Obituary for Ellen Gail Martin Bernardo
Ellen Gail Martin Bernardo of Liberty Lake, Wash. passed peacefully on April 17, 2021, in the Hospice House of Spokane with her family nearby after a valiant three-year battle with bile duct cancer.
She was born May 5, 1956, in Santa Monica, California to her parents, Don and Roberta Martin. Ellen graduated from Santa Monica High School in 1974. Shortly after, she married her high school sweetheart and eternal companion, Gary, on Catalina Island. Gary and Ellen, along with their two children, moved to the Liberty Lake, Wash. area in 1979.
While raising her children, Ellen volunteered in their classrooms, served as a leader for multiple Camp Fire Boys & Girls clubs, nurtured several foster children, and earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Whitworth University. More recently Ellen was known for creating thoughtful quilts for her precious grandchildren and nieces’ and nephews’ children, hosting beautiful tea-less tea parties for her friends and growing the most colorful flower garden on her back decks overlooking Liberty Lake for all to enjoy.
She spent countless hours and vacations in the South researching and traveling to collect and verify her family history. Although she was proud of her Southern heritage, Ellen also loved Liberty Lake and published numerous articles about local area history. She was active in animal rescue, and many cats throughout her time adopted her as their human mom. As an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ellen whole-heartedly shared her faith and lived to bless others with Christ-like love.
Ellen is survived by her beloved Gary, her cherished children Brian (Mary) of Scottsdale, Ariz. and Aimée Lowry (Clint) of Peoria, Ariz., and her four treasured grandchildren Liam, Harrison, Olivia, and Alexander. Survivors also include her mother Roberta Ann Martin of Crossville, Tenn., siblings Annaliese Keller (Mike), Steven Martin (Denise), Robert Martin (Linda), and Maryanne Biondi (Michael), and their families. She was preceded in death by her father Ledford D. Martin of Crossville, Tenn.
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She was born May 5, 1956, in Santa Monica, California to her parents, Don and Roberta Martin. Ellen graduated from Santa Monica High School in 1974. Shortly after, she married her high school sweetheart and eternal companion, Gary, on Catalina Island. Gary and Ellen, along with their two children, moved to the Liberty Lake, Wash. area in 1979.
While raising her children, Ellen volunteered in their classrooms, served as a leader for multiple Camp Fire Boys & Girls clubs, nurtured several foster children, and earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Whitworth University. More recently Ellen was known for creating thoughtful quilts for her precious grandchildren and nieces’ and nephews’ children, hosting beautiful tea-less tea parties for her friends and growing the most colorful flower garden on her back decks overlooking Liberty Lake for all to enjoy.
She spent countless hours and vacations in the South researching and traveling to collect and verify her family history. Although she was proud of her Southern heritage, Ellen also loved Liberty Lake and published numerous articles about local area history. She was active in animal rescue, and many cats throughout her time adopted her as their human mom. As an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ellen whole-heartedly shared her faith and lived to bless others with Christ-like love.
Ellen is survived by her beloved Gary, her cherished children Brian (Mary) of Scottsdale, Ariz. and Aimée Lowry (Clint) of Peoria, Ariz., and her four treasured grandchildren Liam, Harrison, Olivia, and Alexander. Survivors also include her mother Roberta Ann Martin of Crossville, Tenn., siblings Annaliese Keller (Mike), Steven Martin (Denise), Robert Martin (Linda), and Maryanne Biondi (Michael), and their families. She was preceded in death by her father Ledford D. Martin of Crossville, Tenn.
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