lienkaemper-thomason.com.
Eleanor Cleament Barlow
Eleanor Cleament Barlow 84 of Vale died Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009 in Lehi, Utah. Services pending Lienkaemper Chapel, Vale
Mary Kamimae
Mary Kamimae, 76, of Ontario died Saturday, Aug. 8 at Holy Rosary Medical Center. Services pending Lienkaemper Chapel, Ontario.
Thomas Roy Springer
Thomas Roy Springer 66 of Ontario, died Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009 at home. Arrangements by Lienkaemper Chapel, Ontario.
Louise Wilson Stafford
“Lou”
August 8, 2009-June 4, 1926
Payette
Louise Wilson Stafford (“Lou”), age 83, passed away early on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009, in Payette, Idaho. Lou and her twin sister were born in Higdon, Arkansas, on June 4, 1926. The family migrated west in the 1930’s and lived in central California.
In 1944, while working in the Officers Club at Merced Air Force Base, Lou met Flight Instructor Lieutenant Del Stafford. Del’s heart took flight in the presence of this dark-haired, green-eyed beauty, and they had great fun courting. Pianist Skitch Henderson was among Del’s flying buddies, and Skitch was inspired to play for Lou sometimes. Del and Lou were married a few months before the war ended in 1945. During their life together, they lived in northern California, Yuma, AZ (where they owned and operated an A&W restaurant for several years), and in southern and eastern Oregon. They celebrated 64 years of marriage earlier this year.
Lou was a whole-hearted homemaker. She contributed to the household by budgeting, gardening, cooking, canning and freezing food, hauling wood, and sewing clothes for the whole family. She became an expert seamstress and was undaunted by projects such as making drapes for the house, stitching quilts of any size, making tailored shirts or jackets for Del and son, and dresses, blouses and lined wool suits for herself and daughter. She also made dolls, bears, and other stuffed animals for her grandchildren.
Lou loved fabric stores, and she always had a project underway or in mind.
Lou is survived by husband Del Stafford of Ontario, daughter Elaine Stafford of Tacoma, Washington, son Wayne Stafford (Diane) of Weiser, granddaughters Cassie Stafford of Baker and Natalie Longtin of Ontario, and great grandchildren Memphis, Seren, and Tayler. She was preceded in death by her brother James Wilson. She is survived also by twin sister Verlie Davis of Lake Isabella, California, and sister Gussie McBride of Jerome, Idaho, along with numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, and caring neighbors.
A memorial celebration of Lou’s life will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, August 12, at the First Church of the Nazarene in Ontario. The family wishes to express gratitude to Sheri Slabaugh and her assistants in Payette, and to the staff of Heart ‘n Home Hospice in Fruitland, for the loving care provided to Lou in her final weeks. Special thanks also to members of the Nazarene Church who have delivered abundant meals to the family during this time of bereavement.
