Ernestine “Ernie” Wilma Moffitt, 87, of Lopez Island, died Monday, Aug. 14, 2006.
Ernestine Wilma Emboden was born to parents Ernest and Albertine Emboden on Nov. 12, 1919, in Grand Rapids, Mich. Ernie, as she was known to all, graduated from high school in Petoskey, Mich., in 1936. She attended Eastern Michigan Normal University and graduated in 1940 with a B.S. degree. She taught school in Muskegon, Mich., until joining the Women’s Army Corps in 1943.
In the Army, she rose to the rank of captain and company commander and was responsible for over 1,000 women. She served until 1946.
In 1946 she met Donald Moffitt and they were later married in Detroit, Mich., on May 8, 1947. They moved to Reed City, Mich., where their three children were born.
Ernie returned to teaching school in Big Rapids, Mich., and taught high-school English and physical education, while Don worked at an auto dealership before going to college. Don received his B.S. degree from Ferris State College in 1959. In 1960 the family moved from Michigan to North Bend, Ore., where Ernie took a job as a junior high school teacher and Don took a job with what was to become Southwestern Oregon Community College. Several years later, Ernie transferred to the Coos Bay, Ore., School District where she was the high school librarian and the chairwoman of the English department.
Ernie retired from the school district in 1978. After the kids left home, Ernie and Don joined the Peace Corps, serving twice – once in Malaysia and once in Grenada — and Ernie set up public school and college libraries in these countries. Besides being a busy mom and a teacher, Ernie pursued other special interests. She loved to photograph and write and published a number of travel and historical articles in northwestern periodicals and newspapers. She and Don searched for years for their perfect retirement spot. After much consideration, they finally settled on Lopez Island, where they built their retirement home. They loved living on Lopez and treasured their friends and their daily life there.
Ernie was an active member of a number of organizations on Lopez, including the Lopez Seniors, Lutheran Church of the San Juans, Lutheran Woman Groups, Lopez Quilters, and the Birthday Club. She was preceded in death by Don, who passed away on May 10, 2006.
She is survived by her children, Cynthia of Seattle, Bert and wife Karla of Newberg, Ore., Glen of Lake Stevens, Wash., Colin and Kathy Jenkins of Friday Harbor, and her sister Norma Powell of Del Ray Beach, Florida.
A memorial service, in celebration of Ernie’s life, will be held at 11 a.m. on Sept. 12 at the Center Church on Lopez. Private family inurnment will be held at Lopez Union Cemetery.
In lieu of sending flowers, the family is suggesting that donations can be made to the following:
• Catherine Washburn Memorial Association, 103 Washburn Place, Lopez Island, WA 98261
• Lopez Island Hospice and Home Support, P.O. Box 747, Lopez Island, WA 98261
• Lutheran Church of the San Juans, P.O. Box 2535, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
Arrangements are under the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., in Anacortes. Share memories of Ernie and sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.
