Alice Damaris Gillespie was the great-granddaughter of Lane County, Oregon pioneer Rev. Jacob Gillespie. He was widowed in Missouri, remarried, and then with his new wife, six daughters and one son, led a wagon train to the Oregon Territory.
Alice was the granddaughter of Marcellus Melanthon Gillespie & Damaris Tandy (Benson) Gillespie, who as children were also settlers of Lane County.
Alice's great-grandmother was Sarah "Sally" Scott (Tandy) Benson. Mrs. Benson, as a Missouri widow, traveled the Oregon Trail without a husband and with her young daughters in tow.
Alice Blair was the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of just one granddaughter and just one grandson. She is the great-grandmother of eleven. Alice's granddaughter and her husband have two daughters. Alice's grandson and his wife gave birth to nine children: seven girls (including triplets) and two boys. ~~~~
From an unidentified
Clark County-area newspaper
in Washington state; No date.
IN MEMORIAM
ALICE DEMARIS GILLESPIE BLAIR
An intelligent, well-read, beloved matriarch of her family, Alice Demaris Gillespie Blair, 83, died Oct. 18, at her home in Vancouver. She was a registered nurse for 45 years, including 30 at Memorial Hospital where she was emergency room supervisor, assistant director of nursing and discharge planning coordinator.
Alice Blair was born Feb 11, 1919, in Eugene, OR to Jacob and Myrtle Corum Gillespie. Her mother, a teacher, principal and superintendent of schools, took Alice to school as a four-year-old and nurtured her love of education. In 1853 her great-grandfather established the first church in Eugene, Cumberland Presbyterian, and served as the Lane County Representative to the Oregon Territorial Government. This rich heritage instilled in Alice a life-long interest in politics, sports, community and family service.
Alice Gillespie graduated from Eugene High School in 1937 and attended the University of Oregon before transferring to the School of Nursing at Emmanuel Hospital in Portland. She finished her registered nursing degree, winning numerous awards in obstetrics and working at Dorenbecher Children's Hospital. After her marriage, she worked at St. Joseph Hospital in Vancouver and in 1950 joined the Memorial Hospital staff, working 30 continuous years until retirement in 1980.
She married Leland Blair on May 18, 1941, and they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2001. He preceded her in death five months later, on October 29, 2001.
Alice is survived by two daughters, Marilee Gamble and Linda Jacka and husband Tom, all of Vancouver; and a brother, John Gillespie and his wife Connie of Eugene. A sister, Gladys Perry preceded her in death. Other survivors are: two grandchildren and their spouses, Elia and Collin Surbert of Prindle, and Aaron and Nicole Semro of Battle Ground; and four great-grandchildren Madalyn, Joseph, Noah and Juliette Semro.
Alice also leaves behind 11 nieces and nephews and various extended family whose lives were enriched by the storytelling and nurturing influence of this remarkable woman. Alice Blair will be remembered by her wide circle of family, friends, neighbors, church family, and strangers who benefited from her influence and nursing care.
She was always aware of community events and politics and loved all sports, especially the U of O ducks, wearing their team sweatshirt for games. The Blairs enjoyed traveling, especially fishing trips at the beach and gardening. A trip to Ireland, an Alaskan cruise, and many winter trips to Arizona were among many fond memories.
Alice was a member of the Washington Nurses Association and Memorial Lutheran Church, where she enjoyed needlework and quilting for church missions. She was also quietly philanthropic, supporting many youth and civic causes. With her family, she established the Leland E. Blair Athletic Scholarship at Clark College in memory of her late husband.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mrs. Blair's name may be made to Memorial Lutheran Church, 2700 E. 28th St., Vancouver WA 98661; or to Hospice Southwest, SW Washington Medical center, 100 E. 33rd St., Suite 201, Vancouver WA 98663.
Her family feels greatly blessed by her presence in our lives and will miss her deeply. A memorial service will celebrate Alice Blair's life on Saturday, October 26 at 12:30 p.m. at Memorial Lutheran Church, 2700 E. 28th St., Vancouver.~~~~~
MEMORIAL SERVICE:
Memorial Lutheran Church, 2700 E. 28th St., Vancouver.
