Joan Lee Dumas

Joan Lee Ebersole Dumas, born December 6, 1930 in Walla
Walla, WA, Parents, William R. Ebersole and Edna Schmidt
Ebersole, passed away peacefully in her home on March 2, 2016.
As an only child, Joan was fortunate to have the love
and guidance of her paternal grandparents, A.L. and LouElla
"Mami" Watson Ebersole.
Her love for animals began very early in her childhood
and continued throughout her life. An avid reader, books
and pets were her constant companions.
At Walla Walla High School she found in Music,
Drama, English, Journalism, loves that lasted her entire
life. Joan was the Editor of "The Wa-Hi Daily Journal",
a member of a Girl's Sextette, Glee Club, Choir and one
play each of her 4 years of High School. In her Senior
year, 1948, she was named the "Friendliest and Happiest"
student. Through vocal music classes at Whitman College
she achieved three years of honors music.
Joan's marriage to William F. McCabe brought her
three dearly loved boys and a move to Moscow, Idaho
for her husband's business. The marriage later ended,
and Joan began her career as Secretary/Administrative
Assistant in higher education, first at the University of
Idaho, then W.S.U. and finally C.W.U.
At the University of Idaho Joan met the love of her life,
Dr. Philip C. Dumas. Both were delighted to find they had
grown up 30 minutes apart, him in Dayton, WA and she in
Walla Walla, WA. True soul mates, they were married, and
the family, Steve, Jeff, Joan and Phil, came to Ellensburg
where Dr. Dumas had accepted a position at C.W.U. in the
Biological Science Department. Joan's oldest son, Michael
continued to live in Idaho.
At CWU Joan became Secretary to the Chairman
and Department Secretary in the new Department of
Speech and Drama. She served in this capacity in other
departments until her retirement. Wonderful friendships
were made and Joan and Phil participated in campus
and community service for many years. A close family,
they were also involved in the boys' activities and spent
wonderful times together.
Joan was a member and participated in "The
Central Players", a CWU Reader's Theatre group. She
was a member of Business and Professional Women,
Toastmasters International, Unified Baker Hospital Guild,
served as President and Secretary of the Kittitas County CA
Society, and Informational Secretary of the Washington
State Chapter of the American Cancer Society. Joan was
a founding member of "Friends of the Animal Shelter" in
Ellensburg, and continued her donations and dedication
to animals until her passing. For years, Joan wrote a
column "Mainly about people" for the Daily Record as
well as a weekly Pet Column.
A wonderful love story ended with Phil's passing
in 1992. Joan is survived by her sons, Michael (Marie)
McCabe, Moscow, ID, Steve McCabe, The Dalles, OR,
Jeffrey (Gaye) McCabe, Salem, OR, a step-son, Michael
Dumas pre-deceased her, step-daughters Michelle Dumas
Smith (Robert), Portland, OR and Christine Peterson,
Spokane, WA. Her Grandchildren, Amanda McKinney
(David), Yakima, WA, Stanley McCabe, Vancouver,
WA, Timothy McCabe, Salem, OR, Angelique McCabe,
Moscow, ID, Kasey McCabe, The Dalles, OR. Her Great-
Grandchildren, Caitlin and Duke McKinney, and Josiah
McCabe. Her adored pets through the years, most recently
Amber, Ming, Missy, Gina, Honey and Butter.
As an only child, Joan valued and cared deeply for her
many friends, Norma Sari, Susanna Hurley, Linda Lapen,
NaDine Tolman and Roberta Buum. Dear friend Robin
Carson gave such loving care to Joan and made it possible
for her to remain in her home with her beloved pets.
At Joan's request there will be no memorial service. If
you wish, memorials may be sent to Friends of the Animal
Shelter, C.O., Kerry Kern Woods, 1206 W. Bender Rd.
Ellensburg or any animal charity of your choice. Personal
condolences may be sent to Steve and Jeff McCabe C/O
2512 Hannah Rd. Ellensburg, WA.
Joan, Mom, Mimi, Gigi, Forever in our hearts and
minds. Thank You For Loving All God's Creatures, Great
and Small.