Elinor “Elly” Louise Cerqui Loftin, age 87, of Fife, WA, passed away peacefully in Puyallup, WA, on April 24, 2026. Elly was born on January 1, 1939 to John Cerqui and Audrey (Canfield) Cerqui at Seattle General Hospital in Seattle, WA. She was raised on a family farm in Redmond, WA, alongside her brother Jim Cerqui and her beloved grandparents, Lorenzo and Rosa (Salina) Cerqui.

She attended elementary school in Redmond and later Lake Washington High School in Kirkland, finishing her high school years at Auburn Academy, where she graduated in 1957.

In 1958, Elly met Don Jirak on a blind date while he was stationed with the Army in Jaunita, WA, they married and built a life together on a farm in northeast Iowa. From this union, six children were born: Stan, Bill, Gina, Sandy, Mona, and Gary.

Later in life, Elly returned to the Pacific Northwest, where she met and married Burtis “Tex” Loftin. The couple eventually made their home in Arizona which held a special place in her heart. During her years there, Elly pursued one of her greatest passions “Gold prospecting in the mountains of Arizona” forming everlasting friendships/memories that have lasted a lifetime.

In recent years Elly returned to Washington State, where she found her greatest joy in spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Her family was the center of her world. She is survived by her children: Stan (Kathy) Jirak of Monroe, Bill Jirak of Electric City, Gina Jirak of Puyallup, Sandy Jirak of Fall City, Mona (Bob Moffitt) Jirak of Puyallup, and Gary Jirak of Douglas, AZ, and her longtime companion Robert Brindle of Fife.

Her grandchildren: Janelle (Scott Sorensen) Jirak, Joe Jirak, Matthew Fisher, Clayton (Monica) Jirak, Victoria Jirak, Darci (Jordan Chambers), Natasha (Jeremy Hemmer), and Jacob (Morgan) Moffitt;
Her great-grandchildren: Tamaara, Andrew, Ethan, Rylan, Nash, Otto, Drue and baby boy Hemmer arriving soon, and many extended family members and dear friends.

Elly was preceded in death by her grandparents, Lorenzo and Rosa (Salina) Cerqui; her parents, John Cerqui, Audrey Renfro, Alfred Renfro, her brother Jim Cerqui and her niece Shannon Cerqui her nephew, Jeff Porter and Husbands Donald Jirak and Burtis “Tex” Loftin.

Elly will be remembered for her strength, adventurous spirit, and deep love for her family. She will be dearly missed and forever held in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

A private family viewing will be held at Sumner Voiles Funeral Chapel in Sumner WA on Saturday, May 2nd.

All condolences/memorials may be sent to Sumner Voiles Funeral Chapel 15124 Main St E, Sumner, WA 98390.

A Celebration of Life for Elly will be held later.