Wanda Jean Warnock

Wanda Jean Warnock, 69, of Milton-Freewater and formerly of La Grande, died Feb. 3 at her daughter's home in Portland.

A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Christina Church, 518 S. Main St., in Milton-Freewater.

Wanda was born Aug. 5, 1938, to Ken and June Durham in Pasco. She was raised in Milton-Freewater and graduated from McLoughlin High School in 1956. She graduated in 1961 from Northwest Christian College in Eugene with a Bachelor of Science degree in Christian education. She also completed coursework toward a master's program from Goddard College in counseling psychology.

She married Bruce Warnock on June 18, 1961. The family lived in the Willamette Valley for several years and then settled in La Grande. The couple later divorced.

Wanda was primarily a homemaker until her children were in elementary school, when she became a counselor at Head Start, then Grande Ronde Child Center. She was employed at Greenwood Elementary School as a counselor for 13 years until she retired in 2000.

From her late teens, Wanda had a unique ability and sensitivity for working with children and people with special needs - an interest that continued all through her life, even into her retirement years. She exhibited a warm, cheerful and accepting personality that drew people to her. As a result she developed many meaningful friendships and never knew a stranger. Those who knew her say her empathetic listening was a unique gift that she gave generously, enriching the lives of family and friends.

Wanda enjoyed painting with watercolors, gardening and reading, and loved spending time on the Oregon coast. A highlight of her life was a long anticipated trip to England and Scotland with her sister in 1998, celebrating her 60th birthday in London.

In recent years she enjoyed time with several classmates of her Mac-Hi Class of 1956. Her greatest love was spending time with her children and grandchildren and supporting their interests in numerous ways.

Wanda is survived by her daughters, Linda Blomberg of Yakima and Nancy Ann Warnock of Porltland; son, Douglas Warnock of Portland; three grandsons, Joshua, Taylor and Nicholas Blomberg; mother, June Durham of Milton-Freewater; sister and brother-in-law, Karen and Clint Reeder of Pendleton; brother and sister-in-law, Ken and Barbara Durham of Portland; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father and a nephew.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cancer Research or Children First for Oregon in care of Maumelle-Rhodes Funeral Home, 902 S. Main, Milton-Freewater 97862.