GOURLEY, Ilma Carmen Salazar

It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my mother, Ilma Carmen Salazar Gourley. She was born August 19, 1926 and died January 29, 2026, at home in ST.Louis, Missouri at peace and comfortable surrounded by love. Born in Liverpool, survived the blitz, graduated from school and went to Lincoln Teacher College, where she earned her teaching degree. Her first job was in Guernsey where she had moved, her mother and brother moving soon after to Guernsey. Ever the curious one, she secured a position as house mistress and English teacher in Buenas Aries where she taught for three years at girls private school. Returning to Guernsey, Ilma met her husband Leonard and married in January 1955. They had two children, Patrick and Sarah. She taught at. Castel Primary school till 1966, when the family moved to Vancouver, Canada. Ilma taught at Talmud Torah and finishing her tenure at McGee High. During these years she earned her masters degree in Education, with a dissertation shy of her doctorate. On retirement, another big move to California, where she earned her real estate license at 72. After 11 years of life in California she moved to Point Robert's, Washington where lived until 95, where she moved to live with her grandson Bevan Gourley, and His wife Cheyenne Gourley. A traveler by nature, Ilma was always looking for the next place, some weeks ago she asked "what is going to happen to me?" I asked if she felt safe, comfortable, and loved, and she answered yes. We said goodbye and she squeezed our hands and traveled on. Well it has happened and as passing's go, none better. Ilma is survived by her children Patrick and Sarah, her grandchildren Bevan and Charlotte, her grandchildren, Mason, Laney, Kash and Isla and her very best friend, Cheyenne. Goodbye, Ilma Athlete, Mother, Gardener, lover of animals, teacher, friend. We will miss her humour most of all. I love you with all my heart. Thank you, Patrick Gourley.

First published in the Guernsey Press on 04/03/2026.