Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Merry Ann Gillham, 80, of Chelan, Washington passed away on Thursday, April 5, 2018.
Born June 24, 1937 to Ronald Eugene Huff and Ruth Mae Huff (Simmons) in Priest River, Idaho where she lived until moving to Chelan as a young child. She grew up in the Chelan Valley and made it her home for the remainder of her life making memories and friends in abundance along the way.
She eloped to The Hitching Post in Coeur D’ Alene, Idaho on a very snowy day, November 21, 1955 to marry her best friend and husband of 62 years, Billy D. Gillham. They lived a short time in Yakima, Washington to run a service station before returning to her beloved valley to stay.
Known as Mom to anyone who entered her door she never let anyone leave hungry or without a big hug. It was not an uncommon occurrence to add a chair or three to the dinner table or even spill out onto the porch to share a meal with company that happened by. She took great pride in the fact that things weren’t fancy but always welcoming and comfortable. Often asked for her delicious recipes she would write down a handful of this and till it looks about right of that, making it a great challenge to ever make it the same way she did.
She and Billy had the time of their lives in all their activities. Camping, fishing, archery, square dancing, snowmobiling, boating, traveling in their motorhome with great friends, and telling stories around the table, laughing endlessly. She was usually found tending her cherished garden or cooking up something delicious in her bright yellow kitchen. One of her most enjoyable ways to spend time was relaxing in her favorite chair on the porch. Listening to the birds chirp and smelling the sweet violets blanketing her yard in spring. The porch swing was known far and wide as the best seat in the house to visitors. The coffee was always on no matter the time of day.
She was preceded in death by her parents, step-father and numerous family and friends that she loved dearly and spoke often of them waiting in heaven.
Merry Ann is survived by her beloved husband Billy Gillham and daughter Robin Gillham of Chelan. Brother Ronald Huff of Eugene, Oregon; sister Susan Krause (Gary) of Spirit Lake, Idaho; sister Roberta Elgin Lloyd, Chelan; sister Willa Likes (AC) of Glenns Ferry, Idaho. She will be remembered with a loving smile by countless extended family, friends, neighbors, caregivers and those who had the pleasure of knowing her.
A Celebration of Life picnic will be held on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at the Beebe Park Picnic Shelter beginning at 12:00 noon. All who knew her are most welcome to join in for a lovely day by the river.
