Elaine Gannet

Elaine Gannett, age 84, of Grants Pass, died Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at her home.

A memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m., Saturday October 11th at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 747 NE Savage St. in Grants Pass.

She was born Helen Elaine Wilson May 21, 1924 in Sacramento, California, the only child of Walter & Elizabeth Wilson. She grew up in Auburn, California and was a graduate of Placer High School. At age 16, she married Charles Clayton Gannett and had three children by the age of 19. Another son came 5 years later. She worked at DeWitt State Hospital, as a psychiatric technician, in Auburn before moving to Sacramento where she was worked her way up to Supervising Clerk in the California State Department of Mental Hygiene. Upon early retirement, she and her husband purchased a ranch in Idaho where they grew alfalfa seed and raised replacement dairy heifers. Later moves included Southern California, Florence Oregon, and then Hawaii where she and her husband grew prize winning protea flowers. The couple relocated to Fall Creek, Oregon in 1993, then in 1998 moved to Mexico where her husband passed away. She lived in Lincoln California for one year before settling in Grants Pass nine years ago.

Elaine was a devoted wife and mother, loved animals of all kinds and fond of travel. She visited many exotic places, including Europe, Tahiti, New Zealand, the Orient, Africa, and Central America. She was an avid 49er fan and enjoyed watching football and golf. She was well known for her sweet tooth, never passing up an opportunity for a banana split, clair, or chocolate of any kind.

Elaine was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Redwood Ward, formerly Grants Pass 3rd Ward

Survivors include two sons, Charlie Gannett of Grants Pass and Richard Gannett of Missoula, Montana and a daughter, Kathy Freeman of Lincoln, California; 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Charles C. Gannett who died December 1998; a son, Thomas Lee Gannett in 1987; and a grandson, Teddy Miglietto in 1965.

Remembrances may be made to Lovejoy Hospice, 939 SE 8th Street, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526.