Ethel Jardine Neilson Piercy June 13, 1918 - July 5, 2017

Ethel Jardine Neilson Piercy was born on June 13, 1918 in Driggs, Idaho, the fourth child of the twelve children of Chester A. and Nettie R Marcum. Ethel passed away peacefully in Richland, WA on July 5, 2017, at the age of 99.

Ethel is survived by her son Russell Jardine (Sue) of Kennewick; grandsons Neil Jardine (Kathy) of Richland and Lee Jardine (Jeanne) of Windsor, California; great grandchildren Jessica Jardine of Richland, John Jardine of Kennewick, Russell “RJ’’ and Carson Jardine of Windsor, California; brothers Orin Marcum, Laverne Marcum, Dale Marcum, Selar Marcum, and Shelby Marcum all of SE Idaho and Utah.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Jack Jardine, Rex Neilson and Perry Piercy, son Larry Jardine, sisters Ida Williams, Myrtle Hall, and Ruth Nichols Lard, and brothers Alfred Marcum, James Marcum, and Gilbert Marcum.

Ethel married Jack Jardine August 2, 1940 in Driggs, Idaho. They lived in Driggs, Idaho Falls, Richfield, and Cottonwood, Idaho, Kalispell, Montana, and finally found a home in Othello, Washington in 1962. After thirty-seven years of marriage, Jack died unexpectedly in Othello on November 9, 1977. Sometime after Jack’s death she met Rex Neilson and they were married August 6, 1984 in Othello. Rex passed away in Othello in April 2000. After Rex’s death, Ethel moved to Richland to be closer to her family and met and married Perry Piercy on April 21, 2007. Perry passed away in Richland in February 2014.

Ethel graduated from Teton High School, Driggs, Idaho, in 1936. She continued her education graduating from Ricks College in 1938 with a Teaching Certificate and began her teaching career. She later earned a BS from Idaho State University. She pursued her life’s calling as an educator for over 40 years, entirely with elementary school students, mostly fifth graders. She was a gifted teacher, receiving Teacher of the Year award for the Othello School District twice. She was a charter member of Delta Kappa Gamma International in Othello serving as President and various committee chairs. Ethel retired from teaching in 1982.

Ethel was a lifelong member of the LDS church and was active in its ministry. She was a member of the Othello Theater Guild and participated in numerous musical productions and melodramas, designing and sewing costumes, and performing in supporting roles. She enjoyed church activities, music, travel, gardening, sewing, quilting, and visiting with friends and family.

Viewing and visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, July 14, 2017 at Mueller’s Tri-Cities Funeral Home, 1401 S. Union Street, Kennewick. A graveside service will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 15, 2017, at Bess Hampton Memorial Gardens, Othello, Washington. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Chaplaincy Health Care, 1480 Fowler St., Richland, WA 99352 or online at www.chaplaincyhealthcare.org

The family invites you to sign their online tribute wall at www.muellersfuneralhomes.com.