Frieda Sondland

1921 - 2016

Frieda Sondland

1921 ~ 2016

Frieda Sondland passed away the morning of March 24, 2016 in her home at The Summit, which was her wish. She was born in Berlin on June 3, 1921, to Herman and Lina Piepsch. Frieda leaves behind her loving children, Lucy Pruzan (Herb) and Gordon Sondland (Katy Durant), five grandchildren, Adam, Alan (Juliet) and Aaron (Tamsen) Pruzan and Max and Lucy Sondland and four great grandchildren, Eli, Noah, Nate and Neve Pruzan. She was pre-deceased by her beloved husband, Gunther.

Frieda lived her life with enthusiasm and charm despite its many trials. She married Gunther Sondland in 1938 just before their families were forced to leave Nazi Germany as the Holocaust began. Frieda and her parents and siblings were able to flee to Uruguay where her daughter was born and where she established a career as a talented dressmaker. Her husband, Gunther, was not able to join her until 1947. In 1953 the family moved to Seattle where Gunther's family had settled after World War II. In Seattle Frieda and Gunther operated Fauntleroy Cleaners where Frieda continued to serve grateful clients with her dressmaking skills. Their customers became lifetime friends. She and Gunther enjoyed travel, musical events and their grandchildren and friends. After residing in Seattle and Mercer Island she lived the past 12 years at The Summit at First Hill. One of the highlights of the past few years was the opportunity she was given to curate an art show of "Frieda's Favorites" from the Frye Collection, a museum she had visited almost daily for many years. Frieda also leaves behind her sister, Cilly Kaminoff, of Seattle, and brother, Beno Piepsch, Montevideo, Uruguay.

Her family is extremely grateful to her loving caregivers Martha Bishop, Cindy Sheehan, Mary Topness and Sharon Woods. We also want to extend a huge thank-you to the incredibly supportive hospice team from Group Health, led by Frieda's nurse Wendy Bensussen, and the wonderful staff of the Summit at First Hill. They all made her last years pleasant, comfortable and full of life.

Services are scheduled for 2PM Sunday, March 27, at Arthur Wright Mortuary, 520 W. Raye St., Seattle. Remembrances to Temple De Hirsch Sinai, Jewish Family Services or Stroum Jewish Community Center would be appreciated.