Last Updated on January 14, 2012 by
Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon
Wallowa County native Ethel Mary Scott, who wrote a book about her life growing up in Wallowa County, died April 21, 1989, at Grande Ronde Hospital. She was 80.
She was born May 25, 1908, at Joseph to William and Vergie (Pinkley) Halsy.
Mrs. Scott graduated from Joseph High School and later from Behnke-Walker Business School in Portland. Following graduation from Business school she worked for an attorney in Joseph.
She was married to Noel S. Scott of Wallowa on Christmas day, 1928 in Wallowa. He preceded her in death in 1986.
The Scotts owned and operated the Sweet Shop in Joseph and, in the early 1930s moved to Crickett Flat, 13 miles from Elgin, where the owned and operated a ranch and raised four children. In 1965 Noel and Ethel retired from ranching and moved to Elgin where they worked for United Farm Agency and in 1975 Ethel retired. They traveled extensively through Europe and other countries and in 1979 she wrote her autobiography which was published and named “Heritage of the Wallowas.”
She was a member of the First Methodist Church of Elgin, W.S.C.S. past member of the Grange and many other organizations. She was named Woman of the Year in Elgin. She was an avid gardener and always kept a full cookie jar for family and friends.
She moved into the Grande Ronde Retirement Center in La Grande in 1980.
Survivors include one son, Harlan Scott, Prineville; daughters, Rosalie Winter and Anita Wilson, La Grande, Marilyn Thompson, Baker; sister, Ilma Shinn, Enterprise; brothers, Jack Halsey, Elgin, and Ken Halsey, Pasco,Wash.; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
Services were held April 24, at the United Methodist Church in La Grande with Rev. Bruce McConnell and Rev. Jay Lucas officiating. Private family internment was at the Elgin Cemetery.
Friends may make memorials to the Ethel M. Scott Memorial Fund in care of Payne Family Mortuary, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande, OR 97850
Source: Wallowa County Chieftain, Thurs., April 27, 1989
Contributed by: Sue Wells
