LUMLEY, Elsie M. *

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 11/02/2012 Elsie M. Lumley, 105, died with family by her side Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, at her residence at Courtyard Towers Senior Living Center in Mesa. Elsie was born in Gardiner, N.M. March 13, 1907. She is a first-generation American of immigrant parents from Pacentro, Italy. Elsie was fourth in a family of six: three brothers and two sisters; she has outlived all of them. The family moved to Dawson, N.M., where she met and married her husband, Richard O. Lumley. The family lived in Dawson until 1950 when they moved for a short period of time to Trinidad, Colo. From Trinidad the family relocated to Ajo, where Mr. Lumley worked for the Phelps Dodge Copper Company until his death in 1961. Many will remember Elsie for the time she worked in the Phelps Dodge Mercantile Women’s and Baby Department. Elsie remained in Ajo until 1985 when she relocated to Tempe, where she lived in the winter with daughter, Shirley Davis (Clarence) and summers in Pinetop, Arizona with her daughter, Sheila Colarich (Paul). The past four years Elsie has resided at Courtyard Towers Senior Living Community in Mesa. Elsie lived her live with dignity, grace and strength and was the grandmother of four grandchildren: Steven Davis, Alan Davis, DaNeil Colarich Olson (Jon) and Jason Colarich (Sue); six great-grandchildren; Brian and Nicholas Davis, Alexandra and Maddison Davis, Erik and Corinn Olson. One highlight of her life, which humbles her greatly, is the fact that in 1927, the town of Dawson, N.M., (population about 5,000) held a popularity contest for the title of “Miss Dawson.” Elsie, who worked at a local ice cream parlor, was elected with a vote of over 34,000 votes. A picture of her on the float appeared on her apartment wall among many other photos of her family and life. She has been a loving mother, grandmother and loyal friend and inspiration to both family and friends during her long lifetime. Private family memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Courtyard Towers Employees Christmas Fund, 22 North Robson, Mesa, Arizona 85201 or to the Ajo Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 84, Ajo, AZ 85321.