Elsie Milford's Obituary
ELSIE M. MILFORD
APRIL 10, 1914 ~ APRIL 10, 2009
Elsie M. Milford passed from our presence in the early morning of Friday, April 10, 2009, her 95th birthday. Elsie was the third of six children born to Philip Sr. and Elsie Walesby. She was born in a home near 56th and Thompson, in Tacoma; however during the majority of her youth she lived with her parents and siblings in the large family home at 801 North "L" St. She was a 1933 graduate of Stadium High School. In November 1934 she married Murray "Doug" Whipple. In 1939 they had one son, Cliff. Elsie and Doug later divorced. In September 1944 Elsie married Charles "Chuck" Sanderson. Elsie and Chuck had one son, Bruce. Chuck preceded her in death in November 1985. In June 1988 Elsie married Donald L. Milford. To her delight that marriage added two step-daughters, a step-son, a daughter-in-law, and four grandchildren - although Elsie never regarded them as "step-children" - they were always "just a few more of her kids." They were her family - and they all regarded her as "Mom" or Grandma." After nine wonderful years of marriage (not one harsh word was spoken between Elsie and Don in the entire nine years). Don unexpectedly passed away in 1997. Elsie was an optimistic soul and as gentle a spirit as the soft pastel colored wardrobe which was almost her trademark. She always viewed the glass as half full. No one ever offended her to the point that she was unable to forgive them. She always had a smile to greet old friends or new. Everyone who entered her life became "special." Any gathering of friends or family was a reason for celebration. Holidays, birthdays anniversaries, picnics, or "just because" brought excitement to her. Decorating the house for Easter, or Christmas, or Thanksgiving was looked forward to for weeks. She, truly, celebrated life each day. Her appreciation of music extended from Western to semi-classical, to big-bands. Her favorite Christmas carol was "Silent Night", and her favorite religious song was "In the Garden." And, oh, how she loved to dance. It was not just a recreation. It was a passion - from high school afternoon matinee dances, to the ball rooms of the 40's and 50's to neighborhood basement parties. She found pleasure in yard work, canning fruits and vegetables, digging clams, camping, knitting, needle point, playing cards, family gatherings, travelling, cooking, reading novels and staying up until the wee hours of the morning watching old movies on television. But, without doubt, her greatest pleasure was the opportunity to take care of, and spoil beyond measure, her grandchildren. Over the years Elsie was affiliated with several Christian churches. However, in the end she attended St. Charles Borromeo. As the years progressed her hearing became impaired and it was difficult for her to hear the spoken word from the pulpit. But, she made it a point to sit as near as possible to the choir and found joy in the ministry of music. She looked forward to being involved in her children's activities. She was a Cub Scout den mother and, it seems, was always a "home room Mom" and active in the PTA. She held several office positions in the Franklin Grade School PTA and was the first recipient of that organization's Golden Acorn Award. As her boys progressed to Junior High School she remained involved in most anything in which her sons had an interest. The family wishes to express its deepest gratitude to the Franciscan Hospice staff, especially Gina, R.N. and Chaplain Sherry, for their kindness, guidance and never-ending physical and spiritual care for Mom and the family in recent months. The family also wishes to recognize Dr. Richard Waltman and his staff for their compassionate care over the years and those staff members at the Wynwood Allenmore Assisted Living facility who consistently went "above and beyond" to make Mom's life as comfortable and pleasant as possible. Elsie is survived by sons, Cliff Whipple of Tumwater and Bruce Sanderson (Jo Anne) of Sumner; a sister Dorothy Hagen, Allyn; daughter-in-law Carole Whipple, Renton; an "adopted daughter" Joan Flowerbird, Olympia; son Michael Milford (Jane), Yakima; daughters Patricia Isard (Geoff), Vernon, B.C.; and Lynda Baccetti (Rod), Port Orchard; 12 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren (with two more on the way), and numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces. Elsie was preceded in death by brothers Roy, Philip, Jr., and Robert Walesby, and sister Ethel J. Bowman. There will be a private family burial on Thursday, April 16 followed by a memorial service in the Aspen Chapel at 1:00. The burial and memorial service will be held at Mountain View Cemetery, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood, WA. In lieu of flowers donations are suggested to Franciscan Hospice Foundation, 2901 Bridgeport Way West, University Place, WA 98467, or the Tacoma Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 1912, Tacoma, WA 98401. Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home, 253-584-0252. Please sign the online guestbook at www.mountainviewtacoma.com
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