Elizabeth Jane "Dede" McKAY

1923 - 2016

McKAY, Elizabeth Jane
(Mathison) "Dede"

As she would say to all of us "you are all gifts to Mother Earth.... you are Earth Angels..." the loving family of Elizabeth Jane (Dede) Mathison McKay witnessed the passing of this gift and earth angel on October 27th. Born to Ajay and Regina Mathison on January 23, 1923 in Walla Walla, Washington, Dede grew up attending Walla Walla Schools and met her beloved James Robert (Bob) McKay during her freshman year at Washington State University. They were married November 20th, 1941. Soon after Bob was deployed to World War II. Dede had many stories of this time during the war, stationed in Georgia, Arizona and California for various times. After the war, they settled in Eastern Washington living in Lind, Reardon and finally in Walla Walla. Dede cherished her seven wonderful children and their families they created and wonderful lives they have lived. She treasured her pioneering family (Stahl, Rose and Mathison) in Walla Walla and the annual family tradition of the Thanksgiving celebration at Pioneer Park. Dede was industrious, creative, passionate and entrepreneurial. She was an artist with paintings in many collections including the Maryhill Museum in Washington State, taught art classes (including at DeSales High School in Walla Walla), was Director of Carnegie Art Center in Walla Walla, was an interior designer and finally, after years of raising children and Bob's retirement from teaching, she and Bob opened Bramante Gallery in Walla Walla, then moved to Lincoln City, OR where they created and operated the Stahlrose Gallery and Bed and Breakfast. Family brought them home, moving to North Spokane where they could enjoy time with Bob's garden, garden club, Dede's art and the many family gatherings. Dede was passionate and strong willed. When diagnosed with Alzheimer's at age 86 and throughout her Alzheimer's journey, she was remembered for her humor, her strength and her bravery, her beauty, wisdom and beautiful blue eyes that saw everything and let you know about it. Dede was always aware of her environment and its beauty seeing it as God's amazing creation. Her faith in God helped her through many things. We know she will be a treasure in heaven, just as she was to all of us. "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived, the things God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9.

To quote from her own words in her will; "Do not mourn. Be happy in all that we had in precious moments together as family. We will meet again. I love you all, my wonderful husband and precious children. Your nutty mother, who loves birds, animals, mother earth, children (my joy) and all the different nationalities that color our world."

Dede was preceded in death by her parents, Abraham and Regina Mathison, her sister Carma (Mathison) Koenig, her brother Ajay Mathison and her loving husband, Bob. They would have been married 75 years on November 20. She is survived by her sisters Beverly (Winfred) Stocker (Anacortes, WA), Doreen (Doug) Taylor (Walla Walla, WA); her children Kay O'Rourke and Regina Freuen (Spokane, WA), Jim (Lisa) McKay (Falls City, WA), Scott (Maddy) McKay (Las Vegas, NV), Hilda (Rocky) Rudolph (Escondido, CA), Margarette (Al) Hayes (Des Moines, WA) and Allison (Allan) Williams (Wenatchee, WA); 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Her children wish to thank Hospice and also the wonderful caregivers of Clare Bridge/Brookdale Living who have cared for her over the last six years. We know they will miss her loving spirit. She asked that those who would like to remember her "plant a tree, bush or something of that nature, do an act of kindness for someone or give to the needy in my memory."

A Mass and Celebration of her Life will take place at St. Joseph's Catholic Parish, 3720 E. Colbert Rd. Colbert, WA on Saturday, November 5th at 11 AM. Lunch will follow at the parish. Please visit her page at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com.