Thelma Colleen Echanis of Pendleton, Oregon passed away peacefully on July 30th while living at Ashley Manor in Hermiston under the care and comfort of Good Shephard Hospice. She was born in Pendleton, Oregon on January 9th, 1930 to Carmen and Helen Oliver.

She graduated from Pendleton High School in 1948. She then attended Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon and was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. In 1950, she married Lloyd Purcell. They had two children, Bruce and Kim Purcell. Her husband Lloyd passed away in 1970.

She worked for Doctors Broun and Calhoun as well as a secretary for John Murray Junior High school. After that she moved to Portland, Oregon working for Blue Cross until returning to Pendleton a couple years later.  In 1977, she married Andres “Andy” Echanis who later passed away in 2012.

She had a love for volunteer work. She assisted in the gift shop at Pendleton Community Hospital and Pendleton Bargain Counter for many years. She enjoyed horseback riding and was a member of the Mustanger Riding Club. She had a love for animals growing up.   In later years, she enjoyed spending time with girlfriends in the community playing Bridge and socializing. She truly enjoyed baking cookies for friends and family, especially for her grandchildren. She was an annual fan of the Pendleton Round up and never missed a year of festivities in the community. She loved attending all the events with her family, Let’r Bucking!  She loved her family dearly and loved when all the grandchildren could get together. She was a wheat land owner and was always thankful to Dave and Shari Dallas for employing her grandchildren during wheat harvest.

She is survived by her daughter Kim(Larry) Hinkle, son Bruce Purcell both of Pendleton, Oregon. Grandchildren, Jennifer(Gentner) Laib, Krystal(Hinkle) Robbins, Tara, Piper, and Keegan Purcell. Stepchildren/grandchildren; Paula(Chris) Rosenberg of Pendleton, Oregon and Carlos Echanis of Portland, Oregon. Sarajane and Andrew Rosenberg, Sheri(Hinkle) Kilburg.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday August 11th from 11-1 pm at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Pendleton, Oregon. Light lunch and refreshments will be served. She will be laid to rest at a later date at Olney Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to PAWs of Pendleton, Oregon for the care and needs of the animals.