Mary Lou Gilmour

Mary Lou Gilmour passed away at her home on July 25, 2013 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

She was born June 1, 1944 to Chester and Rene (Cameron) Ritter in Ellensburg Washington. She was born on her father’s twenty fifth birthday and the only one of their children to be born in a hospital. She and her older brothers (Gerry and Bill) enjoyed their early years living on FA Kern’s Sunrise Ranch at Crescent Bar on the Columbia River. When she and her brothers were old enough for school the family moved to Kittitas. Mary Lou graduated from Kittitas High School in 1962

Mary Lou married Kennie L. Doering and they raised three children. She worked for the Kittitas School District as a teacher’s aide, then later as the secretary for the Superintendent. While raising her family she was a Girl Scout leader, this was an opportunity to share her favorite things with others. Snowmobiling, camping, sewing and helping others, were just a few of the things she shared with her troop. After moving to Salmon Idaho, Mary Lou worked for Independent Lumber as a book keeper. Upon moving back to Kittitas she worked for Northern Energy.

Mary Lou married the love of her life Jerry Gilmour blending their two families. Their love of reading history books led them on a canoe trip down the Missouri River to follow Lewis and Clark’s adventure. She became the City Clerk for Kittitas and was also the book keeper for Gilmour Construction. She never met a stranger. Her smile welcomed many people to Kittitas.

Upon her retirement from the city, she stepped into helping at the Kittitas Public Library any way she could. One of her favorite things was organizing the summer reading program.

She was preceded in death by her father.

Mary Lou is survived by her husband, Jerry Gilmour of Kittitas; children Connie Ackerman of Rathdrum ID, Ron (Shellie) Doering of Dillon MT, Heidi (Dan) Doering - Furst of Butte MT. Step Children, Valarie Gilmour (David Toal) of Monitor WA, Jay (Lisa) Gilmour of Renton WA, and Janey Gilmour of Monitor WA. She has fourteen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

A Celebration of life will be held at the old Kittitas High School Gym Aug 17, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. Coffee and cookies to follow the service. Memorials may be sent to Kittitas Community Church or Kittitas Public Library or any organization of the donor’s choice.