Lifelong Coeur d'Alene resident Velma (Elaine) Mooney Suckow joined her heavenly Father on April 18, 2011. Elaine was born April 25, 1920, to Calvert and Ara Mooney in Coeur d'Alene and attended Coeur d'Alene schools.

She and her three sisters Lorraine (Dolly), Cecile and Kathleen (Katie) grew up playing on Tubbs Hill when the trees were small and you could sled down the hill; docks, steamboats, float houses, the mill and trains were just off the city park; the north side of I-90 was still trees and farmlands; days before Fernan was a village and Sanders Beach had no seawalls nor private island. She and her relatives spent many hours at Sanders Beach and Elaine even swam across Lake Coeur d'Alene. Elaine told numerous stories of her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins of the Cougar Gulch area and the good times shared together.

Elaine married Bert Booth and they had a daughter and two sons. Later divorced, she married Emil R. Suckow and had one daughter. Elaine was a restaurant cook for more than 45 years throughout the Coeur d'Alene area and shared many a story with all she met. She was the last member of the local chapter of the Women's Relief Corp, supporting military men and women.

She was active in scouting, serving as den mother and leader for the neighborhood children and was involved with the junior bowling association. She enjoyed her bible, camping, fishing, bowling, golf, playing the piano and all arts and crafts. Elaine remembered what she called "the Good Days of Coeur d'Alene when neighbors helped each other and you could leave your doors unlocked."

Elaine is survived by her four children: Bonnie Booth Knight of Kennewick, Wash., Cal Booth, of Moscow, Cecil W. Booth and wife Patricia of Hayden Lake, Mary A. Suckow of Coeur d'Alene; eight grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. Elaine has one living sister, Kathleen (Kate) Kulstad and her husband Rod of Stevensville, Mont.

The family would like to thank the Autumn Haven I staff for their loving, compassionate care, Dr. Melchiore of Onsite for Seniors and Hospice of North Idaho. Onsite for Seniors is a Christian, nonprofit organization that serves disabled seniors in their homes and local care centers. Donations can be made to Onsite for Seniors in Hayden, Hospice of North Idaho or the Shriners Children's Hospital, Spokane.

No services will be held at this time; the family will gather at a later date to celebrate Elaine's life and remember "the Good old days of Coeur d'Alene."

Please visit Elaine's online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.