December 27, 1945 - October 12, 2022
Louise Kay Hartford went home to the Lord on October 12, 2022, after several years of living with Alzheimer’s disease in addition to other health problems. Louise was born on December 27, 1945, at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane, Washington. Her parents were James and Edith Hartford, and she was the youngest of their five children. Louise grew up in a large extended family where unconditional love was the guiding factor. She lived her entire life in the Spokane Valley. She graduated from Central Valley High School in 1964, and completed the Licensed Practical Nurse program at Spokane Community College in 1965. She did her initial work as an LPN at Sacred Heart and Interlake hospitals, and then became one of the original staff members at Spokane Valley General Hospital when it opened in February, 1969. She first worked in the Obstetrics Department and later in the Emergency Room. In 1978, Louise decided to change careers and, in 1979, she became a bus driver for the Central Valley School District, where she enjoyed working until 1995, retiring then with a medical disability. She was member of the Spokane Valley United Methodist Church. Louise was a talented craftsperson and tool user. She was an excellent baker who made dozens of Christmas cookies, and cinnamon rolls, and decorated personalized cakes for family events. She had a large collection of cookie cutters. She sewed her own clothes, and many dresses for little girls in the family and their dolls; made Christmas ornaments for family members; and did ceramics, fine embroidery, crochet work, and quilting. In short, she never met a craft that she didn’t like and do well. Louise was also an extraordinary gardener, and her yard was full of flowers, fruit trees and berries, and vegetable beds. She loved cats and dogs and always had at least one “furry child” sharing her home. She also enjoyed travel. She visited at least fourteen of the United States, British Columbia, Mexico, England, Denmark, Sweden, Rome, Greece, Israel, Palestine, Egypt, and Turkey. Louise was fortunate in having several “guardian angels” in her life to help her through her later years. Jennie Tinsley, Nancy Larson, and the late Wayne Dunn deserve divine rewards for their efforts on her behalf. Her final comfort providers were nurses from Kindred Hospice, the staff of Valley Pines Retirement Home, and Cindy Marcille. Louise was preceded in death by her parents, and her older siblings Burt Hartford and Kathryn (Cassie) Larson. She is survived by her much loved most recent dog, Lolly; her sisters Helen Lenz and Linnea Patrick; nephews Timothy, Thomas and Andrew Lenz, Gerald and Sam Larson; and niece, Cindy Larson Marcille; as well as cousin Nancy Larson and her children, Jennie and Kris Tinsley; six other first cousins and their children; and numerous grandnieces and grandnephews. A graveside funeral service for Louise will be held at Pines Cemetery, 1402 S. Pines, Spokane Valley, WA on Friday, October 21, 2022 at 4:30 p.m., with a reception to follow at the home of Cindy Marcille. Memorial gifts to honor Louise may be directed to Kindred Hospice in Spokane, Spokane Valley United Methodist Church, or your local animal shelter.
