Our lovely mother,

Ellen Marie (Hayne) Demmitt

Ellen Marie Demmitt, 78, stricken with Alzheimer’s for more than a decade died peacefully on December 27, 2014 at Life Care Center of Kennewick in WA. Ellen was born in Port Orchard, WA to parents Wilbur and Annabelle Hayne on December 14, 1936. In late 1940’s, her family moved to Tacoma, WA. Spring 1951, at age 15, she met the love of her life, Thomas F. Demmitt. Fall 1951, Ellen was a freshman at Lincoln HS in Tacoma, WA; she graduated from Lincoln HS in 1954. In 1956, Tom and Ellen married and moved to Seattle, WA (Tom attended the University of Washington). In 1957, the couple welcomed their first child. Ellen went on to become a licensed beautician. In 1958, Ellen’s young family moved to Pasco, WA (Tom worked at Hanford), and later moved into their first home in Kennewick, WA. During the 70’s, she worked as a Tri-Cities Welcome Wagon liaison.  In 1978, Ellen and Tom divorced (she never remarried) but, they remained close friends until her death.

1979, brought a new bundle of joy into her life; the birth of her first grandchild, Justin M. Kasparek. In 1980, Ellen and her daughter, Jeanna moved to Raymond, WA. In 1987, Ellen was diagnosed with diabetes and moved to Rockford, IL to live with her son, Tom. A "Daddy's Girl" at heart, she returned to Raymond, WA, in 1997, to care for her widowed dad. In 2004, she moved back to the Tri-Cities to live with her eldest daughter, LeeAnn. Ellen’s long awaited first great grandchild, Austin M. Hazenberg was born in 2009.

Ellen, a born-again Christian, loved singing and sang in the church choir and a Girls music ensemble. She was involved in several clubs and organizations: such as Women's Bible Study Fellowship, Bible Club, and volunteer Sunday school teacher for Jr High and High School youth. A member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority, Tri-City Youth Square Dance Club, co-leader 4-H Club and teammates with her best friend Sylvia Foss, on a women's bowling league and Take Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS). 

Ellen loved spending time with her family and friends; celebrating life with those most precious to her. Her philosophy: family is the most important and treasured gift God gives us; and she made every effort to make each of us feel cherished and indelibly loved. Those who knew her were blessed and grateful to have her in their lives. She looked forward to family picnics, road trips and vacations such as going to Disneyland (1966), Washington D.C. and Gettysburg, PA (1968); and every summer, spending a couple of weeks camping with extended family at Mt. Rainier, and sightseeing and relaxing on the warm, sandy beaches of Maui with her husband, Tom. 

She enjoyed gardening, movies, reading, and board games. Scrabble was her favorite game and she was an excellent player. She also enjoyed going clam digging with her family along the beach, behind her parent’s home in Tokeland, WA.

Ellen is best remembered for her spaghetti (her secret ingredient: ketchup), Turks Turbans (a pastry) and fresh fried perch (although she didn't much care for fishing).  She took up Japanese cooking and was good at Tempura.

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Wilbur and Annabelle (Rodgers) Hayne; sister, Sheila (Hayne) Webster; and nephew, Edward Webster; mother-in-law, Lucille Demmitt; and brother-in-law, Edward Demmitt.

Ellen is survived by her ex-husband Thomas Demmitt; sister, Julie (Ernie) Summers; daughter, LeeAnn (Anthony) Kasparek, son, Thomas (Becky) Demmitt, and daughter, Jeanna Corona; grandchildren, Justin, Joshua and Jessa Kasparek, Dyanna and Cruz Corona, Emily and David Demmitt; great grandson, Austin Hazenberg; sister-in-law, Marilyn Corona; nieces Eva, Jill, Marilee, Michelle and Natalia; nephew Miguel; best friends, Sylvia Foss and Bessy Hubbard.

On January 16, 2015 at 6:30 pm a Memorial Celebration service will be held at In Step/Cornerstone Church (corner of Chemical Drive and E. Finley Rd) in Finley, WA; Pastor Ron Curbow will officiate. Following the Memorial Celebration service, and in honor of Ellen’s wishes, her family will host an alcohol-free Irish Wake & potluck.

A private Family inurnment will be held on January 17, 2015 at Sunset Memorial Gardens. The Demmitt family wishes to extend their gratitude to Life Care Center of Kennewick for their compassion and support over the past few years; especially, during our mom’s final days. Thank you to Einan’s Funeral Home for arranging the Memorial Celebration and Inurnment services.