Prue French, 88

Pruedence Augusta Morach was born March 29, 1939, in Seattle and was adopted by Julia and Walter Morach of Spokane. She spent her formative years in Ritzville and later moved to Spokane, where she attended Lewis & Clark High School. She was active in the band and was part of the Spokane Symphony, playing bass. After high school, she decided to attend the University of Montana, where she studied Education and would later meet her future husband, Garry Merle French. She was from Washington State, he was from Montana, so they decided to settle in the middle ... Idaho. The two were married in the 1950s at the Presbyterian Church. She and Garry had five children: Debbie (French) Strong, Jennifer French, Todd French, Candace (French) Jones and Jonathan French.  

Prue and Garry ran the White Pine Drug Store in Potlatch, Idaho, for 30 years. Prue was an active member of Eastern Star and served as Worthy Grand Matron several times. She was in the Latah County Women's Bowling League and was Champion Bowler several years in a row at the Bowlerama in Moscow. She was one of the last surviving members of the Potlatch Ladies Bridge Club who played bridge with the likes of Janie Nirk, Elizabeth Brabb and Janet Rohn, to name a few.

In the 1970s, Prue was the Jr Miss President and helped young high school girls like Judy Bidlake, Sharon Largent, Dianne Vowels, Kelly Rohn and Kelly Keck Glaze (to name a few) step into womanhood with poise and grace. She was also a Campfire Girl Leader for many years, mentoring girls like Terri Colvin, Rochelle Pettibone, Sallie Vowels, Bonnie Bunney, Kellie Rounds, Cathy Cook and Terri Cook, to name a few.

Prue was also a lifeguard at the Potlatch Public Pool, taught swimming to young children and loved helping the water babies.

Later in life, she decided to go back to college and finish her degree in Education, which she had previously put on hold to raise a family. She graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in Education. She got her first teaching job at Dietrich High School in Southern Idaho. One day, a dear friend and Potlatch resident (Mrs. Kinman) told Mom what an inspiration she had been to go back to college at her age. She had inspired Mrs. Kinman to do the same, pursue higher education for herself, and reach and fulfill her own dreams as well. Mom always said, "It was never too late."

She loved being a grandmother and great-grandmother. She had five grandchildren: Adam Strong, Matt Strong (deceased), Justin Jones, Jacob Jones and Katherine French. She had six great-grandchildren.

One of her last enjoyments was watching FOX NEWS and having her Gin & Tonic at precisely 4 p.m. If she didn't hear the ice dropping in the glass at 3:59 p.m., she would wheel her walker to find you and "accidentally" ram you in the back of your heel to remind you it was almost 4 p.m.! Her selective hearing was uncanny. She couldn't hear you if you told her it was time to take a shower, but she had "dog ears" when it was "teatime" or dinnertime. That's what made Prue so charming. Her dry sense of humor is coupled with an affectionate, but quite loving nature.  

She is the last of her generation. She lived through World War II, saw men travel to the moon and witnessed the invention of microwaves, cell phones and laptop computers, as well as the emergence of AI. She was one of a kind and will be missed.

Prue will be laid to rest at the Ritzville Cemetery on May 28, 2026.

To reach Todd French, 389 Oregon Lane, Boca Raton, FL 33487, or Candace Jones, 86 W 142 Rupert, ID 83350.