Obituary: Alene Thille

Alene married Howard Thille in August 1976. She worked as a hairdresser at Joan’s Beauty Salon on Third Street in The Dalles until her retirement.

Alene was an animal lover. Early in her life, she concentrated mostly on dogs named Yummy, Honey, Babydoll and Princess. In her later years, she became a cat rescuer to felines named Andy, Spooky, Trixie and, most recently, Elizabeth Taylor. If anyone wanted to come back to life as a cat, Alene’s house would be the place you would want to live.

She was fortunate to have traveled to Ireland, England and Scotland, but her favorite place to travel was the Oregon Coast, which she ran to whenever the occasion arrived. She was a terrible card player, but played weekly with her friends, because they had good desserts. She was an “Aunt” to the children and grandchildren of her friends, always remembering them on birthdays.

She was a devoted wife and may have even put husband, Howard, above her love of Elizabeth Taylor. She would rarely travel across town without calling to check on him.

Alene is survived by her husband, Howard; stepson and “daughter,” Mike and Tracy Thille; sister, Connie Marie; her nephew, Jason, and nieces, Melissa and Stephanie. Alene always wanted to adopt their nephew, Leigh Kluthe, but he was too old to be adopted and already had parents.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Millie, and the aforementioned dogs and cats, and one fish named Fred.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 20 at 11 a.m. at Sorosis Park, The Dalles. Bring a chair; cake and coffee provided.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Home At Last Animal Shelter, 200 River Road, The Dalles, OR 97058.