Illa ‘Jean’ Muscott
Illa Jean Muscott, loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, and friend entered eternal rest Jan. 6, 2021, at the age of 92, where she joined her loved ones who have gone on before her.
February 26, 1929 – January 6, 2021
Illa Jean Muscott, loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, and friend entered eternal rest Jan. 6, 2021, at the age of 92, where she joined her loved ones who have gone on before her.
Jean was born Feb. 26, 1929, to Mary and Elmer Hughes in a small cabin on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Her siblings were brothers Ed and Jerry and sisters Pat and Penny. The family moved to Spokane and Jean became the primary care giver for her siblings while her mother worked through the World War II effort and beyond to support the family.
She married Ted Muscott Nov. 12, 1950. The couple had two sons, Douglas and David, and daughter Cynde. Ted and Jean moved to Othello in 1957 where they founded, owned and operated Muscott Funeral Home for 30 years. When Ted became Othello’s mayor in 1964, Jean would host a tea for the community each year at City Hall and was an avid supporter of Ted’s vision for growing the community.
Jean was a Cub Scout den mother and a member of the Othello Christian Church, where she taught Sunday School for many years. She had a passion for learning and completed college and earned her bachelor’s degree in funeral directing. She attended San Francisco School of Massage in 1993. She worked as a receptionist at the Cabana Motel for 20 years. She was a “master chef” as she went to France and studied under Jacques Pepin and with Julia Child in Seattle. She learned Thai cuisine from Ravadi, owner of the Emerald Isle in Richland. Ted said he was the best-fed man in town.
Jean was an avid knitter and quilter. She took great joy in teaching others her craft and was the Tri-Cities Quilt Show featured artist in 2009. Her quilts also took many honors at the Puyallup State Fair. Jean had a deep love for family and her and Ted hosted annual family reunions at their home poolside. Jean loved to travel with Ted on the back of their Goldwing motorcycle where their adventures took them to Pike’s Peak, rafting down the Colorado River and on a mule trip down the Grand Canyon.
Jean will be deeply missed by son Douglas (Anita) Muscott; daughter Cynde (Jerry) Rea; sister Penny Powell; brothers Ed Hughes and Jerry Neff; grandsons Tim (Kristen) Muscott and Ryan (Kandace) Rea and granddaughter Bonnie (Dan) Oberg; six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Ted, mother Mary, son David and sister Pat.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Remembrances can be made to Adams County Pet Rescue at www.adamscountypetrescue.com.