Penny Rae Gilichrist passed away peacefully surrounded by her children and grandchildren on July 9, 2026, at the age of 86. She was born in Spirit Lake, Idaho on March 8, 1940. She was the 2nd of 5 children of Robert and Wanda Lewis. The family made their home in Steptoe Washington farming and working for the family logging business. Penny’s early years were spent playing on the farm with her siblings and developing a passion for animals. Family and animals were a constant throughout her life.

Penny’s mother, Wanda Lewis, passed when she was in elementary school, resulting in Penny moving to Colfax and joining the Upshaw family. Orus (Jody) and Mable Upshaw welcomed her into their family as if she were a princess and Penny had the benefit of being loved by two families. As a teenager she played both basketball and softball. She was especially proud of her pitching abilities, although they may have caused a broken window or two at the Upshaw residence. But when you’re the princess of the family, no one gets upset. Although she enjoyed these activities, animals held a special place in Penny’s heart, particularly horses. Jody quickly realized this and within a year of being at the Upshaw household he surprised her with her first horse; Amigo.

During the fall of Penny’s senior year, she met the love of her life; Gerald Gilchrist. They were married the following fall on September 13, 1958. They moved to the Gilchrist family ranch on Upper Union Flat where Penny built her life. The couple was blessed with 4 children: Terry, Karen, David and Susan. Together with Jerry’s brother Robert, they took over the family farm. It was a lifestyle they both loved. Robert eventually chose to move on from farming, so Jerry and Penny took the reins, running the farm together until turning it over to their son David when they reached retirement.

Penny participated in all her children’s interests; she was active in the PTA, became one of the original members of the Colfax Junior Rodeo, and was also a member of the Palouse Empire Rodeo committee. She took the lead with the horse division of the Mockonema 4-H club and was one of the biggest supporters of many Colfax High School sporting events from 1976-1988. If the Colfax community needed something she was the first to offer a helping hand. Penny and Jerry often hosted groups at the family ranch for summer fishing events, trail riding, as well as sledding and skating parties in the winter. Providing a place for families to come together and be with their community has been a central function of the Gilchrist ranch, something that Penny was at the heart of. The pair was also very active in the Pine Grove Grange, hosting meetings at their home and producing award winning fair booth displays at the Palouse Empire Fair year after year.

Once her children were raised, Penny of course began her next chapter, starting her career as a veterinarian technician at Bunchgrass Veterinary Clinic in Colfax. This job was incredibly fulfilling, allowing her to work with animals and serve her community.

In retirement Penny and Jerry traveled around the continental United States, Hawaii, Mexico and Europe. She loved seeing and experiencing new things, but rodeo, the ranch and family remained a constant. She stayed active in both the Colfax Jr Rodeo and Palouse Empire Pro Rodeo throughout the entirety of her life. For many years she was the chaperone for the rodeo royalty, providing support for the girls so they could shine at parades, luncheons, and rodeos throughout the PNW. After several years of this she moved on to producing the grand entry at the Palouse Empire Pro Rodeo. She loved being a part of the pageantry. Flowers became her retirement business; you’d never drive by her house without seeing a rainbow of colors.

In addition, Penny was perhaps most well-known for her loving, tenacious spirit. She treasured the time she spent with her children, grandchildren and the many community members who looked to her like a parent. Her arms were always open, creating family out of whomever passed through her door. She stopped at nothing to stay involved in the lives of those she loved, whether that meant jumping into one of David’s big rigs to make it to the Westside for Christmas, or riding co-pilot with a nervous 16-year-old hauling the horse trailer for the first time.

This generous, loving woman was preceded in death by both sets of parents. Wanda and Robert Lewis and Orus (Jody) and Mable Upshaw. Her siblings, Robert (Bobby) Lewis, Patty Franklin, Johnny Lewis, Linda Marlow, and William Upshaw, her husband Gerald Gilchrist and children Terry Gilchrist and Karen Lathrop. She is survived by her children David Gilchrist (Sue), Susan Recob (Craig), her brother Mike Upshaw and her half-sister Gracie Willmorth, and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The service for Penny Gilchrist will be held at the Colfax Methodist Church at 11:00 am, with a graveside service to follow. Later that day, there will be a celebration of life event held at the family farm from 3-7 pm at David and Sue Gilchrist’s home (2551 Stevick Rd). Viewing will be at Corbeill Funeral home in Colfax on Thursday July 23rd from 9:00-5:00pm.

Donations can be made to the Colfax Jr Rodeo association or the Palouse Empire Rodeo queen program in Penny’s honor, care of Diana Moser.