Obituary of Ella Irene Schaplow

Ella Irene Schaplow -- Obituary Irene was born on December 28, 1919, in Nodaway County, Missouri, the second child and first daughter of Alonzo Clyde Ingram and Eunice May Kelley Ingram. She was preceded in death by her older brother, Marshall and her younger brother, Leroy. She is survived by her younger sister, Betty Roberts, and her younger brother, Dean. Irene graduated from high school in Scappoose, Oregon and attended business college in Portland before beginning work at Crown Zellerbach in Camas. In Camas she met Charles A. Schaplow, who was working in the Vancouver Shipyards. They were married from November 23, 1943 until Charles passed away on September 15, 1989. Irene and Charles had three children: Donna, Gary, and Don, who gave them five grandchildren: Heather, Jason, Sammy, Duke, and Kallie, and three great-grandchildren: Cecelia Irene and Malcolm Xavier Blackthorn and Madison Kelly North. Irene worked in the Washougal School District from 1954 until her retirement in 1977. Of all her assignments there, her favorite was at Columbia School when it housed 4th-graders. The children knew they could always go to see Mrs. Schaplow in the office, often bringing their tears and tummy-aches; she kept milk and snacks for those who hadn't had breakfast or didn't have lunch money. It seemed to her family that there was nothing Irene couldn't do! She was a highly talented seamstress, gardener, cook, and baker. Her pies and cookies are legendary! In addition, she volunteered in the PTA and as a Girl Scout Leader for Troup 22 in Washougal until the troop all graduated from high school. She and Charles were avid supporters of Washougal athletics and Little League; they attended every activity in which their children participated. Irene had a smile and gentle word for everyone; no one was a stranger in the Schaplow home. While she became a bit weaker in the past few years, her will and spirit remained strong, as did her love for her family. She passed away sooner and more quickly than we thought she would, on Monday, October 26, 2009, with her family at her side. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Viorika and Pavel Prisak and their entire family for the loving care and happiness they provided for Irene during the past three years when her needs exceeded our ability to care for her at home. We will always cherish them as members of our extended family. In addition, we want to express our appreciation for other family members who loved Irene throughout the years: Angela Schaplow; Sam Kelly, Sr.; Robin Witbeck; Bill, Sharon, and Brenda Kelly, and her many nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held Sunday, November 1, at Bethel Community Church in Washougal. Interment was private at the Washougal Memorial Cemetery. Straub's Funeral Home & Columbia River Cremation in Camas was in charge of the arrangements. To send condolences or to sign the online guestbook visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Washougal High School Boys Basketball Team.