Ava Jean McMillen Gagnon

Ava Jean Gagnon, 96 years, one month, a longtime resident of the Waitsburg area, passed peacefully, surrounded by her Whitman Place family on July 26, 2021.

Ava Jean was born to Frank and Genevieve McMillen on June 26, 1925, at home in Hagie, Wyoming. Ave, as she was often called, was the oldest of three children. She attended school in Hawk Springs, Wyoming, graduating from high school in 1943. After graduation, she moved to Portland, Oregon, to work for Western Union during World War II.

Louise Gagnon, a cousin of John Gagnon, brought Ave to Waitsburg and introduced her to John. Ave and John were married on September 20, 1947, in Walla Walla, WA. They moved to the Gagnon ranch at Alto and had four children. The couple farmed the land for nearly 70 years.

Ava Jean sang tenor in the girls’ chorus in high school. She was an active member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church, belonging to the Altar Society and choir. She was a member of the Odaka Club of Waitsburg and worked several pack seasons for the Green Giant Company on the line as well as in the canteen.

Ave could usually be found in her garden or at her sewing machine when not preparing creative homemade meals for her family as well as the harvest crew each summer.  Ave was well known for her homemade chicken and noodles and cinnamon rolls.

The Gagnon home was always a welcome place to friends and family, especially their grandchildren.

Ava Jean is survived by her four children, Bess (Clint) Herndon, Nancy (Raymond) Bray, George Gagnon (Roz Edwards), and Barb Jones (Joe Russell), seven grandchildren:  Grady Herndon, Heidi Coulter, Sherri Brown, Marty Bray, Cassy Randall, Tim, and Aaron Jones, Fifteen great-grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Ava Jean was preceded in death by her parents, husband John, sister Diane Dowers, brother Robert McMillen, and two grandchildren, Jenni and Andy Herndon.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 7, 2021, at 10 am at the Waitsburg Cemetery. A light meal reception will follow at the Waitsburg Town Hall.