Loa Loraine (Ainsworth) Perin, 77, of Moscow, Idaho, passed away April 9, 2013, at her home. Loa was born Aug. 10, 1935, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Burton and Rosetta (Sherwood) Ainsworth.
Loa attended and graduated from American Falls High School in 1953. She then went on to the Sacred Heart School of Nursing where she earned a registered nursing degree graduating in 1956. Loa later received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Gonzaga University in 1981, and finally, her master's degree in public administration from Boise State University in 1994.
Loa worked at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Wash., for 24 years. While there she was proud to be part of the scrub team that performed the first open heart surgery and was head nurse of recovery for 15 years. She also worked at the Veterans Administration in Spokane before moving to Boise, Idaho, where she continued to work for the Veterans Administration. Lastly, she worked as a state surveyor for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare until she retired at the age of 70.
Loa married Leslie Perin in 1956 in Spokane, Wash. Together they were blessed to have five children and were later divorced.
Loa was strong in her faith, her church and church lives were very important to her. She had served as a lay leader at Collister United Methodist Church in Boise for 15 years. Loa also enjoyed various crafts including crocheting, oil painting and needle point. She had a passion for roses, raising a glorious rose garden, her favorite rose being the Queen Elizabeth Rose. She also loved anything and everything owl and proudly displayed her extensive collection in her home. Her favorite time of year was the Christmas season, which she honored with a beautiful ceramic church display.
Loa is survived by four children Cindy (Don) Schade of Belfair, Wash., Stephanie (Rob) Higgins of Orofino, Idaho, Althea (Dwaine) Sheets of Moscow, Idaho, and Charles (Sandy) Perin of Caldwell, Idaho; sister, Betty Grischkowsky of Pocatello, Idaho; one brother Burton "Bud" (Carol) Ainsworth of Hagerman, Idaho; 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews. Loa was preceded in death by her parents, and son Michael Leslie Perin.
Cremation was held and a celebration of her life will be 3 p.m. Sunday April 14, 2013, at the recreation center at Creekside Senior Apartments (1203 Creekside Lane, Moscow, Idaho).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Camp Angels or Youth Charity at the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 9774, Moscow, Idaho, 83843.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Short's Funeral Chapel and on-line condolences may be made at www.shortsfuneralchapel.net.
