Elaine Thomas Barrett Smalley passed away in hospice care in Arizona on Aug. 16, 2015, following an extended struggle with Parkinson's Disease. She was 83 years old and deeply loved.
-Elaine Gay Thomas was born on Dec. 14, 1931, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, to Alice Edith (Dunning) Thomas and Robert Charles Thomas. The family moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, in 1940 where they lived in a house on Front Street and Elaine grew into a pretty, popular and happy young woman - the apple of her dad's eye. She was a member of the high school drill team, an usherette at The Roxy movie theater and a wonderful dancer. She was awarded her diploma with the Coeur d'Alene High School graduating class of 1950.
-On July 3, 1950, Elaine eloped to Superior, Mont., with Thomas Bruce Barrett, a union lasting more than 30 years that produced three children. Once she became a mom, she was first and foremost always a mom. For the rest of her days she never wavered in the tender love and abiding care she gave her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who adored her. She was kind and generous, understanding and supportive. Motherhood was her most important life's work.
-Once her children were in school, Elaine joined the job force and for many years was employed in the civil department of the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office (KCSO). She was respected and liked by her coworkers, attorneys and judges and became a knowledgeable and valuable resource on civil law. She was conscientious to a fault and her work was always impeccable, prompting many successive sheriffs to retain her in their administrations.
-When Elaine was widowed she decided a challenge would be therapeutic, so she applied for a position in the sheriff's office detective division, a bold move at the time since no woman had ever held the position before. By then in her 50s, she was required to complete post academy, pass rigorous physical fitness tests and qualify on the shooting range. Through hard work and dedication she succeeded and was sworn in as the first female detective in the history of Kootenai County's SO. She said she had to perform twice as well as the male detectives simply to be accepted by them as a peer. She found her special calling working "crimes against people," where her gender and her love of children made her especially effective as an investigator, interviewer and advocate for child victims and rape victims. Eventually she was asked to teach classes at North Idaho College and speak publicly to various civic organizations. Her family is very proud of her trailblazing role for women detectives in the county and of her professionalism in a difficult, sometimes dangerous but rewarding career in law enforcement. She made a positive difference in many peoples' lives and earned much admiration and respect.
-Following her retirement, she married DeWayne Smalley of Coeur d'Alene in 1992 and the couple traversed the country in their travel trailer with various friends, seeing the U.S. from coast to coast. They eventually bought a home in Yuma, Ariz., and another in Bayview, Idaho, and officially became migrating "snowbirds," following the sun and warm weather. Elaine loved her homes and spending time with friends and family. She was happiest when surrounded by loved ones and was deeply saddened to be widowed again in 2009. At that time she moved to the Phoenix area to be close to family, where she spent the remainder of her life.
-Some of Elaine's favorite things included country music, whale watching on the Oregon Coast, meals out at Applebee's and Olive Garden, and viewing "Dancing With The Stars" on television (she always cheered for Derek Hough). Before Parkinson's sidelined her, she loved shopping and was always a fashion plate, with matching shoes and accessories for every outfit. She adored children and was a Believer who prayed every night.
-Preceding her in death were her parents and both husbands. She leaves behind a loving family who misses her dearly, including two brothers Robert (Patricia) Thomas of Tempe, Ariz., and Bruce (Louise) Thomas of Tenino, Wash.; two daughters Kathy (Jeff) DeLongchamp of Los Angeles, Calif., and Cindi Graham of Waddell, Ariz.; one son Brad (Julie) Barrett of Kennewick, Wash.; five grandchildren, Devon Purington, Amie (Shane) Olerich, Kristina Barrett, Siobhan Barrett and Thorvald Barrett; four great-grandchildren, Asia, Makai and Kade Olerich and Sai'j Barrett. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and their families.
-At Elaine's request, no public services will be held. Cremation has taken place with interment to be at Forest Cemetery in Coeur d'Alene at a future date.
-"Peaceful rest is yours, dear Mama, for God has taken you to better things and left us behind to mourn this insurmountable loss. You are always loved, forever missed and never forgotten."