DEDICATION
I dedicate this year to my family and to my lodge, Carnation #95 and
District #12, for without their support, encouragement and love,
I would not be serving as your President.
To Past Presidents who started my journey -
Alta McMinimey, Mrya Peterson, Nellie Swarthout, Marie Shaffer,
Wanda Rowland and the Past Presidents for their help.
THEME
Work Hard - Play Hard - Have Fun Doing Our Work
MOTTO
To enjoy Rebekah Sisterhood and let our story be told
EMBLEMS
White Cowboy Hat - we are the good guys
The Donkey - a faithful, steady and reliable friend
Silver Horse Shoe for good luck
WATCHWORDS
Friendship, Love, Truth
FLOWERS
Pink Carnation for my lodge, Carnation #95
Yellow Rose in memory of my husband, Lyle
COLORS
Turquoise for the colors of the lakes and trees
Silver for the rich silver of Idaho
GUIDES
Holy Bible, Ritual, Book of Instructions, The Code,
and All Past Presidents
AIMS
Let our Order be known in the community,
get new members and do good
where ever we can
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 23
PRAYER
Serenity Prayer
BIOGRAPHY
I was born to Chester C. and Marian M. Ellicott in Chicago, Illinois on February 17, 1936, but moved to Henry’s Lake, Idaho when I was 3 months old. I am a native of Idaho. I went to school in West Yellowstone, Montana for the first two years, Idaho Falls, Idaho for the next four years, Rowland Hall, Salt Lake City, Utah for two years and then graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1954. Also attended North Idaho Jr. College and Boise State University. I worked for a car dealer while in high school, Idaho First National Bank, Grants Construction, Hayden Lake Country Club and 25 years as City Clerk/Treasurer of the City of Hayden Lake and am now serving my first year as Mayor of Hayden Lake. I married my high school sweetheart, Lyle Morris, on March 18, 1956 and was married for 48 years. Lyle passed away April 30, 2004 after being hurt in a snowmobile accident in 1983. He was a T-4 paraplegic for 21 years, and I took care of him. We traveled and fished and spent time at our cabin in the Coeur d’Alene forest. We have two children; son Chet and wife Debbie and children Jessica and Dillon; and daughter Sharon Lewis and children Marisa, Whitney and Desiree and one Great-granddaughter Ava.
I have been involved in many things: PTA Hayden Lake School; Boy and Girl Scout Leader; 4-H leader and still judge at the fair; Fire Dept Auxiliary President; Miss Hayden Lake Pageant for several years; Baseball mom for the children; Hayden Lake school fun night; and now on the Legislative Committee of Association of Idaho Cities, and running for parts and things. I was a partner in the business - Morris Excavating, even running the backhoe or dump trucks to jobs.
I joined the Carnation Rebekah Lodge No. 95 in December 1966 and have been a member ever since. I have held all office in lodge except secretary and treasurer and been Noble Grand three times. I am a member of Lake City #10 LAPM and Plummer Odd Fellow Lodge. I also belong to Association of Idaho Cities; Hayden Lake Eagles (Charter Member), Coeur d’Alene Snowmobile Club, City of Hayden Historical Commission and Avondale Golf Club. I have been involved in the Hayden Lake Chamber of Commerce; Coeur d’Alene Saddle Club; VFW; Idaho City Clerks, Treasurer and Finance Officers Association (President 1994-95 and Clerk of Year 1994).
I grew up on a Dude Ranch, the Slash E Ranch, at Henry’s Lake, Idaho and loved horses. I was Rodeo Queen of the Wild Horse Stampede Rodeo at Island Park in 1949 and in 1959 I was Rodeo Queen of the Coeur d’Alene Rodeo. I also showed horses around the Idaho and Washington area. I still like horses and ride when I can. Maybe that is the reason for the White Hat.
I am very proud of my family as my Grandfather 6 generations back, Andrew Ellicott, was surveyor general of the United States under President George Washington. My Grandfather, Mayor Edward B. Ellicott, was head of the Board of Education in Chicago. I have traced my family back to 1662 and have visited Ellicott City, Maryland. My Dad was trustee of the Village of Island Park and a surveyor. My Father-in-law, Leonard Morris, was Mayor of Hayden Lake for 9 years and my husband, Lyle, was Fire Chief of the Hayden Lake Fire Protection District for 14 years, Guess that is where the Politics come into place.I love being a Rebekah and am looking forward to being your President this next year, the love and support they have given me over the past 42 years is beyond my wildest dreams. Rebekah Sisters are truly Sisters in every sense of the work. I love you all.
