Anita Willis, 82

GRANGEVILLE: Anita Plourde Willis, 82 of Grangeville formerly of Kamiah passed away Friday, June 30, 2006 at her home in Grangeville following a courageous battle with cancer.

Anita was born February 9, 1924 in Lewiston, Maine a daughter of Arthur and Cedelice DeFour Plourde, the fifth of seventeen children. She met her future husband, Mel Willis in Lewiston, Maine when he was on leave from the US Navy. Following Mel’s discharge from the navy they moved to Washington state and in 1950 moved to Kamiah, Idaho where Mel was born and raised. They lived in Kamiah in the home that Mel built until moving to Grangeville in October of 2004.

She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Mel; daughters and spouses, Katie and Dwight Biggers of Clarkston, WA, Sandi and Jim Knighton of Seattle, WA; son and spouse, Allen and Michelle Willis of Grangeville; ten grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren and one great great grandchild; eleven brothers and sisters. She was preceded in death by her parents and five brothers and sisters.

A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Grangeville. Please join the family for food and fellowship following the service at Sts. Peter and Paul School. Services are under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home, Grangeville.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff at Syringa General Hospital Hospice. Their extraordinary compassion and medical skills made Mom’s last days peaceful and comfortable.

The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Syringa General Hospital Hospice or to the American Cancer Society. Send condolences to the family at Blackmerfuneralhome.com