E. Carolyn Ellithorpe, 79, of Colfax, passed Jan. 6, 2017. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 AM on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Colfax with a reception following in the Parrish Hall. Concluding services will take place at Greenwood Cemetery in Palouse, WA at 2 PM. Carolyn was born July 23, 1937 to Robert F Foust & Eunice (Reel) Deysenroth. She was a 1955 graduate of Colfax High School. She and Eugene F. Ellithorpe married September 28, 1958 and resided in Palouse, WA until 1974 when the family moved to Pullman. Divorcing in 1977 she moved her family to Colfax. Carolyn started working at Washington State University in 1962 in Food Service then transferred to a full time Housekeeping position in 1972. She retired in 1992, logging 30 years of service.

Believing "There Is No Place Like Home" her favorite spot was sitting at her kitchen counter drinking her coffee, enjoying her children visits and watching the wildlife and birds populate her backyard. Carolyn enjoyed many interest and hobbies throughout her life, such as, sewing, crocheting, knitting, refurbishing antique furniture, working jig saw puzzles and serving up a good whipping at Gin Rummy. A forever optimist and a situational problem solver she defined "Do It Yourself" before it became a trendy acronym or television show. After retirement, she could be spotted at Allen's enjoying afternoon coffee and conversation with her friends, shopping her favorite stores in Pullman or enjoying dinner downtown. She loved watching American crime drama with Tom Selleck being her favorite television and movie actor.

Her wish to attend the Kentucky Derby was her Mothers Day gift in 2002. As the family flew back to Lexington, KT for the running of the 128th Derby her dream was shared with a fellow passenger who, by the time we landed, had scribed a dedication poem titled "A Hat For The Derby" for Carolyn. He gathered passengers around the family and read his beautiful poem to her. Churchill's Downs was toured, Oaks Day was enjoyed from the infield and Derby Day was watched from the first floor grandstands, just left of the finish line. She enjoyed a Mint Julep, was honored with roses from the winner's circle and personally collected a jar of race track dirt. Carolyn did not pick, War Emblem, the winning Derby horse, however, her purse traveled home a little heavier and her heart was filled with joy.

Her 60th Birthday gift, from her daughters, checked off another wish…getting a tattoo. She chose a spot that unless shown, no one would know. Well, her secret was out when she broke her right leg, in 2011, she informed the medical team know that under no circumstances were they to interrupt her tattoo and that they needed to work around it. Surgery completed and it remained scar free. Carolyn continued to address medical challenges over the next 6 years and her "ink" garnered a lot of laughs and conversations with the nurses and caregivers. All who knew or had just met Carolyn immediately recognized her fantastic sense of humor, kindness, wit and wisdom.

She was a member of the Eagles Auxiliary, the Hospital Auxiliary and the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Carolyn completed the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults at St. Patrick's Catholic Church and was baptized April 10,1993.

Carolyn is survived by her children David F. Ellithorpe, Kent, WA; Mary C. Ellithorpe, Spokane; Stephen E. Ellithorpe, Puyallup; Anne (Ellithorpe) McRae, Colfax and Peggy J. Phillips, daughter of Eugene Ellithorpe, Ephrata; two half siblings Robert F. Foust, Jr., TN and JoAnn Osuna, AZ; 4 grandchildren Mitchell and Shawn Ellithorpe; David and Jessica Ellithorpe; 2 great granddaughters Natalie and Kinley Ellithorpe.

The Ellithorpe Family would like to thank the following individuals, businesses and healthcare providers who assisted in her loving care over the last 6 years. The friendship given by Laura VanDyke, Doug Wilson, Kaitlyn Zwanziger and Beulah Dahlin. The four of you were unwavering in your compassion, your time and love for our mother. Gene and Kris Thompson, thank you for watching over her home while she resided in Spokane. Whitman Hospital and Medical Center, Whitman Medical Group, Whitman Health and Rehabilitation Center, Buri Medical Equipment, Tick Klock Drug, Coast Services, Dean Hall for building our wheel chair ramp, The Staff of Columbia Bank, St. Patrick's Catholic Church and Bethany Group along with Bruning Funeral Home.