Ethel Blakey
Ethel Margaret Smith Blakey was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on Nov. 2, 1924, the daughter of Frank and Frances (Weddell) Smith. She died at her home in Goldendale May 20, 2010, at the age of 85.
As a child, Ethel had fond memories of her father taking all the children to sleep in the new hay until summer was over. It was on these warm nights she and her siblings learned their prayers. Ethel became a woman of great faith and actively participated in getting new churches up and going. On July 21, 1946, she became the bride of James R. Blakey. Mrs. Blakey was employed as a cook in many food establishments most of her life. She worked in Battle Creek, Mich., Van Nuys and Thousand Oaks, Calif., and also on the Great Lakes as a steamship porter. Ethel was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Mom and Dad Club in Soo, Mich. She enjoyed reading, doing puzzles and working on her family ancestry, but most of all Ethel enjoyed being with her family. Her favorite times were those spent during holidays, reunions or simply in quiet company with her loved ones.
Survivors include her children John T. Blakey and his wife Carol of Bickleton; Deborah J. Douglas and her husband Johnie of Rufus, Ore.; Mary C. Billings and her husband Cliff of Baker City, Ore.; Annmarie J. Goff and her husband Roy of Goldendale; Paul J. Blakey and his wife Janie of Boise, Idaho; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, who died in Goldendale on March 1, 2000; four brothers, and two sisters.
A memorial service will be held at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church in Goldendale on Wednesday, May 26 at 2 p.m. Columbia Hills Memorial Chapel handled cremation arrangements.
