Shirley Marcilee Sannar

Shirley Marcilee Sannar, 87, of Pendleton and formerly of Wallowa, died March 3 at St. Anthony's Hospital. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Pendleton Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Skyview Memorial Park in Pendleton. Sign the register book or post a condolences at www.burnsmortuary.com.

Shirley was born July 4, 1923, to Harry and Edna Weaver Kennison in Wallowa. Shirley's father died when she was 11 years old and she took on the responsibility of helping her mother raise her two younger siblings.

She attended Lower Valley School outside Wallowa and married Charles Sannar on July 31, 1939. Their son, Tommy, was born in 1940, followed by daughters Judy and Kathleen in 1943 and 1948. The family moved to Mount Emily Lumber Camp at Starkey in 1948, where they remained until 1953.

In 1955, the family moved to Kethchikan, Alaska, where Shirley bravely accompanied Al on their fishing boat until 1985, even though she held a fear and distrust of the deep water. The couple retired from fishing and began traveling to Yuma, Ariz., for the winter in 1985, making the trip annually through the winter of 2009-10. They developed a close circle of friends from the winters spent in Yuma and always returned to Pendleton with a fresh supply of stories. Shirley loved animals and enjoyed watching the antics of the burros on the desert near Yuma.

Shirley was a devoted wife and homemaker. One of her greatest joys was taking time to visit with her family. She made countless quilts for friends and family, each hand-quilted.

She enjoyed growing flowers, fruits and vegetables. She canned the produce with the help of Al until she was well into her 70s. Shirley always enjoyed involvement in church activities and was a member of Pendleton Baptist Church.

Shirley is survived by her devoted husband of 71 years, Al Sannar of Pendleton; son, Tom and Sharon Sannar of Adams; daughters, Judy and Glenn Ennis of Stella, Mo., and Kathleen and Mike Tannahill of Cathlamet, Wash.; brother, Harry and MaryDee Kennison of Salem; 18 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren with one more on the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Laurena; and daughter-in-law, Janice Sannar.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pendleton Baptist Church in care of the Burns Mortuary of Pendleton, P.O. Box 489, Pendleton 97801.

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