Eunice Spalding-Brinkerhoff, 91

Eunice Irene (Spalding) Brinkerhoff, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, 91, passed away peacefully at home in Surprise, Arizona, on August 22, 2024, with her daughter Beth Ann and son Dennis at her side.

Eunice was born September 22, 1932, in Copeland, Idaho, on the family ranch, to Henry and Anna Spalding. She was the fourth child out of nine. Eunice attended school in Bonners Ferry and graduated in 1951. She went on to college at the University of Moscow before meeting Earl Brinkerhoff whom she wed in 1954. After Earl’s discharge from the Air Force they headed north to Alaska in 1959 the year of statehood where they resided until 1978. 

After many long winters, Eunice and Earl returned to Earl’s hometown of Bicknell, Utah, for three years before moving farther south to Phoenix in 1981. They enjoy the beautiful sunshine residing in Sun City Grand until her death.

Eunice enjoyed family above all else and every summer she would pack their motorhome and they would drive up to Alaska to visit their children and grandchildren, spending quality time fishing and camping. These trips were special moments in her life. She cherished visiting her family along the way and the majestic beauty of America's highways and wildlife.

Eunice will be remembered by her family and friends as bubbly and warm. Her favorite activities were playing cards, western movies, crafts and family get-togethers. She was a simple woman with a slight stature but feisty nature. In all her travels and adventures she considered Bonners Ferry her hometown, the best place on earth to have been born and raised in a large close-knit family.

Eunice was very proud of the fact that she drove the Alaskan highway which was 1,300 miles of dirt road one-way alone with her three young children and a few dogs, every summer to visit  her family in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, then on to Utah to see Earl’s family.

Eunice is preceded in death by her husband, Earl; daughter, Charlene; parents, Henry and Anna;  and brothers, Virgil, Jim, Frank, Don, Ray and Bill

She is survived by her children, Dennis Brinkerhoff, Arizona; Beth Ann Shropshire, Hawaii; grandchildren, Dylan and Julia Shropshire, Garrett and Spencer Mclean, Tess and Ross Brinkerhoff, great-grandchildren, Bodhi, Samaya and Uma Shropshire, Emma and Riley Mclean, Aliyah and Cruz Brinkerhoff; sister Beth and Kearlee Wright, brother Bob and Ione Spalding; and many nieces and nephews she loved.

Eunice requested no services and her ashes will be interred with her family in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. The family requests you donate to your local Hospice which offered so much support in the final months.

“For death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity.”