Carol Mae Elliott

May 6, 1927 - April 26, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our mother and grandmother, Carol Mae Elliott, on April 26, 2025, at the age of 97, just 10 days from her 98th birthday.  She was for the last 12 months living with and enjoying the competent care of Patty and her daughter Keeley at Patty's adult foster care home.

Carol was born in Pendleton, Oregon to Albert Moser and Leona Bowman-Moser.  She joined a brother, Willis Dale, growing up and going to school in Milton Freewater and Pendleton.  She was active in many school activities including band and was a drum majorette her senior year in high school.  She graduated with the Pendleton High School class of 1945 and moved to Pilot Rock with her parents later that year.  The Mosers bought a house on SE 2nd Street in Pilot Rock and Al went to work for Maurice Roy at his Chevrolet auto sales and service business.  Carol attended college in Moscow, Idaho for about a year.  Upon her return to Pilot Rock she worked in the office at Pilot Rock Lumber Company.

When the war ended Carol soon noticed a handsome young man, George Elliott, when he returned from serving as a United States Marine for our country.  George was close to two of his cousins, Leonard and Lloyd Mentzer, who had returned after the war also.  She thought at first that the three were brothers, but Carol had her eye on George, and he had his on her.  Mom and Dad were married on March 14, 1948, and moved into the corner house at SE 2nd and Highway 395.  It was there that a son Greg was born in 1950 and a daughter Rhonda in 1952.  Al had leased the Shell service station across the highway from the Elliott house and George was working with Al at the station when he and Carol moved to a new house in 1953 that was built a few years previous by Pilot Rock resident Howard Hale at 330 NE Elm Street.  It was there at the Elm Street house that a second daughter Teresa was born in 1957.  By that time grandparents Al and Leona were to have a motel built on the corner of NE 4th and Douglas Street so all three kids had the wonderful good fortune of having their Grandpa and Grandma living within easy walking distance of home.  

Mom spent many years volunteering in different capacities, Bluebirds, Campfire Girl's leader, various civic clubs, and was an avid pinochle player.    She was very involved with the Presbyterian Church, and spent many years playing the piano, teaching Sunday School classes, and was also the Sunday school Superintendent.  Carol played the piano at every Sunday service and served as the church secretary for many years.  Carol was adored by her young granddaughters who spent a large portion of their childhood in her presence, including sleepovers at Grandma's house and attending church and Sunday school with her.  Her oldest granddaughter, Andrea showed an interest in playing piano and it was without hesitation that Carol taught her how to play in her young years.

George passed away in 2004 and in 2013 Teresa and her husband Joe LaChapelle took Mom into their home to care for her full time.  It was there that Joe affectionately dubbed her "Grammy", a nickname that stuck for the remainder of her life.  She had lived with Teresa and Joe for 10 years when she was moved to an adult foster care home.  Grammy loved her family, and her family loved her.  One of our most precious memories was during a blustery May afternoon in 2023, at a girls' softball game in Meridian, Idaho, when at the conclusion of the game her great granddaughter Alix and the rest of the team sang Happy Birthday to her from behind home plate in celebration of her 96th birthday.  

She spent the last five months of her life on hospice care awaiting the time when she could be reunited with her Lord and loved ones gone before.  Carol is preceded in death by her husband George and daughter Rhonda.  She is survived by her son Greg Elliott; daughter Teresa LaChapelle; grandson Tyson Elliott; granddaughters Andrea Decker, Kimberly Elliott, and Megan Vanderpool; great grandsons Brody Mentzer, Blane Smith, Cruz Arredondo, Isaac and Noah Heimgartner; and great granddaughters Alix Arredondo and Leona Snyder.

A service will be held at the Life Church in Pilot Rock at 222 SW 3rd on May 17 at 2:00 PM with a reception following.  The family is urging all who plan to attend to know that we would be very much honored to hear any stories or memories that you may have about our Mom/Grandma and to know that there will be an opportunity to share at the service.  Please bring your memories with you and don't be bashful about sharing.  A family burial will be held May 19 at Olney Cemetery.