Obituary for Malaysia and Grenada RPCV Ernestine "Ernie" Wilma Moffitt



After the kids left home, Ernie and Don joined the Peace Corps, serving twice, once in Malaysia and once in Grenada, and Ernie set up public school and college libraries in these countries.

Obituary for Malaysia and Grenada RPCV Ernestine "Ernie" Wilma Moffitt

Obituary






Sep 05 2006

Ernestine "Ernie" Wilma Moffitt, 87, of Lopez Island, Washington, died Monday, August 14, 2006. Ernestine Wilma Emboden was born to parents Ernest and Albertine Emboden on November 12, 1919 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Ernie, as she was known to all, graduated from high school in Petoskey, Michigan in 1936. She attended Eastern Michigan Normal University and graduated in 1940 with a BS degree. She taught school in Muskegon, Michigan until joining the Women's Army Corps (WACS) in 1943. She rose to the rank of Captain and Company Commander and was responsible for over 1,000 women. She served until 1946. In 1946 she met Donald Moffitt and they were later married in Detroit, Michigan on May 8, 1947.

They moved to Reed City, Michigan where their three children were born. Ernie returned to teaching school in Big Rapids, Michigan and taught high school English and physical education, while Don worked at an auto dealership before going to college. Don received his BS degree from Ferris State College in 1959. In 1960 the family moved from Michigan to North Bend, Oregon where Ernie took a job as a junior high school teacher and Don took a job with what was to become Southwestern Oregon Community College. Several years later Ernie transferred to the Coos Bay, Oregon School District where she was the high school librarian and the Chairwoman of the English department.

Ernie retired from the school district in 1978. After the kids left home, Ernie and Don joined the Peace Corps, serving twice, once in Malaysia and once in Grenada, and Ernie set up public school and college libraries in these countries. Besides being a busy mom and teacher, Ernie pursued other special interests. She loved to photograph and write and published a number of travel and historical articles in northwestern periodicals and newspapers.

She and Don searched for years for their perfect retirement spot. After much consideration, they finally settled on Lopez Island, Washington where they built their retirement home. They loved living on Lopez and treasured their friends and their daily life there. Ernie was an active member of a number of organizations on Lopez, including the Lopez Seniors, Lutheran Church of the San Juans, Lutheran Woman Groups, Lopez Quilters, and the Birthday Club.

She was preceded in death by Don who passed away on May 10, 2006. She is survived by her children, Cynthia of Seattle, Washington; Bert and wife Karla of Newberg, Oregon; Glen of Lake Stevens, Washington; Colin and Kathy Jenkins of Friday Harbor, Washington; and her sister Norma Powell of Del Ray Beach, Florida.

A memorial service, in celebration of Ernie's life, will be held at 11 a.m. on September 12 at the Center Church on Lopez. Private family inurnment will be held at Lopez Union Cemetery. In lieu of sending flowers, the family is suggesting that donations can be made to the following: Catherine Washburn Memorial Association, Lopez Island Hospice and Home Support, and Lutheran Church of the San Juans.

Arrangements are under the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes and the San Juans. Share memories of Ernie and sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.

When this story was posted in October 2006, this was on the front page of PCOL:




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By Michelle Pennington (151.47.167.3) on Friday, May 08, 2009 - 5:09 pm: Edit Post

Do you have any photo's of my Aunt Ernestine and Uncle Don Moffitt, while they were in the Peace Corps, that I can share her family? I remember my Aunt Ernie telling me that she really wanted to go back in the Peace Corps to Africa even in her last years but she knew it wasn't possible as my Uncle Don not being well anymore.
Michelle Pennington (her sister, Norma's, daughter)