Gail Marie Phillips, 71

Gail Phillips, of Otis Orchards, Wash., passed away Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017, at home with her loving husband by her side.

Gail Marie Price was born in Spokane, Wash., on Aug. 6, 1946, to Herbert Lonnie and Gracie Price. She grew up in Dalton Gardens, Idaho, and graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1964. Gail worked in Yellowstone National Park and for General Telephone at their Coeur d’Alene and Moscow offices. She attended North Idaho Junior College and the University of Idaho to earn her teaching degree.

Gail married the love of her life, Henry William Phillips, on Oct. 25, 1969. They resided in the Coeur d’Alene area, and Gail taught at Post Falls Elementary. In 1970 the happy couple welcomed son, Jeffery Allen, and in 1973, daughter, Rebecca Dawn.

After moving to Spokane Valley in 1974, Gail stayed home to raise her children and opened a licensed home daycare which she operated for many years. Camping at Little Diamond, family vacations and school events were important to Gail. She and Henry volunteered with the East Valley Booster Club while Jeff and Becky were in high school.

In 1994, Gail and Henry moved to Otis Orchards. In her retirement years, Gail was a doting grandma who loved helping with the grandkids. After being disabled by a genetic blindness, she still enjoyed being on the sidelines for her grandchildren’s events and activities. Gail and Henry enjoyed traveling to the Hawaiian Islands and Alaska as well as throughout Washington. Gail also developed a passion for casino gambling — and fortunately some luck in that, too. She loved to watch and listen to Seattle Mariners’ baseball games and never missed a Gonzaga basketball game.

Gail is survived by husband, Henry, at their home in Otis Orchards; children, Jeff Phillips and Jennifer King, of Otis Orchards, and Becky and Mike Tee, of Latah, Wash.; siblings and their spouses, Dan and Jane Price, of Cataldo, Idaho, Barry Price, of Dalton Gardens, Lonnie Price and Heidi Johnson, of Bellevue, Wash. and Doris and Mike Wear, of Moscow, Idaho; grandchildren, Mikayla King, Alyssa Tee, Damon King and Michaela Tee and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be 10 a.m., Dec. 8, 2017, at Latah Country Bible Church, 411 N. Pine St., Latah, Wash., with Pastor Mark MeWhinney officiating. A potluck dinner will follow. A private family service will be held later at Spokane Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, Gail’s family suggests memorial gifts be made to Hospice of Spokane, PO Box 2215, Spokane, WA 99216-2215.