Emma ALBI (03/25/1916 - 01/07/2015)
ALBI, Emma Emma delighted her parents, Harry Lee and Florence Barnum, when she was born in the spring, March 25, 1916, in Ironton, Michigan on Breezy Point Farm. Sadly, we now share the news of her peaceful passing at home on January 7, 2015 at the remarkable age of 98. Our Mom grew up in Lake City, Michigan where, until just recently, she could mentally stroll up and down the streets, recalling the names of every family. She graduated from high school in 1935, then attended her father's alma mater, Michigan State College (University), graduating in Fine Arts in 1939. She taught art and coached basketball after college and then worked in Chicago as a security guard for Douglas Aircraft when WWII had called the men away. Home on semester break from college one Fourth of July, she watched two grown men launching tin cans skyward with firecrackers. Later telling this story, she would always note the word "idiots" came to mind. Introduced several days later, one man turned out to be the new town doctor, the other his "dark and handsome" kid brother - our future father - visiting on his own break from medical school in Chicago. She married Robert J. Albi November 28, 1942. Three daughters later, our family was complete. Our Father's longing for his large, West Coast family persuaded Mom to leave her beloved Michigan. In 1954, after two years in Ephrata, we settled in Spokane in the very same home that remains the family base to this day. Mom rolled up her sleeves and began to carve out the caring, love-filled life she created for herself, her family and her friends. Emma was a combination of gregarious spirit and independent homebody who used all of her talents to serve those she loved. Her girls, her friends and the community at large benefited from her mastery of the sewing machine; from prom dresses in the dozens for her daughters to costumes in the hundreds for Holy Names Academy A Christmas Carol(s) to Gonzaga University musicals or Civic Theatre productions. Many, many friends and family have paintings that she produced over a lifetime of spending cherished time with art buddies; possibly more for the friendships than the art. She served for years with another group of friends, the Medical Auxiliary, volunteering hours to projects and enjoying the camaraderie of luncheons and events. She loved hats and shoes, rides in the country with her husband - she never possessed a driver's license - and anything Michigan. After our Dad died in 1992, Mom's life became a bit smaller but she still traveled to see far-flung family, played weekly mahjong with "the girls" and nothing was better than a long conversation on the phone. She painted well into her 80s until her eyesight finally dimmed. She said that getting old wasn't really so bad - she was absolutely amazed by her own longevity - but she didn't like being last and having to say goodbye to everyone first. No words can adequately express the thanks we feel for Mom's "angels in scrubs": Dragica Vrbanjac and the Family First caregivers Denise, Tara, Sooki, Angela and Barbara; we could not have had better, more loving care for our mother. Thanks, too, to Hospice of Spokane for easing our way in Mom's last days. Emma was preceded in death by her husband Robert Albi, her parents Harry Lee and Florence Barnum and her brother Robert A. Barnum. She is survived by her three daughters, Margaret Verhoef (Doug) and Catherine Corcoran (Jim, deceased) of Spokane and Sarah Albi (Christy Jones) of Seattle; three grandchildren, Joseph and Kevin Corcoran and Gretchen Verhoef Wanzenried (Paul) all of Spokane; one great-granddaughter, Rosie Wanzenried; and numerous nieces and nephews. A Vigil for Emma will be held Friday, January 16, 7pm, at St. Augustine Catholic Parish, 428 W. 19th Ave., Spokane. A Funeral Mass will be held there on Saturday, January 17, 10am, with a reception in the Parish hall. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to or to one of Emma's: Sisters of the Holy Names-Retirement Fund, 2911 West Fort Wright Drive, Spokane, WA 99224 or SpokAnimal, 701 North Napa, Spokane, WA 99202.
