Friday, April 19, 2024
Thelma Kane, life long resident of Mukilteo passed away on May 9, 2019. Funeral and memorial services were held on May 20, 2019 at St. John Mission.
She was born in Mukilteo to William and Elzina Weers on July 30, 1923. Growing up in Mukilteo, she enjoyed bicycling and basketball, playing hide and seek, and roller-skating on the sidewalks with her sister and friends. Thelma had fond memories of hearing the sound of the foghorn on the lighthouse and her favorite thing was to swim in the bay when Eckie was there to supervise as lifeguard.
Thelma attended Rosehill School through 9th grade and then graduated from Everett High School in 1941. She enjoyed her teacher, Miss Enley at Rosehill and Miss Stevenson at Everett High School. Thelma and her sister Marie attended the Mukilteo Presbyterian Church with her neighbor and friend Gwen, and was a Sunday School Teacher in her teens.
After graduation, Thelma went to work for the Civil Service located at Paine Field. While working there, her boss recommended she take the Civil Service test for full-time employment in Everett.
Unexpectedly, Thelma was surprised to receive a telegram to accept employment in Washington, D.C. Thelma accepted the job offer working for the office of War Information (OSS) and was on a train a few days later heading to Washington, D.C. When the war ended, she transferred to the State Department. Thelma stayed in Washington, D.C. until 1946. That quick decision in 1941 made in haste to say yes was a good one.
That girl in bobby socks came home polished with an education in government, having been around the leaders of World War II. She made lifetime friends who she saw and cherished through all the rest of her life.
Thelma came back to Mukilteo and then on Nov. 9, 1946, her and Ron married. They had six children and enjoyed raising them in Old Town Mukilteo near family and friends.
Thelma was very involved in the community. She participated in the Mukilteo Pioneer Festival and Thelma and Ron were named Pioneers of the Year in 1997. Thelma was a Cub Scout Leader for her two oldest sons and the neighborhood boys. She also was very involved with St. John Mission tending to weekly needs of the church, joining various women’s groups, and being one of the historians for their 75th and upcoming 100th anniversary of St. Johns Mission.
Thelma also helped Ron when he was Mayor of Mukilteo and Water Commissioner, hosting events and assisting anyway she was needed. She was active in the Democratic Party, holding several caucuses at her home and served as a delegate. She volunteered as a Mukilteo Voter Registrar.
Ron and Thelma had a produce route for 13 years. They enjoyed working as a team and Thelma took care of the bookkeeping and the banking. Then they sold the produce route and purchased the A&W drive-in in Everett, Washington, where they worked side by side for the next 17 years.
Thelma enjoyed getting to know all the kids they employed and seeing members of the community on a regular basis. When Thelma and Ron retired, they took road trips around the United States and were able to make a couple of trips to see relatives in Ireland. Thelma was so good at staying connected with friends and family all over the world.
In later years, Thelma joined the Mukilteo Historical Society. She enjoyed helping at the gift shop, sharing her knowledge of Mukilteo, cataloging items, and loaning the Mukilteo Lighthouse Museum many of her family heirlooms.
When at home, she enjoyed doing puzzles, playing cards, and baking with her grandchildren. She looked forward to watching the Mukilteo ferry come in and the Navy ships go by out her window. She loved to wave to the sailors welcoming them home from duty. She was an avid bird watcher, loved seeing wild life and was passionate about the protection of wolves. She gave to lots of charities that were close to her heart such as St. Vincent De Paul, Everett Gospel Mission, and the World War II Museum. She loved all her family very much and enjoyed spending time with each one of them. She also enjoyed her beloved dog Rags who brought her much joy.
She was preceded in death by her husband Ronald Kane; her parents William and Elzina Weers; her sister Marie Weers Ruschner; and her sons Patrick Kane and Richard Kane.
She is survived by four children: Ann Almli (Cameron) of Mukilteo; Jannelle Spaller (Alex) of ClearLake; Michael Kane (Cheryl) of Mukilteo; Cheryl Wright (Bob) of Everett; daughter-in-law Linda Seanoa (Malaki Sr.) of Everett. She also leaves 17 grandchildren: Ryan Almli, Jennifer Daily, Cole Almli, Heather Kane, Tricia Kane-Yi, Patricia Kane, Oliana Sweet, Malaki Seanoa II, Alisia Belter, Aaron King, Chennelle Spaller, Amie Wall, Josh Kane, Olivia Woods, Lydia Kane, Matt Wright and Brandon Wright. Also,19 great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Thelma led a full life in Mukilteo. Mukilteo was family, history, community and most of all home to Thelma. She spent her life giving to her family, friends and the community anyway she could. She was very loving, kind and giving and she will be greatly missed.
