Elinor Fortier

Elinor (Tholen) Fortier, "Lin", was born 9/11/1924 in Granite Falls, Minnesota during an electrical storm at 2:45 in the afternoon, which announced her arrival. Lin said she spent the rest of her life trying to catch her balance. She received her education in Marshall, Minnesota graduating in 1949 with a B.S. degree in history from the College of St. Benedict. She began a career in teaching with her first post in Parker, Washington. In 1950, she and Allen Fortier of Yakima were married in St. Paul's Cathedral in his home town of Yakima. They then moved to Moscow, Idaho where Allen completed a law degree. In 1955 they returned to Yakima with two young daughters. Their three sons were all born in Yakima. Lin helped open a kindergarten at the Holy Family grade school. She went on to teach kindergarten for 23 years in the Yakima school district. In retirement, Lin and Allen loved to spend part of the winter in Hawaii. Lin also became very interested in Tholen family history as they traveled to Minnesota for family reunions. Lin gathered family information, photos and anecdotes which were later published. Allen passed away in 2009. Lin moved to Orchard Park retirement center and the Terraces Assisted Living community. She passed away at age 98 of natural causes with her family at her side. She is survived by her sister, Elaine Rink (Richard) of Yakima, sand her five children: Mary Brunelle (Allan), Marcia Lofland (Gary), Mark Fortier (Laurie), Val Fortier, Jon Fortier (Jan) as well as three grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the Terraces Assisted Living staff for their loving and kind care through the years. Thanks also to the many friends who visited and called. Mom loved you all! Recitation of the rosary will be held on Friday, February 3rd at 3pm at the Valley Hills Funeral Home in Yakima, WA. Church services will take place at Holy Family Catholic Church on Monday, February 6th at 10am. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Elinor Fortier, please visit our flower store.