Baker City, Oregon
Jessie Elizabeth McLeish, 88, a longtime Baker City resident, died April 21, 2001, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
Her memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Coles-Strommer Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Pastor Ralph Holcomb will officiate. Friends and family are invited to the American Legion, 2129 Second St., for a time of fellowship and sharing after the service. There will be a private vault interment after the service.
Mrs. McLeish was born on Oct. 20, 1912, at North Powder. She was a daughter of Ira and Laura Luster Emery. She attended school at Pocahontas and was a Baker High School graduate. She worked for several years at the laundry and as a waitress for several restaurants until she met George McLeish. They were married at Carson City, Nev., on July 21, 1951. After their marriage, she became a housewife and took care of her husband and their home.
She loved all flowers and had a beautiful flower garden, which she enjoyed immensely. She also loved to do crossword puzzles and completed one every day.
Another favorite pastime was gambling, and she and her husband looked forward to the twice yearly trips to Nevada, where she was always lucky. She really enjoyed playing the video poker machines. She was a member of the Anthony Lakes Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary, Post 3048.
Survivors include her husband of 49 years, George McLeish of Baker City; her brother-in-law, George Turner and his wife, Effie, of Baker City; her sister-in-law, Doris Burton of Milwaukie; special friends, Louise and Bill Balfour, Ed and Margaret Hindman and Bob and Joan Scarbrough, all of Baker City; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Pearl “Babe” Turner, and twin sister, Bessie Rank; and a brother, Duane Emery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, the VFW Auxiliary Cancer Fund or a charity of one’s choice through the Coles-Strommer Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: The Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, April 30, 2001
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor