Dell Douglass Ely, 86
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 15 years AGO
Dell Douglass Ely passed away Aug. 14, 2011, in Coeur d'Alene. She was born to William and Lola Douglass on June 29, 1925, in Johnson County, Ind.
She graduated from high school in Franklin, Ind., and went on to obtain a degree in home economics from Purdue University. Dell married John C. Ely from Glasgow, Ky., in 1947 and they lived in New Orleans, La., while he completed medical school at Tulane University. Jack and Dell moved to Spokane in 1950 where they raised three children and he practiced family medicine for 35-plus years. She obtained another degree in art from Eastern Washington University in the 1980s.
Dell and Jack bought property in Mica Bay on Lake Coeur d'Alene and spent many happy summers there with their children and friends. They traveled widely, living in Bangkok, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia and enjoyed their retirement home on the river in Post Falls. She lived her last years at Fairwinds Retirement Home.
Dell loved to paint and many Spokane and Coeur d'Alene homes are graced with her art work. For a short time she ran an art supply and teaching shop with two friends. Her home was always an eclectic blend of her artwork and the collected treasures of world travel.
Dell is survived by her three children, Jane Roye (Steve) of Coeur d'Alene, John of Post Falls and Adrienne (Davis) of Port Townsend, Wash. She has six grandchildren.
No services will be held at this time. Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene, has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Dell's online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign her guest book.