Nellie Florence Garrison

Nellie Florence Garrison, 87, passed away on Monday, March 2, 2015 in Sandpoint, Idaho. Nellie was born on Dec. 13, 1927 at Coons Corner, near Meadville, Pennsylvania the daughter of Robert H and Mary Ellen Ramsey. The family moved to Sandpoint in 1937 and her father worked in the logging camps on Pack River. In 1943 the family moved to Westmond. She attended Eastern Washington University (at that time a teachers college) and the University of Idaho where she received her bachelor’s degree in education. In 1949 she was hired to teach at the “one room school house” in Morton and was the last teacher before the school closed. She then taught at the “one room school house” on the East Side Road, near Priest River. On December 22, 1952 she married Gordon Tilford Garrison, they would later divorce in 1979. For a period of time, Nellie quit teaching to raise her three children, returning to teaching in the late 1960”s. She taught as a language arts instructor, focusing on the 7th and 8th grades. She retired in 1998 after a 30 year career. Nellie volunteered, as a researcher, at the Bonner County Historical Museum for many years in her retirement. She is survived by her three children: Virginia Lee (Tom) Bengston of Sun Valley, NV; Mary Garrison of Coeur d’Alene, ID; and Bob (Elly) Garrison of Northport, WA. Four grandchildren including Travis (Sara) Garrison of Sandpoint; six great grandchildren; A special niece Liz Cox of Sagle; and a brother-in-law Richard (Celia) Garrison of Spokane. She will be missed by many friends and relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents and 8 siblings.