Anna Lucille Slavens

SLAVENS, Anna (Lucille) (Age 88) - Born September 19, 1921 to Anna and Peter Billesbach in a house on a hill above the ESU Campus in Cheney, WA, now the site of the twin dorm room towers. Lucille died April 15, 2010 after a ten year battle with multiple medical problems. Although her given name is Anna, after her mother, for all of her life she has been "Lucille". She graduated from Cheney High School in 1938 and immediately entered EWSC. In 1942, she left to assist in the war effort. She was employed at Geiger Field and Fairchild Air Bases. The end of December 1945, her fiance, Morris R. Slavens, also a Cheney resident, returned from overseas military service and on February 14, 1946 they were married. As the war effort was phased out she was terminated by Fairchild and went to work as an order clerk at Carstens Packing Company. She left in 1953 to raise a family. Lucille was preceded in death by her parents; a son, William M. Slavens who in 1982, at age 27, was killed in a vehicle accident; and by a sister, Marietta Blachly of Cupertino, CA. She is survived by her husband, Morris "Morrie" Slavens of 64 years; a son, Michael J. Slavens of Liberty Lake, WA; granddaughter Lori Carbary (husband, Tom) of Reardan, WA; nephew, Brad Blachly (wife, Jeannine) of La Selva Beach,CA; and a special cousin, Pat Woods of Otis Orchards, WA. Lucille displayed a remarkable attitude during her long illness. No matter how badly she might be feeling, Lucille always requested needs with a smile and a please. And when the service was performed she responded with a smile and a thank you. Lucille and her smile will be missed by all who knew and loved her. The family is grateful for the care she received at Manor Care Nursing Home, especially nurse Judi. At her request there will be no public services. Urn placement will be at Spokane Memorial Gardens.