Inez C. Sencer passed away peacefully on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019 in Hermiston at the age of 100.
Inez was born on May 27, 1919 in Washington, D.C.
At age 3, she and her mother moved to the Southwest, where her grandparents and aunts and uncles would help with her upbringing while her mother supported them as an elementary school teacher. Inez enjoyed desert living in the small towns of Roswell, N.M., Ray, Ariz., Silver City, N.M. and Tucson, Ariz. She attended the University of Arizona as an education major, where she met her future husband, Robert Sencer, in the dance and drama department. Inez was a principle dancer in the university’s dance troupe, and Bob was a theater arts major.
Inez and Bob married on Feb. 12, 1944. They resided in Victorville, Calif., and their son, Michael was born. Bob continued with his graduate studies in English, which led to their relocation to upstate New York, where Bob started teaching at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Inez kept busy in the small community of Dunham Hollow/Averill Park raising her family, which now included two daughters, Barbara and Sarah (Sally). She was very involved in community activities, 4-H, teaching women’s exercise classes, substitute teaching in the elementary school, and many home improvement projects. Her favorite activities involved sewing, gardening, reading, camping, travel, writing haiku poetry, reupholstering, refinishing furniture, block printing, making pottery, canning, putting up jams, baking, and entertaining as a professor’s wife.
In 1970 Inez, Bob and daughter Sarah (Sally) moved to Bozeman, Mont., where Bob took a position at Montana State University teaching mass media communications and technical writing. Again, Inez kept busy following her daughter’s school activities, entertaining, teaching exercise classes, sewing, cross-country skiing, Bible study, and assisting with the establishment of a new
church parish. It was at Resurrection Parish where Inez became active in her church, introducing liturgical dance, sewing vestments and banners, and planning liturgies.
In retirement, Inez and Bob lived in Grass Valley, Calif., Central Point and Poestenkill, N.Y. where, as always, the couple was actively involved with their family, church and community and did volunteer work for the libraries, food banks and church. After Bob’s death, Inez moved to Hermiston to be closer to Sarah (Sally). She resided at Sun Terrace Assisted Living and then Regency Nursing Center.
In May 2019, Inez celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends. Children, grandchildren and great grandchildren from all across the country joined in the celebration of her life.
Inez is survived by her three children and their families, Michael Sencer and partner Vivian Wright of Castleton, N.Y., Barbara Lohrke and husband Darrell of Auburn, Calif. and Sarah Zwiefelhofer and husband Jay of Hermiston; nine grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.
A private family burial will be held.
Please share memories of Inez with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
