Ferne L. Talarico

7/7/1937 — 6/7/2016

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1917-2016

Ferne Talarico, a longtime resident of Clarkston, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 7, 2016.

Ferne was born in Iowa, one of eight children. Her family moved throughout the Midwest before finally settling in the Spokane area. On July 7, 1937, she married Tony Talarico, with whom she would spend the next 69 years until his death in 2006. The two resided in Pullman, raising their daughter, Betsy. During that time, she worked with Campfire Girls, where she was the recipient of the Charlotte Armstrong Award. She also worked with United Way and the Pullman Hospital Association. In 1978, she and Tony retired to Clarkston, where she resided until her passing.

Ferne never stopped learning and made the most of craftsman skills and traits she mastered over the years. She built a home with Tony, furnished with many pieces she crafted herself. Ferne was also an avid golfer and bridge player. Never one to idle, she turned to drawing in her 90s, to the amazement of friends and family.

Ferne was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Clyde, Lowell, Robert, Harry and Russell Smith; sister Betty Smith; and husband Tony.

She is survived by her sister, Esther Gillespie (Pullman); daughter Betsy Fowler (Mountain View, Calif.); grandsons Brad (Mt. View, Calif.) and Drew Fowler (Alameda, Calif.); great-grandsons Jamie (Mountain View, Calif.) and Lorenzo Fowler (Alameda, Calif.); and great-granddaughter Molly Fowler (Mountain View, Calif.)

A private burial will be held later.

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