Published in Spokesman-Review on Jan. 11, 2015
ALBI, Emma Emma delighted her parents, Harry Lee and Florence Barnum, when she was born in the spring, March 25, 1916, in Ironton, Michigan on Breezy Point Farm. Sadly, we now share the news of her peaceful passing at home on January 7, 2015 at the remarkable age of 98. Our Mom grew up in Lake City, Michigan where, until just recently, she could mentally stroll up and down the streets, recalling the names of every family. She graduated from high school in 1935, then attended her father's alma mater, Michigan State College (University), graduating in Fine Arts in 1939. She taught art and coached basketball after college and then worked in Chicago as a security guard for Douglas Aircraft when WWII had called the men away. Home on semester break from college one Fourth of July, she watched two grown men launching tin cans skyward with firecrackers. Later telling this story, she would always note the word "idiots" came to mind. Introduced several days later, one man turned out to be the new town doctor, the other his "dark and handsome" kid brother - our future father - visiting on his own break from medical school in Chicago. She married Robert J. Albi November 28, 1942. Three daughters later, our family was complete. Our Father's longing for his large, West Coast family persuaded Mom to leave her beloved Michigan. In 1954, after two years in Ephrata, we settled in Spokane in the very same home that remains the family base to this day. Mom rolled up her sleeves and began to carve out the caring, love-filled life she created for herself, her family and her friends. Emma was a combination of gregarious spirit and independent homebody who used all of her talents to serve those she loved. Her girls, her friends and the community at large benefited from her mastery of the sewing machine; from prom dresses in the dozens for her daughters to costumes in the hundreds for Holy Names Academy A Christmas Carol(s) to Gonzaga University musicals or Civic Theatre productions. Many, many friends and family have paintings that she produced over a lifetime of spending cherished time with art buddies; possibly more for the friendships than the art. She served for years with another group of friends, the Medical Auxiliary, volunteering hours to projects and enjoying the camaraderie of luncheons and events. She loved hats and shoes, rides in the country with her husband - she never possessed a driver's license - and anything Michigan. After our Dad died in 1992, Mom's life became a bit smaller but she still traveled to see far-flung family, played weekly mahjong with "the girls" and nothing was better than a long conversation on the phone. She painted well into her 80s until her eyesight finally dimmed. She said that getting old wasn't really so bad - she was absolutely amazed by her own longevity - but she didn't like being last and having to say goodbye to everyone first. No words can adequately express the thanks we feel for Mom's "angels in scrubs": Dragica Vrbanjac and the Family First caregivers Denise, Tara, Sooki, Angela and Barbara; we could not have had better, more loving care for our mother. Thanks, too, to Hospice of Spokane for easing our way in Mom's last days. Emma was preceded in death by her husband Robert Albi, her parents Harry Lee and Florence Barnum and her brother Robert A. Barnum. She is survived by her three daughters, Margaret Verhoef (Doug) and Catherine Corcoran (Jim, deceased) of Spokane and Sarah Albi (Christy Jones) of Seattle; three grandchildren, Joseph and Kevin Corcoran and Gretchen Verhoef Wanzenried (Paul) all of Spokane; one great-granddaughter, Rosie Wanzenried; and numerous nieces and nephews. A Vigil for Emma will be held Friday, January 16, 7pm, at St. Augustine Catholic Parish, 428 W. 19th Ave., Spokane. A Funeral Mass will be held there on Saturday, January 17, 10am, with a reception in the Parish hall. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to or to one of Emma's: Sisters of the Holy Names-Retirement Fund, 2911 West Fort Wright Drive, Spokane, WA 99224 or SpokAnimal, 701 North Napa, Spokane, WA 99202.
Published in Spokesman-Review on Jan. 11, 2015
Emma ALBI (03/25/1916 - 01/07/2015)
ALBI, Emma Emma delighted her parents, Harry Lee and Florence Barnum, when she was born in the spring, March 25, 1916, in Ironton, Michigan on Breezy Point Farm. Sadly, we now share the news of her peaceful passing at home on January 7, 2015 at the remarkable age of 98. Our Mom grew up in Lake City, Michigan where, until just recently, she could mentally stroll up and down the streets, recalling the names of every family. She graduated from high school in 1935, then attended her father's alma mater, Michigan State College (University), graduating in Fine Arts in 1939. She taught art and coached basketball after college and then worked in Chicago as a security guard for Douglas Aircraft when WWII had called the men away. Home on semester break from college one Fourth of July, she watched two grown men launching tin cans skyward with firecrackers. Later telling this story, she would always note the word "idiots" came to mind. Introduced several days later, one man turned out to be the new town doctor, the other his "dark and handsome" kid brother - our future father - visiting on his own break from medical school in Chicago. She married Robert J. Albi November 28, 1942. Three daughters later, our family was complete. Our Father's longing for his large, West Coast family persuaded Mom to leave her beloved Michigan. In 1954, after two years in Ephrata, we settled in Spokane in the very same home that remains the family base to this day. Mom rolled up her sleeves and began to carve out the caring, love-filled life she created for herself, her family and her friends. Emma was a combination of gregarious spirit and independent homebody who used all of her talents to serve those she loved. Her girls, her friends and the community at large benefited from her mastery of the sewing machine; from prom dresses in the dozens for her daughters to costumes in the hundreds for Holy Names Academy A Christmas Carol(s) to Gonzaga University musicals or Civic Theatre productions. Many, many friends and family have paintings that she produced over a lifetime of spending cherished time with art buddies; possibly more for the friendships than the art. She served for years with another group of friends, the Medical Auxiliary, volunteering hours to projects and enjoying the camaraderie of luncheons and events. She loved hats and shoes, rides in the country with her husband - she never possessed a driver's license - and anything Michigan. After our Dad died in 1992, Mom's life became a bit smaller but she still traveled to see far-flung family, played weekly mahjong with "the girls" and nothing was better than a long conversation on the phone. She painted well into her 80s until her eyesight finally dimmed. She said that getting old wasn't really so bad - she was absolutely amazed by her own longevity - but she didn't like being last and having to say goodbye to everyone first. No words can adequately express the thanks we feel for Mom's "angels in scrubs": Dragica Vrbanjac and the Family First caregivers Denise, Tara, Sooki, Angela and Barbara; we could not have had better, more loving care for our mother. Thanks, too, to Hospice of Spokane for easing our way in Mom's last days. Emma was preceded in death by her husband Robert Albi, her parents Harry Lee and Florence Barnum and her brother Robert A. Barnum. She is survived by her three daughters, Margaret Verhoef (Doug) and Catherine Corcoran (Jim, deceased) of Spokane and Sarah Albi (Christy Jones) of Seattle; three grandchildren, Joseph and Kevin Corcoran and Gretchen Verhoef Wanzenried (Paul) all of Spokane; one great-granddaughter, Rosie Wanzenried; and numerous nieces and nephews. A Vigil for Emma will be held Friday, January 16, 7pm, at St. Augustine Catholic Parish, 428 W. 19th Ave., Spokane. A Funeral Mass will be held there on Saturday, January 17, 10am, with a reception in the Parish hall. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to or to one of Emma's: Sisters of the Holy Names-Retirement Fund, 2911 West Fort Wright Drive, Spokane, WA 99224 or SpokAnimal, 701 North Napa, Spokane, WA 99202.
