In Loving Memory of Eloise E. Schinnell: 1927-2021

Posted

Eloise E. Schinnell, 94, passed away peacefully on Dec. 31, 2021. She was born Dec. 10, 1927 to Claude and Olga Miller. The eldest of six children, she grew up in Glacier, Washington and attended Mt. Baker High School, graduating with honors in 1945. She entered the cadet nursing program at Western Washington University and received her degree in Nursing in 1948. That same year, she met her future husband Don while working for the U.S. Forest Service in Glacier. Eloise was a lover of music and spent many years playing the piano and organ, while attending the Methodist churches in Morton and Orting. Her heart belonged to Jesus, and she could often be heard humming familiar hymns while she was cooking or cleaning house. For several years she worked for Morton General Hospital and continued her career as a consultant for nursing homes in Morton and Tacoma. Later in life, she found her second love which was travel and enjoyed many trips to London, Europe and Hong Kong. Eloise was always a very active person who continued to bowl league at Daffodil Bowl in Puyallup well into her 80s. She was preceded in death by Don, her husband of 66 years; eldest son Gary Schinnell and grandson James Dalton; and siblings Ronald Miller, Marian Haglund, Rhonda Nolan, Terry Miller and Colleen Philliber. Eloise is survived by her children Steven (Lynn) Schinnell of Morton, Debra (Bob) Hanna of Bremerton, and Kevin (Debbie) Schinnell of Chehalis; 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. 

Eloise was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Welcome Home AFH in Chehalis. 

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022 at the New Tacoma Cemetery Chapel in University Place, Washington.