Evelyn Gail Holt, 82

Evelyn Gail Holt, resident of Wallace, Idaho, passed away peacefully Feb. 28, 2022.

Gail was born in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, on May 12, 1939, to "Ruth" and "Red" Hillen, the second daughter of five children.

While working for Canada Bell as a switchboard operator, Gail met her husband, James (Jim) Holt. Jim and Gail had four children together.

Gail's parents left Canada for sunny California in 1963. Gail and Jim soon followed and she went to work for a time at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds as a secretary before going to work full time at Boys Republic as a secretary. At Boys Republic, she made what would become lifelong friends and was a positive influence on the often troubled teens who lived there.

Gail was very active in the Hacienda Heights Women's Club, as well as her children's sports and school activities, including being a "Team Mom" and manager for several years. She was an active member of St. Martha's Episcopal Church and one of the leaders of the church youth group, heading up numerous pancake breakfasts, field trips and dinners.

Always active, she was also an avid bowler and enjoyed monthly bunco nights with her group of close-knit friends. In addition, she loved sewing and creating beautiful quilts and other items for family, friends and donations for local charities.

After retiring from Boys Republic, Gail and Jim relocated to Spokane, Wash., and traveled extensively.

She enjoyed riverboat cruises, an Alaskan cruise, the Hawaiian Islands and visiting Jim's family in Great Britain.

Gail lived quietly in Osburn, Idaho, and then Wallace, but loved having visitors and showing them the beauty of the Silver Valley.

Her beloved husband preceded her in death by several years. She leaves her brother, Stephen; and four children, Patti-Lynn, Colin, Elizabeth and Wendy. She also leaves her grandchildren, Cody Bailey, Wesley, Randy, Sierra, Sydney and Troy James; in addition to her great-grandchildren, Neyla, Kera, Azra, Madison, James, Antoinette and Amelia. Gail is also survived by numerous cousins, in-laws, nieces and nephews across the U.S., Canada and Great Britain.

There will be a celebration of life gathering at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 9, 2022, at the Brooks Hotel in Wallace. The family invites anyone who would like to raise a glass to honor the adventurous spirit of their mother.

The family would like to thank the wonderful and caring staff members at Shoshone Medical Center, Silver Valley Seniors Center and the Brooks Hotel for their kindness and care of our mother.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in Gail's name be given to Silver Valley Seniors Inc. in Osburn.

Shoshone Funeral Services & Crematory, Kellogg, Idaho, is entrusted with services. You may share your special memories of Evelyn with her family at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com.