Published in Spokesman-Review on Jan. 11, 2015
ALBI, Emma Emma delighted her parents, Harry Lee and Florence Barnum, when she was born in the spring, March 25, 1916, in Ironton, Michigan on Breezy Point Farm. Sadly, we now share the news of her peaceful passing at home on January 7, 2015 at the remarkable age of 98. Our Mom grew up in Lake City, Michigan where, until just recently, she could mentally stroll up and down the streets, recalling the names of every family. She graduated from high school in 1935, then attended her father's alma mater, Michigan State College (University), graduating in Fine Arts in 1939. She taught art and coached basketball after college and then worked in Chicago as a security guard for Douglas Aircraft when WWII had called the men away. Home on semester break from college one Fourth of July, she watched two grown men launching tin cans skyward with firecrackers. Later telling this story, she would always note the word "idiots" came to mind. Introduced several days later, one man turned out to be the new town doctor, the other his "dark and handsome" kid brother - our future father - visiting on his own break from medical school in Chicago. She married Robert J. Albi November 28, 1942. Three daughters later, our family was complete. Our Father's longing for his large, West Coast family persuaded Mom to leave her beloved Michigan. In 1954, after two years in Ephrata, we settled in Spokane in the very same home that remains the family base to this day. Mom rolled up her sleeves and began to carve out the caring, love-filled life she created for herself, her family and her friends. Emma was a combination of gregarious spirit and independent homebody who used all of her talents to serve those she loved. Her girls, her friends and the community at large benefited from her mastery of the sewing machine; from prom dresses in the dozens for her daughters to costumes in the hundreds for Holy Names Academy A Christmas Carol(s) to Gonzaga University musicals or Civic Theatre productions. Many, many friends and family have paintings that she produced over a lifetime of spending cherished time with art buddies; possibly more for the friendships than the art. She served for years with another group of friends, the Medical Auxiliary, volunteering hours to projects and enjoying the camaraderie of luncheons and events. She loved hats and shoes, rides in the country with her husband - she never possessed a driver's license - and anything Michigan. After our Dad died in 1992, Mom's life became a bit smaller but she still traveled to see far-flung family, played weekly mahjong with "the girls" and nothing was better than a long conversation on the phone. She painted well into her 80s until her eyesight finally dimmed. She said that getting old wasn't really so bad - she was absolutely amazed by her own longevity - but she didn't like being last and having to say goodbye to everyone first. No words can adequately express the thanks we feel for Mom's "angels in scrubs": Dragica Vrbanjac and the Family First caregivers Denise, Tara, Sooki, Angela and Barbara; we could not have had better, more loving care for our mother. Thanks, too, to Hospice of Spokane for easing our way in Mom's last days. Emma was preceded in death by her husband Robert Albi, her parents Harry Lee and Florence Barnum and her brother Robert A. Barnum. She is survived by her three daughters, Margaret Verhoef (Doug) and Catherine Corcoran (Jim, deceased) of Spokane and Sarah Albi (Christy Jones) of Seattle; three grandchildren, Joseph and Kevin Corcoran and Gretchen Verhoef Wanzenried (Paul) all of Spokane; one great-granddaughter, Rosie Wanzenried; and numerous nieces and nephews. A Vigil for Emma will be held Friday, January 16, 7pm, at St. Augustine Catholic Parish, 428 W. 19th Ave., Spokane. A Funeral Mass will be held there on Saturday, January 17, 10am, with a reception in the Parish hall. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to or to one of Emma's: Sisters of the Holy Names-Retirement Fund, 2911 West Fort Wright Drive, Spokane, WA 99224 or SpokAnimal, 701 North Napa, Spokane, WA 99202.
Published in Spokesman-Review on Jan. 11, 2015
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