Sisters says goodbye to Nellie Zook

Nellie Zook died on February 11. She was 87.

Nellie blessed everyone she came near with a boundless, effervescent energy. There seemed to be no limit to her ability to selflessly give to others.

Nellie was named Sisters Citizen of the Year, Central Oregon Community College Instructor of the Year, and was recognized through the Nellie Zook Citizenship Award presented to Sisters students.

Nellie was a dedicated volunteer of the library, Sisters schools, the American Red Cross and Air Life.

A gifted teacher, Nellie shared with thousands of students a love of learning. One of her proudest possessions was a quilt made by a class in Sisters Elementary School in honor of her teaching for 50 years.

About six years ago Nellie published a book, "Thank you Daddy, for Ratty," about the time, when Nellie was six, when her father gave her a horse. The tale also captured the hard but rewarding life on a homestead near the John Day River.

In typical Nellie fashion, she said of writing the book, "It did me good to do it."

Through COCC, Nellie led field trips to many of the historic homesteads and the John Day Fossil beds, never accepting payment for any of her work. Her "Days Gone By" program through COCC was called "one of the most popular classes in the history of Sisters Community Education."

When Nellie turned 80, a surprise birthday party at the Sisters library packed the place with admirers. True to character, even before the party was over Nellie was fretting about how to thank everyone for coming.

Nellie was one of those people who never took credit for anything she did, while doing more than nearly anyone else. Her contributions made Sisters a better place to live.

But the true blessings belong to those who had a chance to know her.

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