Obituary of Myrna Ilene Finch

Myrna Ilene Finch, 81, Meridian, ID passed away Nov. 15, 2021, due to complications from surgery.

Myrna was born April 8, 1940, to Harry Tillotson and Grace Ilene Gibbs-Tillotson, 4^th of 8 children.

She was raised in Lava Hot Springs, ID and attended Lava Elementary and North Marsh High School.

On May 4, 1956, she married John W. Finch and spent 55 years with the love of her life. Through this union, they had 4 children, Randy, Kent, JaNel, and Jay.

Myrna worked as a waitress most of her life. Majority of that at O.J. 's restaurant in Meridian, retiring from there in 1985. She and John then traveled to different horse racetracks for 10 years. She achieved her GED and began working in the racetrack offices as a secretary alongside Dad. Then they moved to Lucille, ID, where they managed the Steelhead Inn Hotel for her niece Bonnie for 3 years. Finally deciding to completely retire and move back to Meridian.

Alongside John, she was an Owner and Trainer at Les Bois Park and surrounding states for 25 years. She also loved bowling and bowled at Meridian Lanes every Wednesday afternoon for many years. Her team was sponsored by Bill’s Frontier Club in Meridian, so you can imagine the fun they had.

She was able to check off her bucket list several things;  A trip to Hawaii, Balloon Ride, Helicopter ride, and Zip Lining with her grandson, Jadyn and granddaughter Jordan.  On the top of her list was to attend the Breeders Cup Horse Races, which her dream came true in November 2016 at Santa Anita Park. She was on cloud 9 from then on. She loved watching her kids and grandkids at their many sports, spelling bees, and Rubik’s cube competitions. She enjoyed watching horse racing, football, basketball, golf, and baseball on TV. Favorite football team was BSU. She really enjoyed going for her daily walks.

Myrna is survived by son Kent (Mary), daughter JaNel (Rod), son Jay (Holly), grandchildren, Nate (Suzie), Gaylen (Bryce), Zack, Jessica (Shaily), Dakota, Jordan (Amanda), and Jadyn; great grandchildren, Damien, Kyndall, Aurora, Slone, Lincoln, Jackson, and McKinley, Peyton, Haizlee and Jade. Sisters Margene Carlsen, Roma Hargraves, Brothers Doyle and Brent Tillotson, Sister-in-law Lavon Watson and several nieces and nephews.

Myrna is preceded in death by her husband John, parents (Harry and Grace), Siblings Bill, Gayle, Linda, Son Randy, Grandson Cody John and nephew Mike Corson.

Services will be held on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 1pm under the direction of Summers Funeral Home at the Ustick Chapel and will conclude at the Meridian Cemetery.

We would like to give special thanks to all of the staff at St Luke's Meridian, who did everything they could to make Mom comfortable. Everyone we met was so kind and caring.  Special thanks to Elsa Cervantes, who is a very special friend to our family.