Pastor Dan Adams officiating
Musical Selections
Pianist Brent Gjevre
Soloist - Darcy Schmitt
"In the Garden"
"On Eagles Wings"
"Amazing Grace"
Bagpipers
Ogden Kimberley and Jeff Robins
Alice was the granddaughter of Marcellus Melanthon Gillespie & Damaris Tandy (Benson) Gillespie, who as children were also settlers of Lane County.
Alice's great-grandmother was Sarah "Sally" Scott (Tandy) Benson. Mrs. Benson, as a Missouri widow, traveled the Oregon Trail without a husband and with her young daughters in tow.
Alice Blair was the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of just one granddaughter and just one grandson. She is the great-grandmother of eleven. Alice's granddaughter and her husband have two daughters. Alice's grandson and his wife gave birth to nine children: seven girls (including triplets) and two boys. ~~~~
From an unidentified
Clark County-area newspaper
in Washington state; No date.
IN MEMORIAM
ALICE DEMARIS GILLESPIE BLAIR
An intelligent, well-read, beloved matriarch of her family, Alice Demaris Gillespie Blair, 83, died Oct. 18, at her home in Vancouver. She was a registered nurse for 45 years, including 30 at Memorial Hospital where she was emergency room supervisor, assistant director of nursing and discharge planning coordinator.
Alice Blair was born Feb 11, 1919, in Eugene, OR to Jacob and Myrtle Corum Gillespie. Her mother, a teacher, principal and superintendent of schools, took Alice to school as a four-year-old and nurtured her love of education. In 1853 her great-grandfather established the first church in Eugene, Cumberland Presbyterian, and served as the Lane County Representative to the Oregon Territorial Government. This rich heritage instilled in Alice a life-long interest in politics, sports, community and family service.
Alice Gillespie graduated from Eugene High School in 1937 and attended the University of Oregon before transferring to the School of Nursing at Emmanuel Hospital in Portland. She finished her registered nursing degree, winning numerous awards in obstetrics and working at Dorenbecher Children's Hospital. After her marriage, she worked at St. Joseph Hospital in Vancouver and in 1950 joined the Memorial Hospital staff, working 30 continuous years until retirement in 1980.
She married Leland Blair on May 18, 1941, and they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2001. He preceded her in death five months later, on October 29, 2001.
Alice is survived by two daughters, Marilee Gamble and Linda Jacka and husband Tom, all of Vancouver; and a brother, John Gillespie and his wife Connie of Eugene. A sister, Gladys Perry preceded her in death. Other survivors are: two grandchildren and their spouses, Elia and Collin Surbert of Prindle, and Aaron and Nicole Semro of Battle Ground; and four great-grandchildren Madalyn, Joseph, Noah and Juliette Semro.
Alice also leaves behind 11 nieces and nephews and various extended family whose lives were enriched by the storytelling and nurturing influence of this remarkable woman. Alice Blair will be remembered by her wide circle of family, friends, neighbors, church family, and strangers who benefited from her influence and nursing care.
She was always aware of community events and politics and loved all sports, especially the U of O ducks, wearing their team sweatshirt for games. The Blairs enjoyed traveling, especially fishing trips at the beach and gardening. A trip to Ireland, an Alaskan cruise, and many winter trips to Arizona were among many fond memories.
Alice was a member of the Washington Nurses Association and Memorial Lutheran Church, where she enjoyed needlework and quilting for church missions. She was also quietly philanthropic, supporting many youth and civic causes. With her family, she established the Leland E. Blair Athletic Scholarship at Clark College in memory of her late husband.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mrs. Blair's name may be made to Memorial Lutheran Church, 2700 E. 28th St., Vancouver WA 98661; or to Hospice Southwest, SW Washington Medical center, 100 E. 33rd St., Suite 201, Vancouver WA 98663.
Her family feels greatly blessed by her presence in our lives and will miss her deeply. A memorial service will celebrate Alice Blair's life on Saturday, October 26 at 12:30 p.m. at Memorial Lutheran Church, 2700 E. 28th St., Vancouver.~~~~~
MEMORIAL SERVICE:
Memorial Lutheran Church, 2700 E. 28th St., Vancouver.
Pastor Dan Adams officiating
Musical Selections
Pianist Brent Gjevre
Soloist - Darcy Schmitt
"In the Garden"
"On Eagles Wings"
"Amazing Grace"
Bagpipers
Ogden Kimberley and Jeff Robins
Alice Damaris Gillespie was the great-granddaughter of Lane County, Oregon pioneer Rev. Jacob Gillespie. He was widowed in Missouri, remarried, and then with his new wife, six daughters and one son, led a wagon train to the Oregon Territory.
