Our loving Elinor Hinckle, with an amazing spirit, passed away Thursday, March 19, 2009. If you have been blessed with her presence, you know how wonderful she was. Elinor was born on March 11, 1926 in Portland, Oregon to Marie and George Schlitt. She was the youngest of her three sisters; Minnie, Elma and Irene. Elinor's parents were German and lived in Russia before they came to the United States through Portland, Maine in the early 1900s and moved across the country to settle in Portland, Oregon. Elinor grew up in Portland and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1944. To earn money for her clothes, she picked hops, strawberries and raspberries. She always aspired to be a nurse, but needed to find a job the very next day after graduation and went to work for the phone company. In 1946, she met the love of her life, Ernest (Jim) Conrad Hinckle (also German Russian), who thought she was "quite a gal" and would become her husband on April 5, 1947. Jim worked for the disposal company and on their very first date picked her up in the company truck. Elinor and Jim moved to Ellensburg, Washington in 1953 to pursue a great opportunity in the disposal business. They bought the Ellensburg Disposal Company, and in Ellensburg settled down and raised a beautiful family. Their daughter, Debra, and two younger sons, Jim and Kirk along with nephew Gary Groff, helped out with the family business and went to work many early mornings to drive the truck; a family with strong work ethic that still continues today! Elinor and Jim made many lifelong friendships in Ellensburg and were very active. If Elinor put her mind to something, she was going to do it! What a go getter! In her 80s, she was actively a part of Altrusa, swimming, golfing and bowling with her treasured lady friends. Elinor was very involved in her Bible study group. She enjoyed old time musicals and liked to go out to lunch, usually ordering a Caesar salad! Elinor enjoyed gambling with Jim and playing gin, bridge and Bunco. Together, Elinor and Jim enjoyed many vacations with family and friends. Elinor was very passionate about her family history. In the early 1990s they went on a trip to Russia to trace her family's heritage going back to the 1700's. Elinor knew how to make such an inviting home with her hospitality and wow, what a great cook! From her simple eggs on toast to the best apple pies, rye bread and blina (German family recipe), we loved them all. The Christmas cookies she made with her daughter after every Thanksgiving were famous to family and friends. On every holiday and celebration, you knew you were going to be fed with delicious food that she could just "whip up" so easily! Elinor cared very deeply for her family. She watched their children raise their own families and supported them through anything and everything. In good times and hard times, you knew she would be there and give you her all. Elinor was extremely generous. There was always a place in her heart and home for everyone. What a lovely woman! She is survived by her loving husband Ernest (Jim) Conrad Hinckle, daughter Debra Harrel and husband Arley, son Jim Hinckle and wife Julie, son Kirk Hinckle and wife Wendy, sister Irene Usinger and brother-in-law Abe Wolf. Elinor has six grandchildren: Courtney, Brett & Connor (Debra & Arley), Brook & Kade (Jim & Julie) and Kevin (Kirk & Wendy) and was even a great-grandmother for the first time to Kade and wife Ashley's son, Matthew. There are many other family members and friends who had a place in Elinor's heart. We love you so much and are forever blessed by you. You will always be in our hearts and memories. We will miss you tremendously! A memorial will be held for Elinor to celebrate what a precious gem she was at the First Presbyterian Church on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 2 o'clock. Donations can be made in her honor to Ellensburg Youth Basketball at 3740 Brondt Rd. Ellensburg, WA. 98926. She loved to watch basketball! Arrangements by Steward & William Tribute Center, Ellensburg, WA. 98926.