Eilene (Brush) LePelley

It is with deep love and heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved mother, Eilene (Brush) LePelley. Eilene was born June 16, 1945, in Hailey, Idaho to Theo B. and Nina Mae Brush. Eilene passed away gracefully from cancer April 24, 2026 at her home in Springfield, Oregon.

Eilene was one of those rare souls. She lived life fully, selflessly, and beautifully, and her life was rooted in love, giving, kindness, and unwavering care for others. Eilene loved to talk with family and friends. Her love was her legacy. It lives on in her children, her family, and her friends. She taught us what it means to love without condition, to give without expecting anything in return, and to live with grace even in life’s hardest moments. Eilene graduated from Richfield High School in 1963. She was a cheerleader, lettered in basketball, and loved going to school with her friends. She went on to graduate from Idaho State University earning a bachelor’s degree in education and a minor in Physical Education. She began her teaching and coaching career in Cambridge, Idaho, under the guidance of Superintendent Harold and Judy Stroud. Eilene often described this mentorship and friendship as an example of the joy and reward of teaching. She also learned much about teaching from her Aunt Lorna Valburg Biggers, a teacher and principal at Sweet, Idaho.

Eilene married Lee LePelley of Shoshone in 1969 after knowing him for only six days. She moved to Shoshone and taught and coached at Jerome High School. Eilene was the first Title 9 Women’s Basketball Coach in the State of Idaho. Lee and Eilene purchased Magic Lake Resort-West Side and ran that business for two years. Eilene and Lee moved to Eugene, Oregon where she continued her teaching career at Merritt Davis Business College of Eugene and then at Lane Community College of Eugene. At Lane she was named ‘Outstanding Instructor of the Year’ in 1987. Eilene fully retired from teaching in 2019. Eilene loved teaching. She didn’t just say the right things. She encouraged living them, every day in every way through her gentle words, her quiet strength, or the way she showed up for the people she loved. She made everyone around her feel seen, valued, and deeply cared for.

Eilene is survived by her children: Danny (Jodee) LePelley, Sue (Dave) Turcotte, Sheri Ritchie, Bill (Cathy) LePelley; her brother David (Marie) Brush, sister-in-law Margaret Brush; Grandchildren, Great, Great-Great, and Great-Great-Great Grandchildren numbering 60 plus; numerous nieces, nephews, and many very special friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Lee after 39 years of marriage in 2008, her parents Theo and Nina Brush, siblings Ted Brush, Diana (Dick) Calvert, Annetta (Richard) Payton, and Lorna Jean (Rob) McGill, her daughter Amy Johnstun and three grandchildren.

A ‘Celebration of Life’ will be held at City First Church, Downtown Campus, 830 Madison Street, Eugene, Oregon 97402 on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 2:00pm.

She will be missed beyond words but never beyond reach. Her spirit, her lessons, and her love will continue to guide us every single day.

We love you to the moon and back Forever