Fern Lucille Sawyer

Fern Lucille Sawyer 1912-2007 Fern Lucille died peacefully Oct. 16, 2007 at the Valley View Retirement home in Boise. She was a Christmas baby, born on Dec. 24, 1912 in Caldwell. She was a fourth generation daughter of early Meridian pioneers, carrying on the families of Hedges, Burns and Pfost. She leaves a large number of loving friends and family who cherished her generous outgoing personality and spirit. Her father, J.G. Burns, was an early day photographer, initially making Home Portrait photographs on glass plates, and from the beginning she was his loyal assistant. As his business succeeded, in 1919, he built a home studio at the corner of 13th and State St. The Burns Studio, which is now one of the oldest businesses in the same location in Idaho. She attended schools in Caldwell, Longfellow Grade School, and graduated from Boise High School in 1930. At this time in the subsequent Depression, her father lost his health and Fern Lucille was then needed to keep up their business, as she was familiar with the operation. She also enrolled at the College of Idaho, and in the summers went to Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles, to study photography under the renowned Ansel Adams. As her father regained his health, they formed a partnership; she doing the camera work and her father the technical finishing. Now as a Portrait Photographer, her business grew, as she developed a successful reputation particularly for children, women and portraits for the Idaho Statesman's Society pages. She was always a leader in her activities: Jobs' Daughters, as Hon. Queen, State Hon. Queen, and State Grand Guardian. She became one of the Founders of the Boise Soroptomist Club of businesswomen, Eastern Star, and P.E.O. Chapter AQ. Her sorority sister, Roberta, an SE at College of Idaho, was part of the Brass family who owned Sun Valley Ranch, which was soon purchased by the Union Pacific. Fern Lucille participated in the opening events at Sun Valley and was an early skier there. In 1942, she married her long time boy friend, Don Sawyer. Previously, they had planned and built one of the first homes on the rim of Houston Road and moved into the completed house following their marriage. Don was the manager of the famous Ballou-Latimer Drug Store, but now in wartime he enlisted in the Navy to become a CPO Recruiting Officer stationed in Boise. Her father died in Dec. 1943, at which time she closed the Studio. Her daughter Sharon, was born in 1945, followed by her son John Burns Sawyer in 1951. Following the war, Don managed Schubach's Jewelry Store downtown. They went to New York City on buying trips, and enjoyed traveling to Europe and Hawaii. Don passed away in 1974, leaving Fern Lucille to devote herself to her family and friends. Fern Lucille's later life centered around the activities of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Always a proud advocate, she provided them with a constant supply of encouragement and optimism. Visitors looked forward to hearing the latest stories and seeing the most recent pictures of Fern Lucille's growing family. Fern Lucille is survived by her daughter, Sharon (Ron) Taylor and family, son John (Lynette) Sawyer and family and brother Stanley (Marylu) Burns and family. Special thanks to Sharon for her loving care and attention to Fern Lucille during her last years. There will be a viewing and reception for Fern Lucille on Friday, Oct. 19 from 5-7 p.m. at Summers Funeral Home, 1205 W. Bannock Street, Boise. Funeral services will be Saturday, Oct. 20 at 3 p.m., also at Summers Funeral Homes, Boise Chapel, with entombment following at Morris Hill Cemetery.