E. Elaine Ferson

Former Bainbridge resident E. Elaine Ferson, 86, of Poulsbo, died Dec. 6 in Bremerton.

She was born July 22, 1918, in Blue River, Wis., to John B. and Maude (Hood) Gassere.

She was raised in Wisconsin, and earned a degree in art education at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

As Mrs. Gordon Kelley, she raised five children at Fletcher Bay, all of whom graduated from Bainbridge High School.

When her children were grown, she was manager and co-owner with husband Don Ferson of the Inquisitors Club, later called the Share the Ride Club, a travel service for senior citizens that operated in the Seattle area.

She was an avid reader and enjoyed English literature, and she made two trips to England in her later years. She was a devoted mother and grandmother.

She is survived by sons Kirk Wollin of Indianola, Paul Kelley of Kent, and Michael Kelley of Renton; daughters Marsha Pellegrini of Bremerton and Sally Duckworth of Poulsbo; grandchildren Aimee Wollin, Sonia Wollin, Dominic Pellegrini, Kelley Duckworth Krause, Tessie Duckworth and Hannah Duckworth; great-grandchildren Rowan McConnell and Tucker Krause; and sister Fay Lafayette of Minneapolis, Minn.

Services were Dec. 13 at First Baptist Church on Bainbridge Island, with arrangements by the Stone Chapel. An online memorial is at www.lewischapel.com.