Wanda ‘Jean’ Sopher, age 87, of Deming, passed away on February 8, 2017.
Jean was born on September 2, 1929 to Hayden “Slim” and Bernice Brown in Bellingham, Washington. She grew up in Deming, attending the Belfair and Welcome Schools.
She married Lawrence Sopher in 1946 and they made their first home at Barnaby Slough, near Rockport, Washington. They built their home at Rocky Creek in Rockport. Jean enjoyed cooking and crocheting, but loved music and dancing. She held a variety of miscellaneous jobs in the Rockport area.
Jean is survived by her daughter, Dianne Evon Robertson, of Rockport; grandchildren, Cheri Ogle and her husband, Doug, of Concrete, Brad Sopher and family, and Todd Sopher’s and family all of Albuquerque, NM, and John Sopher and family; daughters-in-law, Sandy Sopher, Beth Sopher; sister, Violet “Vi” Nieland, of Bay Center, WA; caregiver and “third son,” William “Bill” Filbert, of Deming; caregiver Norma Barnes and her husband, Paul; great-granddaughter, Emily Holt and her husband, Cody; great-great-grandson, Liam Ray Holt; many nieces and nephews.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence, Sr.; http://www.achaten-suisse.com/ sons, Lawrence, Jr., and Lonnie; one brother; three sisters; grandson, Todd Sopher; two nieces; Uncle Willie; nephew, Benny Filbert.
A Graveside Inurnment Service will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, February 24, 2017, at Forest Park Cemetery, Concrete. Cremation arrangements are under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
Hello. I am a volunteer firefighter in Jean’s neighborhood and one of the folks who responded to her home in recent weeks. I learned from speaking with her that she at one time staffed Desolation Peak Lookout in the North Cascades. I was lucky enough to staff that lookout with the National Park Service last summer (I took her some photos of it now–little changed) and I will be returning this year. I told Jean it would be great if she had any photos, and she thought she did, of her time at any of the old lookouts, if I could get copies–the Park Service is very dedicated to historical preservation and would treasure anything you could pass along to them. And I would be honored to post Jean’s name up at the lookout as a past resident and guardian there. Please let me know if you come across anything. It was a tremendous pleasure to meet Jean and get to know her even for just a little while. I know you will sorely miss her. Jim Henterly