Calli Jo Eli

January 4, 1952 - March 21, 2016

Calli Jo Eli was born January 4th, 1952, the second child of Don and Phyllis Eli. Growing up in Chelan was a happy time for Calli. She was surrounded by a supportive family consisting of loving parents, three siblings, fun cousins, grandparents and great grandparents. This extra love and care was a good thing because, as a child, Calli was a determined, little free-spirit and her antics often entertained the rest of the family. Calli attended Chelan Schools and went on to graduate from Eastern Washington University, earning a teaching degree. After her college years, Calli undertook a mission through her church to Chile. She often reflected on the experiences and treasured the time spent. Upon her return, she lived in Salt Lake City for some time before returning to Chelan to help her mother. For many years, Calli worked as a substitute teacher in the Manson and Chelan school districts. Calli was a quiet, gentle woman with many interests throughout her lifetime. In her younger years, she studied dance and went on to participate in theatre performances in college. Despite being only four feet and ten inches tall, she excelled in track in high school. Calli owned every color of yarn ever made because she enjoyed needlepoint, crocheting and knitting. Family members were often gifted with her finished projects. But Calli’s lifelong passions were history and genealogy. She had an excellent memory and soon became the family historian. Her favorite job was working at the Lake Chelan Museum where she was surrounded by early Chelan history with which she was so familiar. Aunt Calli was loved by her nieces and nephews and she delighted in them as well. No holiday went by without a gift for them from Aunt Calli. Her other family - her precious animals meant the world to her and her to them. Calli was a devout reader of scripture, a Sunday school teacher and a member of her beloved circle of genealogy friends. Calli’s passing leaves a huge void in the lives of the people who knew her and loved her. Her quiet countenance, spontaneous laughter and thoughtfulness are no longer a part of our lives but we know she is with her Heavenly Father and pain free. We love you and miss you, sweet daughter, sister, aunt and friend. Please help us celebrate her life by donating to the Lake Chelan Museum.