Alice was the granddaughter of Marcellus Melanthon Gillespie & Damaris Tandy (Benson) Gillespie, who as children were also settlers of Lane County.
Alice's great-grandmother was Sarah "Sally" Scott (Tandy) Benson. Mrs. Benson, as a Missouri widow, traveled the Oregon Trail without a husband and with her young daughters in tow.
Alice Blair was the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of just one granddaughter and just one grandson. She is the great-grandmother of eleven. Alice's granddaughter and her husband have two daughters. Alice's grandson and his wife gave birth to nine children: seven girls (including triplets) and two boys. ~~~~
From an unidentified
Clark County-area newspaper
in Washington state; No date.
IN MEMORIAM
ALICE DEMARIS GILLESPIE BLAIR
An intelligent, well-read, beloved matriarch of her family, Alice Demaris Gillespie Blair, 83, died Oct. 18, at her home in Vancouver. She was a registered nurse for 45 years, including 30 at Memorial Hospital where she was emergency room supervisor, assistant director of nursing and discharge planning coordinator.
Alice Blair was born Feb 11, 1919, in Eugene, OR to Jacob and Myrtle Corum Gillespie. Her mother, a teacher, principal and superintendent of schools, took Alice to school as a four-year-old and nurtured her love of education. In 1853 her great-grandfather established the first church in Eugene, Cumberland Presbyterian, and served as the Lane County Representative to the Oregon Territorial Government. This rich heritage instilled in Alice a life-long interest in politics, sports, community and family service.
Alice Gillespie graduated from Eugene High School in 1937 and attended the University of Oregon before transferring to the School of Nursing at Emmanuel Hospital in Portland. She finished her registered nursing degree, winning numerous awards in obstetrics and working at Dorenbecher Children's Hospital. After her marriage, she worked at St. Joseph Hospital in Vancouver and in 1950 joined the Memorial Hospital staff, working 30 continuous years until retirement in 1980.
She married Leland Blair on May 18, 1941, and they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2001. He preceded her in death five months later, on October 29, 2001.
Alice is survived by two daughters, Marilee Gamble and Linda Jacka and husband Tom, all of Vancouver; and a brother, John Gillespie and his wife Connie of Eugene. A sister, Gladys Perry preceded her in death. Other survivors are: two grandchildren and their spouses, Elia and Collin Surbert of Prindle, and Aaron and Nicole Semro of Battle Ground; and four great-grandchildren Madalyn, Joseph, Noah and Juliette Semro.
Alice also leaves behind 11 nieces and nephews and various extended family whose lives were enriched by the storytelling and nurturing influence of this remarkable woman. Alice Blair will be remembered by her wide circle of family, friends, neighbors, church family, and strangers who benefited from her influence and nursing care.
She was always aware of community events and politics and loved all sports, especially the U of O ducks, wearing their team sweatshirt for games. The Blairs enjoyed traveling, especially fishing trips at the beach and gardening. A trip to Ireland, an Alaskan cruise, and many winter trips to Arizona were among many fond memories.
Alice was a member of the Washington Nurses Association and Memorial Lutheran Church, where she enjoyed needlework and quilting for church missions. She was also quietly philanthropic, supporting many youth and civic causes. With her family, she established the Leland E. Blair Athletic Scholarship at Clark College in memory of her late husband.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mrs. Blair's name may be made to Memorial Lutheran Church, 2700 E. 28th St., Vancouver WA 98661; or to Hospice Southwest, SW Washington Medical center, 100 E. 33rd St., Suite 201, Vancouver WA 98663.
Her family feels greatly blessed by her presence in our lives and will miss her deeply. A memorial service will celebrate Alice Blair's life on Saturday, October 26 at 12:30 p.m. at Memorial Lutheran Church, 2700 E. 28th St., Vancouver.~~~~~
MEMORIAL SERVICE:
Memorial Lutheran Church, 2700 E. 28th St., Vancouver.
