Eileen Gannaway, 85, died July 13, 2011 in Gresham.
A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 23, 2011 at the Medford Masonic Lodge #103, 975 N. Phoenix Road, Medford, OR 97504.
She was born September 18, 1925 in Beallsville, Ohio to Earl M. and Eulo J. (Perkins) Gates where she grew up on the family farm. Eileen graduated from Beallsville High School and then continued her education in New Concord, Ohio, graduating from Muskingum College where she earned a teaching degree. Soon afterward she moved to Spokane, WA where she taught at Fairfield High School. She met her future husband, Dick Gannaway and they were married December 31, 1949 in Couer d’Alene, Idaho. They moved to the Rogue Valley in 1959 and then to Shady Cove in 1962.
Over the years Eileen worked as a substitute teacher for the Eagle Point School district, ran two home based businesses, and worked as a sales merchandiser. She was an active member in several Masonic orders belonging to two chapters of the Order of Eastern Star, Nevita and later Mazama where she was a charter member and Past Worthy Matron of both. She was also a member and Past High Priestess of the Ladies of the Oriental Shrine in Medford, Daughters of the Nile, the Order of the White Shrine, a past Guardian of Job’s Daughters and the Medford DeMolay chapter’s mothers club. Eileen was also a founding member of the Upper Rogue United Methodist Church.
Eileen loved the color pink, especially pink roses. She had a wonderful smile and quickly turned strangers into friends. She had a special love for animals and she especially loved her cats. She treasured her family above all and managed to keep up with everyone no matter where they traveled. She will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her husband Dick Gannaway and is survived by her daughters, Kathy Geren and husband Les of Sandy and Connie Bowman and husband Dan of Rapid City, South Dakota; son Jeff Gannaway and wife Cheryl of Portland; Brother Eugene Gates of Hurlock, Maryland and 4 grandchildren.
The family requests that any contributions are made to:
Eastern Star Cancer Research
Attn: Sandy Shaffer
3351 Britt Avenue
Medford, OR 97501