Celia Deloris Thompson Obituary (1929

Celia Deloris Thompson passed peacefully at her home in Ellensburg on Monday, January 9, 2023. She was 93 years old, just 28 days short of her 94th birthday. Celia was born on February 6, 1929, in Wilbur, Washington Elsworth Elmer Jones and Lockey Gladys (Copenhaver) Jones. Celia was the youngest of their four children, joining siblings Selma (Martin), Bill and Bob. Growing up on a wheat farm in the Big Bend country, north of Wilbur in Lincoln County, Celias creativity won her early recognition in the local newspaper for her drawing of a fireplace at Christmas time. She learned to drive at 12, and at 13, during harvest, daily drove a grain truck 15 miles from the farm into Wilbur to deliver wheat to the grain elevators. ln high school, she played tennis, was in Rainbow Club, a majorette and homecoming queen. After gradu- ating from Wilbur High School in 1947 she attended Eastern Washington State College. Her dream was to become a fashion designer and then she met her first husband and the father of her four children, Enos Edwin Underwood. They were married in Coeur dAlene, Idaho, in 1949. Celia painted houses during Enos last two years at Eastern to help get him through school. Terri was born in Spokane, followed two years later by Monte and then Mark, who were both born in Grand Coulee, WA, and Mike (Pre- cious), who arrived in Ellensburg in1959 on his mothers 30th birthday. The family moved to Ellensburg in 1958 when Enos was hired by Central Washington State College (now CWU) as its Registrar and Director of Admissions. Celia soon started a home business, doing sewing and alterations. From wedding dresses, prom for- mals, to mens suits, she finally did become a "fashion designer." Her favorite projects were making five dresses for a Kern family wedding and many Halloween costumes. In 1972 our parents divorced. Mom, with all three boys still at home, continued as a seamstress and began a full-time job work- ing for the Kittitas Reclamation District. She worked there for seven years and loved every minute. In 1979, our mother married family friend and dentist, Dr. Robert Thompson. They eloped to Tahoe, California. When asked recently, she said - it was her favorite memory. They had 30 wonderful years together in Ellensburg, enjoying winters in Surprise, Arizona. Bobs sense of humor and creativity brought to our family a lot of fun. He embraced our entire family as his own. There were many loves in her life, including designing and tirelessly completing handmade quilts. Bob and Mom, for many years, created intricate Christmas ornaments made of clay, wood, and handmade clothing for friends and family. These, along with the quilts, are cherished by all of us. The outdoors were a treasure of memories through the years with mountain trips to secure morels and Stampede Pass huckleber- ries. Lunches often included juicy hamburgers cooked over burn- ing pages of past read Daily Records! Tending to her garden and loving her dog Callie were special to her. She worked hard and enjoyed playing just as hard. She was a great Bridge player and could beat you easily in a social game of Slideass Gin. Her golf game was steady and precise, with accurate chipping and putting. She could whip up a tasty dinner for large and small groups alike, and finish it off with homemade huckleberry or chocolate meringue pie. In the morning she could chop the heads off a dozen chickens, boil, pluck, and can them by early afternoon, then get polished up for an evening of Rigadoon dancing! She was an outstanding seamstress, making dresses, outfits, and alterations as the pins flew and her sewing machine purred at record speed. She made pans of homemade soap, peanut brittle hard candy, and "million dollar" fudge. Her affinity for maintaining the old home at 705 N Pine Street could even test her daredevil limits. When needed she would place a rickety 2x12 board over and onto the upstairs railing to the windowsill spanning the stairway below. A fresh coat of paint, hanging new window covers, or simply washing the windows might be the job of the day. She loved hearing a good joke followed by a wonderful belly laugh from head to toe. She diligently maintained her beautiful fountain area, planting and winterizing her 60 geraniums, and dead heading roses. Our mother loved life, her family, her network of social friends, and the community of Ellensburg. She did belong to sev- eral clubs through the years including: The Ellensburg Country Club, Study Club, her Quilting Club, a Garden Club, Crafting Club and the Friday Night Supper Club. The neighbors around her Car- riage Loop home enveloped her with love and care. "Thank you!": Pam,TJ, Nancy, Lora, Dale, Carol and Tony. She lived a long, productive, enjoyable life that many had the pleasure of experi- encing with her. Years ago, Joe Powell, her son Marks brother-in- law, came to town with a neighborly delivery of fruit for Celia. A note on the door said, "Just come on in Joe - Im in the shower." An inadvertent joke that was vintage Celia. Celia is survived by her four children: Terri (Paul) Schaake and their children, Mark (Caitlin) Schaake and Heather (Klemens) Hofer; Monte (Ona Karasa) Underwood and their children, Stacy (Paolo) Piccinetti , Daniel Underwood, and Lukas (Alexandra) and Alec Anderson; Mark (Peggy) Underwood and their children, Trent (Lindsay) Underwood, Riley (Cathy) Underwood, and Kelsey (Swen) Anderson; and Mike (LaDonna) Underwood and their chil- dren, Torrey (Cody) Graves and Jake (Alexis) Underwood. She is also survived by her sixteen great-grandchildren: Lukas, William, Henry, and Flora Hofer; Kennedy, George, and Andrew Schaake; Mia Piccinetti; Everly, Ellington, and Behr Underwood; Jett and Lyla Underwood; Cohen and Copelan Anderson; and Ronin Graves, who has a baby sister on the way. Celias family extends a special "Thank you!" to Joann OKeefe for her tender care giving during Celias last six months, and also to another angel, Jaimee Castro. Hospice nurses Jay McDonald, Heidi and her daughter Haley were so very kind, their concern heartwarming. And a last, "Thank you!" to Joann, Pam and TJ Marsh for their help with getting our mothers home ready for the next lucky neighbor. A Celebration of Life will be held in August in Ellensburg. Memorials may be made payable to FISH Food Bank or a charity of your choice and sent in care of Brookside Funeral Home (PO Box 577, Ellensburg, WA 98926), who is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com.