Aloha Lay

Aloha Jane Lay – Medical Springs

“To live in the hearts of others is to never die.”  Aloha Jane (Johnston) Lay passed away at home on August 25, 2024. She will always have a special place in the hearts of her family and friends that knew her.

Aloha Jane Johnston was born in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on January 13, 1942. She was a graduate of Baker High School and met her future husband Ron Lay at a county dance in Baker City.  They were married in 1960 and enjoyed 64 years together. They lived in Baker and during that time raised a family and built a ranch while Ron worked at Safeway as a meat cutter. Aloha worked to provide a loving home for her children and a place the neighborhood kids were always welcome.

In 1982, Ron and Aloha were able to move from town into a new home in Medical Springs on the Lay Ranch they had built together.  She was very proud to tell people that they are Ranchers and that she is a Rancher’s wife. Aloha managed the bookkeeping and the household, took special care of Ron, and always made the holidays extraordinary for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  There are many fond family memories, but her infectious laughter and warm hugs were always the highlight of the occasion. Aloha loved to collect antique Christmas ornaments and would decorate three or four trees at Christmastime.  She was known to visit most estate sales, auctions and flea markets to find that next special ornament or antique treasure.

Ron and Aloha raised three children. A daughter Ronda & David Simmons, and two sons Joe & Candice Lay, and Nathan & Katie Lay.  They were blessed with 6 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren during her lifetime.  Aloha was always a strong advocate for her family and continued her strong support for Baker Bulldog Athletics.  Her passion for baseball was demonstrated by her enthusiastic support of the local teams and having Lay Ranches sponsor Little League, Babe Ruth and High School teams for her grandkids and great grandkids.

Aloha loved her family, and her family appreciated her unwavering support.  She was a strong independent woman and encouraged those traits in her grandchildren, especially the women.  She was a woman of few words unless you found a subject she was passionate about.  She was an avid reader and would read a book each day.  She was beautiful but not flashy and will be missed by all who knew her well.  Aloha loved to tend to her picturesque yard and enjoyed all wildflowers, which she would gather and place on the family gravesites in Baker each Memorial Day.

In addition to the family Aloha and Ron created, she is survived by her sister Cheryl & Linden Curtis and her brother Ben Johnston. She is preceded in death by her mother Edith Johnston, father Cecil Johnston, aunt Edna Colenbaugh, and a brother Charles “Chucko” Johnston.

The family will host a celebration of the life of Aloha Lay at the Medical Springs Fire Department September 21st from 2:00-4:00. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending donations to Joe Lay, 49965 Highway 203, Baker City, OR 97814, and he will accumulate contributions and make one donation in the name Aloha Lay to Baker Bulldog Athletics. Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com