Ila B. Bovee passed away at the age of 97, Saturday, April 21st, after a short illness. Harley Bovee and Ila shared a marriage of 60 years before he passed away. She is survived by her four children; Peggy, Kathryn, Jane, and Donald; seven grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. Ila grew up in Pasco, the daughter of a minister. Her life was centered around the church. She left for Seattle at 19 and became employed as a legal secretary. Soon after, she met Harley at their church. They were married just before the war and moved several times from 1941-1947 as Harley was posted to different bases in the U.S. and overseas. After Harley left the service, they returned to Seattle to raise their family. Toward the end of Ila and Harley's working life, they decided to move east where Ila opened a Yamaha piano and organ store. She loved everything about music and the music business. She especially enjoyed meeting the people who came into the store. After several years, they decided to sell the store and return to Seattle.
Ila and Harley were counselors for several years with the International Christian Youth Exchange and active members of the University Christian Church for more than 50 years. Throughout her life, Ila took time to listen to and help young people. If they didn't have a place to live, she took them into her home. Ila loved playing her piano, singing, going to concerts, and listening to music. She also loved spending time at the family cabin on Lake Roesiger, built by her father in 1951. She swam, cooked on a wood stove, relaxed by the fire, and picked wild mountain blackberries for blackberry pies. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. She loved all people and taught her children the importance of not judging others. Ila is remembered lovingly by her family and all those whose lives she touched. She will be greatly missed.