Fern S. (Steward) Milano Negri Obituary (1942 - 2019)

Fern S. Milano Negri, 96, of Baker City died July 30, 2019, at Memory Lane in Baker City. A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, August 3rd from 3:30 until 4:00 PM at Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel. Following the service, a reception will be held at the LDS Church Outdoor Pavilion. Interment will take place on Thursday, August 8th at 11:00 AM at the Lake City Cemetery in Lake City, California. Fern S. Milano Nergi is the daughter of Bide Steward and Winnie Toney Steward. She was born at the Robinson ranch house near the town of Adele in Warner Valley, Lake, Oregon. Her young parents were managing the Robinson ranch at that time. At the age of five Fern moved with her family to their newly acquired ranch in Surprise Valley; the place where both of her parents' families resided. Fern attended grade school at Goose Creek, a one-room, rock schoolhouse just a few miles down the road from their home. Fern often told of reading every book in the school and her and her cousin Vivian then reading the dictionary. It was here that she advanced two years in one year. Her high school years started at Surprise Valley High in Cedarville, then for her senior year, she transferred to Canyonville Bible Academy where she graduated at the age of 16. After graduation, Fern traveled to Sacramento, California to attend Heald's Business College and worked as a private secretary to the manager of El Rancho Hotel. It was at this time she met Maurice Wescott. They married on 7 June 1942. She, like so many young girls of this era, sent their husband's off to war. During WWII, Fern lived with the Wescott family in Sacramento. When Maurice returned home, they left Sacramento and returned to Surprise Valley and ranched with her parents for about 20 years. They divorced in 1968. In 1964, Fern started a 40-year successful career in real estate in the Sacramento area. She was consistently one of the top ten salespeople and won many awards for her work. Fern also was involved as a consultant for the Miss California pageant for several years. At this time she met and married Henry R. Milano. Fern and Henry were married for 26 years until his death in 1998. During these years, she and Henry were able to travel extensively. She loved talking about her time in Greece and the Holy Land. Fern and Henry enjoyed playing golf and played it competitively. They even played with Bob Hope and Clint Eastwood. She also enjoyed cooking, especially Italian foods. In 2002, Fern married David Negri, also of Sacramento. Soon after their marriage, they moved to Weiser, Idaho to be closer to her family. They resided there until David's death in 2011. Fern then lived with her son Mark and his wife, Linda for a time, then with her daughter Maure and Larry Albert until her health conditions made it necessary that she lived in the Beehive House. She is survived by her son Mark Wescott and his wife Linda, and their children, and her daughter Maure Albert and her husband Larry Albert and their children. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society through Coles Tribute Center, 1950 Place Street, Baker City, Oregon 97814.