Sophie J. Ketola

Sophie J. KETOLA Sophie Jennie (Honeychurch) Ketola was born March 7, 1911 and died peacefully in her bed on February 22, 2011. Sophie was born in Butte, Montana to Steve and Elizabeth (Sikonia) Stayer. She married William Honeychurch in 1927 with whom she had two children, Pearl and Shirley. In 1942 the family moved to Seattle to find work during the Great Depression. Sophie first worked at the Todd Shipyard, then after the war she took a job at an A&P supermarket where she advanced to the position of 'butcherette'. Later she was hired by the King County Public Library where she worked until she retired. After Bill passed away, Sophie married Matt Ketola and moved to Portland, Oregon where she lived for over 25 years. Then after Matt passed away, Sophie bought a little house in Olympia where she lived happily for many years until she moved back to Seattle to be near her family. In her final years, Sophie was lovingly cared for by Luaipouomalo and Liu Jennings in their adult care home. Sophie was a wonderful cook who baked delicious Cornish pasties, cookies and fruit pies. She enjoyed sewing and made many dresses for her granddaughters and friends. Sophie collected knickknacks and loved telling stories about the hundreds that she owned, remembering who bought them and where they were from. She cleaned her house thoroughly with cleanser and bleach, hung her clothes in the sun to dry and reused everything that could be reused. She loved working outside in her garden, caring for her beautiful miniature roses and insisting on mowing her lawn even into her 80s. She enjoyed pets and made her great-granddaughter laugh when she put funny bows in the shih tzu's hair. Despite many hardships, Sophie was always optimistic and cheerful. She was a strong, self sufficient, beautiful and kind woman who helped both family and neighbors whenever she could. She is missed greatly by all who knew and loved her. Sophie is survived by her daughter, Pearl Rogers, her grandchildren, Robert Rogers and Susette McCann, great-grandchildren, Liam McCann, Crystal Rogers, Megan Rogers and Ryan Rogers and great-great-grandchildren, Ashley McCann, Emma McCann and Ryan McCann. Sophie was the oldest member of the White Center Assembly of God. Pastor Dan Magalei will deliver the memorial service. The funeral will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery on March 5, 2011 at 1:00 pm.