THE current Ella Olesen scholar from the Isle of Man has proposed a tree should be planted in memory of 'Granny Idaho' who died yesterday at the age of 85.

Katie Taylor, of Ramsey, has paid tribute to Phyllis leTourneau who, from 1984 to 2009, provided - along with her husband Duane - a place for generations of Ella Olesen scholars to stay for their first first days of their year at the University of Idaho. 

The couple were affectionately known as 'Granny and Grandpa Idaho'.

While Katie did not stay with the couple she did present them with an illuminated address to thank them for the couple's unstinting hospitality to Manx students over the years.

They were former neighbours of Ella Olesen who was of Manx descent and after whom the annual scholarship to the University of Idaho is named.

Katie said: "I have spoken to Glen Kaufman of the international friendship association here at the university who helped arrange the thank you we had in August and I have asked if we could plant a tree in the arboretum in memory of Phyllis who was such a wonderful woman.

"It will provide a place for members of the community to pay their respects to Phyllis whilst it also provides a place for the past, present and future Manx girls to go and pay respects to and share their memories of their time together.

"Although I may not have had the chance to stay with Granny and Grandpa Idaho they were still a fantastic support network to me and I along with the rest of the Manx girls am deeply saddened by the loss of Phyllis and my thoughts are with their family at this time."

Also see: Woman who helped generations of Manx students dies