Ina Mae “Scotty” Emmes passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at home in Olga. Attending were her husband of 60 years, Emery B. Emmes and son Stephen and his wife Lynn Emmes. She also leaves another son, Kenneth Emmes and wife Christine, in Eugene, Oregon. She will be missed by grandchildren Emery Emmes II, Meredith Emmes, Martin Emmes, Craig Emmes and Great grandchild Carter Boston Emmes.

Scotty (also her father’s nickname) was born to Wallace R. and Edna L. Scott on January 26, 1926 in Pasadena California. Her childhood was spent in the shadow of the Rose Bowl, just down the road from CalTech University. She told many stories of the Rose Parade and working on the floats as a kid. The Clydesdale Horses were a special treat as she often got a ride on them after the parade.

After high school in Pasadena, she was accepted and started in a premed program at Stanford University hoping to become a Medical Doctor. WWII interrupted that dream, as her place in the program was canceled in favor of men for the war effort. After the war ended she went to UC Santa Barbara majoring in art with a teaching credential. There she met fellow teaching student Emery Emmes, marrying him in September of 1947. They tell stories of walking through the graduation line together, life in his small travel trailer home and sailing one of his boats along the coast near Santa Barbara.

Scotty was living in Ontario, California where Emery was teaching when they heard of a place known as Madrona Point on Orcas Island. Emery’s next job was in Gardena, California. where sons Stephen and Kenneth were born. In 1952, they moved to their self-built home in Palos Verdes Estates, California.

Scotty was a stay-a-home mom until sometime in the late 50’s, when with her husband’s Dad’s strong encouragement and support, she went back to school and graduated with a Nursing degree. That combined with the earlier Teaching Credential allowed her to accept a position teaching nursing at California State College, Long Beach. She combined this with several positions around the area as Director of In-Service Training for various Hospitals until she and Dad “retired” in 1975, moving to Orcas the following year.

With help from their two sons, they completely remodeled the old William Moore house in Olga which they had purchased in 1968. Emery became a remodel contractor on Orcas and Scotty dived into church work at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. She served on the Altar Guild, put on or helped put on many a coffee hour, helped or ran many of the various sale days like Market Day. She created many of the Altar area cloth drapes and Officiant’s vestments. She and Emery were the church gardeners with lots of help for many years.

“This week we’ve heard many compliments for her flower arrangements on the Altar and at many functions,” said her son.

In 1994 she achieved her longtime goal of getting Emmanuel Church listed on the National Registry of Historical Places. She served as Clerk to the Vestry for 17 years, with compliments for her neat and meticulous minutes. She and Emery received the Bishop’s Cross (one of the highest honors a lay person can receive in the Episcopal Church) for their work at Emmanuel.

She served in a similar organizational capacity for the Orcas Island Yacht Club as Emery rose in the ranks. In her spare time she worked with Dr. Stan Williams as an assistant both in his home clinic and on many a house call.

She was First Mate, deckhand and radio operator during many years of cruising the inland waters north of Orcas. Her Christmas fruitcake was legendary. She has been complimented for her hard work, her leadership and her forthright, honest, loving character. She is missed in many areas of this island and by friends world wide.

A Memorial Service at Emmanuel Episcopal Church is planned for August 18, at 2 p.m. with internment in the flower cross in the front lawn to follow. Father Murray Trelease of Lopez Island, a longtime favorite, has agreed to lead the service. In lieu of cut flowers, Mom would love a donation to the Emmanuel Garden Fund for the perpetuation of one of her favorite gardens, so that all may enjoy. She was also highly supportive of the OIYC youth sailing program, to which a donation would be very much appreciated. Please join her family in celebration of her wonderful life.