Obituary of Grace Elaine Galligar

Grace Elaine Galligar (Elaine), age 75 of Nyssa went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 after a long battle with dementia. She was surrounded by her family and welcomed home by all family preceding her.

Elaine was born on May 7, 1944 in Hermiston, Oregon to Alma Berdine Ferguson and Stanley Roland Pierce, who unfortunately did not have the pleasure of meeting his daughter as he died in war before her birth.

The oldest of 11 children, Elaine grew up in an era of hard times, which forced her out of school in 8th grade to help raise her siblings.  From a young age, she grew to understand the importance of hard work and reward, family, and loving without stipulation. She worked hard her entire life to instill such values and provide for her family in every way she could as she went on to have children of her own.  She later returned to school as an adult to obtain her G.E.D., an accomplishment of which she was extremely proud.

Elaine is survived by five children; David Haynes (Marsha) Ontario OR., Brian Haynes, Missouri, Janice Grimaldo (Louis) Nyssa,OR., Gary Haynes, Ontario, OR., and Mark Jones, Ontario, OR.

She is also survived by five siblings; Paul Eytchison (Alexandra) Yakima, WA., Mike Eytchison (Shelley) Dorchester, South Carolina, Bruce Eytchison, Nampa, ID, Jerry Eytchison, Nampa ID, and Rebecca Bush, Leavenworth, WA., by her  14 grandchildren 15 great-grandchildren.  Elaine was preceding in death by the love of her life, James Galligar, her mother Alma, father Stanley, sisters Carrie, Donna, Francis and Jolene, her brother Steve, her niece Susan Daniels and great-grandson Mason Haynes.

She was known in life as a beautiful ‘lady’, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend.  Her personality, sense of humor and sarcasm couldn’t be measured, but were enjoyed by many who knew her, and she was sure to keep you on your toes. As she would often say, "Watch who you’re calling 'lady', lady!" 

Elaine possessed a love for life and took every opportunity to spend time with her family and to keep them involved. She loved to "admire the beautiful lands of God’s country" as she would say-going on drives, vacations, camping, fishing, picnics and swimming. Always picking that bushel of wild flowers and making life beautiful, she loved to live and lived to love! Grace Elaine Galligar will be greatly missed, but will live on through the love and memories of her family and friends.

A family gathering and memorial will be held July 27th, 2019 in Waldport, OR.  As per her wishes, she will be taken on her glorious vacation to the Oregon Coast where her ashes will be released into the beautiful seas she so loved.

Attending will be her closest family whom she has once again brought together to live life as a family.  Forever in our hearts, we love and miss you!