Ella Cordelia ‘Cordy’ Moritz 1926-2020

Ella Cordelia ‘Cordy’ Moritz, 93, of Centralia, Wash., passed away Friday, July 24, 2020, at Providence Centralia Hospital. Cordy was born December 10, 1926, to James and Gladys (Greene) Arnold in Cameron, Mo. She grew up on the family farm in Cameron and graduated from Cameron High School. She continued her education at Central College, now Central Methodist University, earning her BA degree in Education with an emphasis in Mathematics. She eventually went on to earn her Master’s degree from the University of Illinois. 

Cordy married Floyd Moritz in Salem, Oregon, in 1963. They celebrated 48 years of marriage before his death in 2011. Cordy was a long-time member of Eastern Star, and was a member of Rochester United Methodist Church, where she is fondly remembered as serving for many years as treasurer. 

Cordy’s teaching career spanned many generations, parts of the country, and levels of instruction. Starting at Higginsville, Mo., High School, and Monmouth College of Education, she moved west. A childhood trip with her parents and sister to Portland, Ore., created a love of the tall trees and greenery of the Pacific Northwest. In the early 1950’s she realized her dream of moving west to Portland, which led to her being hired as the first female high school math teacher ever employed by the Lake Oswego School District. Other teaching positions followed her marriage in cities including Coulee City, Wash.; Kettle Falls, Wash.; Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Centralia College in Centralia.

After retirement, Cordy enjoyed traveling back to Missouri to the family farm that was later designated a ‘Century Farm.’ She and her sister Ada Lee grew up on this farm doing chores, learning to become excellent cooks, and developing a love of gardening that would continue throughout their lifetime.  She loved visiting her sister; her niece, Linda Galloway; and nephew Jim Calloway and their families. They remember Cordy for her creative birthday cards that included clues to the whereabouts of gifts she had sent and were hidden by her sister. 

In 1969, Cordy and Floyd settled in Rochester, Wash. They often opened their house as a temporary residence to new teachers joining the Rochester School District. Years ago, a young family moved in next door to the couple. Cordy was quick to “adopt” the two children, Brandelle and Zach Bryant, as grandchildren, and always maintained a very special relationship with them. They loved how Cordy taught them to take care of her blueberries and all of her flowers. She also taught them to cook and took them to church on Sundays. Brandi and Zach count among their fondest memories introducing Cordy to their own children, her ‘great-grandchildren,’ Kole and Hank; watching Mariner baseball; and eating hamburgers at Bill and Bea’s in Centralia.

Cordy was preceded in death by her husband; parents; and sister, Ada Lee Calloway of Cameron. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews; special granddaughter, Brandelle Bryant, of Rochester.; and special grandson Zachary (Darcy) Bryant of Littlerock, Wash.

Her nephews Craig, Wade, and Chad Esvelt remember Cordy most for her gentle and Godly nature, and describe her as perhaps the nicest person they ever knew. Her friends and other family would all agree that this is a beautiful description of her.

A graveside gathering will be planned at a later date at Waterville Cemetery in Waterville, Wash., where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband.

In lieu of flowers, Cordy’s family asks that donations be sent to Rochester United Methodist Church in Rochester, for landscaping and flowers she loved so much.