Pastor Dan Adams officiating
Musical Selections
Pianist Brent Gjevre
Soloist - Darcy Schmitt
"In the Garden"
"On Eagles Wings"
"Amazing Grace"
Bagpipers
Ogden Kimberley and Jeff Robins
Alice was the granddaughter of Marcellus Melanthon Gillespie & Damaris Tandy (Benson) Gillespie, who as children were also settlers of Lane County.
Alice's great-grandmother was Sarah "Sally" Scott (Tandy) Benson. Mrs. Benson, as a Missouri widow, traveled the Oregon Trail without a husband and with her young daughters in tow.
Alice Blair was the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of just one granddaughter and just one grandson. She is the great-grandmother of eleven. Alice's granddaughter and her husband have two daughters. Alice's grandson and his wife gave birth to nine children: seven girls (including triplets) and two boys. ~~~~
From an unidentified
Clark County-area newspaper
in Washington state; No date.
IN MEMORIAM
ALICE DEMARIS GILLESPIE BLAIR
An intelligent, well-read, beloved matriarch of her family, Alice Demaris Gillespie Blair, 83, died Oct. 18, at her home in Vancouver. She was a registered nurse for 45 years, including 30 at Memorial Hospital where she was emergency room supervisor, assistant director of nursing and discharge planning coordinator.
Alice Blair was born Feb 11, 1919, in Eugene, OR to Jacob and Myrtle Corum Gillespie. Her mother, a teacher, principal and superintendent of schools, took Alice to school as a four-year-old and nurtured her love of education. In 1853 her great-grandfather established the first church in Eugene, Cumberland Presbyterian, and served as the Lane County Representative to the Oregon Territorial Government. This rich heritage instilled in Alice a life-long interest in politics, sports, community and family service.
Alice Gillespie graduated from Eugene High School in 1937 and attended the University of Oregon before transferring to the School of Nursing at Emmanuel Hospital in Portland. She finished her registered nursing degree, winning numerous awards in obstetrics and working at Dorenbecher Children's Hospital. After her marriage, she worked at St. Joseph Hospital in Vancouver and in 1950 joined the Memorial Hospital staff, working 30 continuous years until retirement in 1980.
She married Leland Blair on May 18, 1941, and they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2001. He preceded her in death five months later, on October 29, 2001.
Alice is survived by two daughters, Marilee Gamble and Linda Jacka and husband Tom, all of Vancouver; and a brother, John Gillespie and his wife Connie of Eugene. A sister, Gladys Perry preceded her in death. Other survivors are: two grandchildren and their spouses, Elia and Collin Surbert of Prindle, and Aaron and Nicole Semro of Battle Ground; and four great-grandchildren Madalyn, Joseph, Noah and Juliette Semro.
Alice also leaves behind 11 nieces and nephews and various extended family whose lives were enriched by the storytelling and nurturing influence of this remarkable woman. Alice Blair will be remembered by her wide circle of family, friends, neighbors, church family, and strangers who benefited from her influence and nursing care.
She was always aware of community events and politics and loved all sports, especially the U of O ducks, wearing their team sweatshirt for games. The Blairs enjoyed traveling, especially fishing trips at the beach and gardening. A trip to Ireland, an Alaskan cruise, and many winter trips to Arizona were among many fond memories.
Alice was a member of the Washington Nurses Association and Memorial Lutheran Church, where she enjoyed needlework and quilting for church missions. She was also quietly philanthropic, supporting many youth and civic causes. With her family, she established the Leland E. Blair Athletic Scholarship at Clark College in memory of her late husband.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mrs. Blair's name may be made to Memorial Lutheran Church, 2700 E. 28th St., Vancouver WA 98661; or to Hospice Southwest, SW Washington Medical center, 100 E. 33rd St., Suite 201, Vancouver WA 98663.
Her family feels greatly blessed by her presence in our lives and will miss her deeply. A memorial service will celebrate Alice Blair's life on Saturday, October 26 at 12:30 p.m. at Memorial Lutheran Church, 2700 E. 28th St., Vancouver.~~~~~
MEMORIAL SERVICE:
Memorial Lutheran Church, 2700 E. 28th St., Vancouver.
Pastor Dan Adams officiating
Musical Selections
Pianist Brent Gjevre
Soloist - Darcy Schmitt
"In the Garden"
"On Eagles Wings"
"Amazing Grace"
Bagpipers
Ogden Kimberley and Jeff Robins
