Nellie Sudar Vasicko Eterno

Nellie Sudar Vasicko Eterno

April 2, 1927-Oct. 22, 2023

VANCOUVER - Nellie Eterno, 96, passed away Oct. 22, 2023, with family at her side at her adult family home.

She was born at home, in Stella, WA, on April 2, 1927, to Jacob and Rosa Sudar. She graduated from R.A. Long High School in Longview, WA. During WWII, Nellie and one of her cousins were lookouts for enemy aircraft near her parents' home. She worked at Long Bell Lumber Company where she met her first husband. Joseph Vasicko. In 1947, they married and together has four children.

In 1986, she married Ed Eterno of Vancouver, WA. They were happily married until his death in 2010. Ed provided another family to love. He also encouraged her to take up golf. One of her proudest moments was her hole-in-one at Green Meadows Golf Course. Nellie was loving, caring, kind, and had a gentle soul. She always made us breakfast, and during the summer, packed our lunches so we could catch the berry picking bus. She drove every other day, for five years, to feed her disabled daughter noon meal. She honored all relatives by visiting three cemeteries every year.

She was talented, a master of many things, interesting and fun. Cooking, entertaining small and large groups, sewing, knitting, crocheting, painting and decorating. She made everyone feel welcome in her home and was a frequent rearranger of her furniture. She loved music, playing the accordion and dancing. She learned to be "tech savvy" and had lots of friends on Facebook. She stayed current with politics by watching Meet the Press and Rachel Maddow.

Gardening was a passion, a love, and a joy for her. She was athletic and enjoyed board games and puzzles. She loved to travel and saw a lot of the world. Loving her home most when it was filled with people.

With all the challenges and change that dementia brings, she remained a gracious and sweet person. No matter how difficult, she would cope and accept the slow and inevitable outcome of dementia.

Loving Mom to Susan Greubel (Mark) and Nancy Mattox. Deceased children, David Vasicko and Mary Jane Jacobson. Grandma to Christine McCloud (George), Jeffrey Mattox and Thomas Fanta. Great-grandma to Brooklyn and Camden McCloud.

Nellie was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters. She embraced her many nephews and nieces and the Eterno family.

A private interment was held at Longview Memorial Park. A memorials Mass is planned for April 2, 2024, with a celebration of life to follow at St. Joseph's Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. It would have been Nellie's 97th birthday. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Dementia Society or charity or your choice.