Nola Jean Minshew Parkinson, 89, passed away in her sleep early the morning of May 31, 2021, at her home in Silverton, Oregon.
She was born on Sept. 5, 1931 to Dorothy Ruth Hudson Minshew and Robert Perry Minshew in Pocatello, Idaho. They soon moved to Twin Falls, where she spent the rest of her childhood. Nola enjoyed music and dance, and as
a young child, was quite a talented tap dancer. Later, she played the French horn in the school band.
Nola graduated from Twin Falls High School in 1949, before heading back to Pocatello to attend Idaho State University as an English major, where she joined the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. It was there she met a young pharmacy student, Fred R. Parkinson, who became the love of her life and her constant companion for the next 70 plus years.
She and Fred married on April 8, 1951 in Twin Falls, Idaho. Soon after their marriage, the couple moved to Coos Bay, then to Central Point, where they spent the next few years.
Fred had begun saving to purchase his own drugstore almost immediately upon entering the workforce, and soon their dreams were realized when Fred and Nola bought Silverton Drug Store in 1955 and became proud members of the Silverton community.
Nola helped out at the store in the early years, and was an avid bowler. Later on, she took up golf. She enjoyed volunteering with many local organizations, was a long-standing member of the local PEO, and also a member of multiple bridge clubs. When Fred took elected office as State Representative in 1981, she became his administrative assistant during biennial legislative sessions for the next six terms. She enjoyed their time spent together
at the Capitol serving his constituency over those 12 years, and cherished the friendships made with other legislators and their wives along the way.
Due to her love of music, she was also very proud that all five of her children sang in the Choralaires, some at the same time, and she loved to watch them perform.
Fred and Nola enjoyed an active retirement. Nola spent several months each year in Hawaii with Fred and her step-mother and best-friend Marj. Nola also loved the annual weekend Christmas shopping trips to Portland and Seattle which she enjoyed with her daughters and granddaughters. She looked forward to the annual camping trip to Hermiston with 100 of her closest family and friends, always wanting to be the first to arrive in their fifth wheel trailer, and the last to drive away.
Nola left a legacy that was also her greatest joy: her family, and to Nola, the concept of family need not always involve blood. She opened her home and her heart to countless friends whom she treated like family.
Nola is predeceased by her parents, Robert Perry Minshew and Dorothy Ruth Hudson Minshew; her brother Robert Neil Minshew; and her grandson, Marshall Perry Briscoe. She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Fred R. Parkinson; her five children: Pennie Day (Mike), Fred A. Parkinson, Shannon Montoya (Lem), Polly Briscoe (Dan), and Nicole Winnen (Jarod); sister,
Linda Morrison (Earl); sister, Marjorie “Punkin” McGihon (Jon); brother, William “Buster” Minshew (Gretchen); and her step-mother, Marjorie Minshew. Also surviving Nola are 11 of her grandchildren: Erin Scott (Colin), Kevin Day (Katie), Adam Montoya (Jenny), Stephanie Boni (Pat), Kyle Day (Haley), Jordan Briscoe (Sarah), Carter Briscoe, Nolan Briscoe, Connor Winnen, Sydney Winnen, Casey Winnen, and 18 great- grandchildren.
A service was held on Saturday, June 5 at the Silverton Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, with a private graveside service that followed at Union Hill Cemetery in Sublimity.
