Zilla Lee Pernoll (nee: Elder), 92, died at the Lake District Hospital on Tuesday, March 11, 2014.
She was born on the family ranch in Summer Lake on May 9, 1921. Her mother was Zilla L. Elder and her father Lester E. Elder. She attended the Ana River School and Paisley High School.
Lee met the love of her life, Martin V. Pernoll, when he visited the Lakeview Hospital as she was recovering from a fractured back suffered in an automobile accident. Martin passed away in 1997, the 58th year of their marriage. The marriage resulted in two children, Alta Lee MacMillan and Martin L. Pernoll, MD.
Lee lived nearly her entire life on the family ranch, and while active in all phases of the operation, she particularly enjoyed anything that involved being on horseback. Her spirit was that of a pioneer and she passed her stewardship and love of the land on to her descendants.
Lee was predeceased by her husband, Martin; parents; son-in-law Richard MacMillan; daughter-in-law Marcia Pernoll; older half-siblings, Alda McDowell, Sheldon Moss and Milton Moss; younger sister, Ellazan Pike (George) and nephew, Dean Moss (Dolly).
She is survived by her son Martin L. Pernoll, daughter Alta Lee MacMillan, grandchildren, Kristin Hinson, JD (Jon, MD) of Charlotte, N.C., Martin W. Pernoll (Emily Caroline) of Santa Monica, Calif., Gregg MacMillan, JD (Kimberly, JD) of San Francisco, Calif. and Scott MacMillan, JD (Shawn, JD) of Phoenix, Ariz.; great-grandchildren, Kelsey Manzano, Christopher Manzano, Elizabeth Pernoll, Gillian Lee Pernoll, Chase MacMillan, Trevor McMillan, Lani MacMillan and Zoe McMillan. The nephews and nieces she was closest to; Richard Moss (Jann) of Bend, Gerald Pike (Anna) of Lakeview, Merilee Richardson (Bob) of Lakeview, William McDowell (Maggie) of Santa Clarita, Calif. and Bonnie Schaffer (Larry) of Anchorage, Alaska.
A funeral service was held at the Summer Lake Christian Fellowship Church on Monday, March 17, 2014 followed by committal in the Summer Lake Cemetery.
Contributions in Lee’s memory may be made to Silver Lake Disaster Unit, P. O. Box 96, Silver Lake 97638 or Paisley Disaster Unit, P. O. Box 208, Paisley 97636 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Desert Rose Funeral Chapel was in charge of the arrangements.