Obituary of Ernestine Marie Scarbrough

Ernestine "Ernie" Scarbrough passed away with her loving husband Dale by her side on July 26, 2017, in Vancouver, Washington, after complications from illness.  She was born Ernestine Marie Michels in Stayton, Oregon, on June 6, 1932.

When Ernie was three years old, her parents, Anthony and Mathilda moved to Washougal to take jobs at Pendleton Woolen Mills.  As she was growing up, Ernie enjoyed the many shopping trips to Portland with her mother.  They would ride the bus and visit the Tea Room at Meier & Frank and frequent the Charles F Berg clothing store.

Ernie graduated from Washougal High School and attended Washington State University. During the summer, she worked in the bag factory at the paper mill in Camas.  After college, Ernie got a full time position at the mill and worked as the receptionist for more than forty years.  During most of her career there, she managed up to 1,000 phone lines on the old style switchboard systerm.  This was the perfect job for our "Ernie" who loved to talk on the phone!

Ernie met Dale, the love of her life, at Washington State University (WSU).  Their first date was a boat ride on Lacamas Lake.  Ernie and Dale were married on July 27, 1957 at St Thomas Aquinas in Camas following a seven month courtship.  At their wedding, they served Pink Champagne cake.  The couple enjoyed many evenings of dancing fun, several river trips in Dale's boat, fun times at the Sandy Swimming Hole in Washougal and parties at local hangouts including the Wagon Wheel, The Showboat and Jantzen Beach Ballroom. Throughout her life, Ernie loved music.  She loved to dance, dine out and entertain with their many friends from Camas and Washougal.  One of her greatest joys was seeing the WSU Cougars win football games.  For several decades, Ernie and Dale were avid fans and season ticket holders for the Seattle Seahawks and the Cougs!

Although Ernie and Dale never had children of their own, they opened their hearts to touch many young lives.

Ernie will be remembered for her beautiful smile and unwavering generosity to others. Together with her husband Dale, she was a frequent donor to the Washington State University Foundation, The Salvation Army and Veterans of Foreign Wars.  It was not uncommon for Ernie and Dale to pay for college tuition for relatives and friends in need. When Ernie took trips, she always showered her friends with lavish gifts upon her return. She loved talking to friends on the phone to catch up on the latest news.  She collected cookbooks and recipes and was always shopping for another handy kitchen gadget.

For Ernie, her Catholic faith and her love of family and friends were her central focus. She will be missed by all who knew her.  She is survived by her husband, Dale, of Camas, sister, Roberta Forbes of Vancouver, and two nieces, Catherine Post of Vancouver and Ann Petersen of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa.

A funeral Mass to celebrate Ernie's life will be held Monday, August 7, 2017, at 3:00 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 324 NE Oak Street in Camas, WA.  Memorial donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul in care of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Camas.  A graveside service will be held immediately following Mass at the Fern Prairie Cemetary, 26700 NE Robinson Road in Camas.  After the graveside service, a luncheon to celebrate Ernie's life will be held at Shangri-La Farm in Fern Prairie.  ADA parking is available at the farm, 26300 NE Third Street, Camas, Wa.  Overflow parking will be available at Grove Field Airport, 632 NE 267th Avenue, Camas, Wa.

Brown's Funeral Home & Cremation Services has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Please sign Ernie's guestbook at:  www.brownsfh.com