The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Lila Irene Garrison, 88, of Tigard, Ore. passed away on January 24, 2012, at home. She was born to Elmo and Erma (Lee) Dow on August 18,1923 in Nehalem, Ore. Her family moved to Puget Island when she was very young. She attended school in Cathlamet and graduated from Wahkiakum High School in 1941.

Lila married Kenneth Garrison on November12, 1942 in Vancouver. He preceded her in 2010. She worked as a telephone operator on Puget Island and in Vancouver before becoming a military wife and a devoted mother. One of her last statements on Monday evening was, "I was married to a Navy man, doing my duty to my country and my kids." After living in Washington, Oregon, California, Virginia, Connecticut and Alaska, she and Ken settled in Tigard in 1967. She was a member of The Fleet Reserve Auxiliary, Veteran's of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and Pearl Harbor Survivors Auxiliary. She was a long time member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Tigard. Lila was very proud of her heritage, and made connections to both Martha Washington and Robert E. Lee. She was a foster mother, many times and a loving mom and grandma, available when anyone needed her. She is survived by her brother Darryl Dow, and her six children Clifford Garrison, Wayne Garrison, Judy (Garrison) Alholm, Charles Garrison, Tamara (Garrison), and Laura (Garrison) Watson, 25 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, three great great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held Saturday at Steele Chapel, 5050 Mt. Solo Rd. Longview at 9 a.m. with a service following at 11 a.m. Following the service, Lila will be interned at Fernhill Cemetery in Skamokawa. Donations in Lila's name may be made to your local hospice.

Steele Chapel at Longview Park is in charge of arrangements.