Obituary: Hoppe, Arlene B.
Age 89
(Schuster)
A lifetime resident of Spokane, Arlene passed away on April 4, 2012 at Moran Vista Senior Living Center at the age of 89.
Born to William and Marjorie Schuster on March 19, 1923, Arlene was the eldest of three sisters.
She grew up with a love of family and was blessed with a gift for music.
Arlene became a well-known pianist at her home church, Knox Presbyterian as well as social gatherings around town.
Family functions were not complete until Arlene sat at the piano leading a sing along that got everyone joining in.
That tradition carried throughout her life and taught us all the importance of family traditions.
At her church youth group, Christian Endeavor, Arlene met Jack Hoppe.
In 1944, Jack and Arlene were married for ten days before he was sent overseas for two years during WWII.
Arlene spent her days finishing her nursing degree and was a proud member of the Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing Class of 1945.
When Jack returned from the war they settled down in Spokane and began a life together that lasted 68 years.
They raised two children in their home on the South Hill, enjoyed membership at Manito Presbyterian Church and more recently at Hamblen Park Presbyterian Church.
Over the years they hosted countless family picnics and holiday gatherings at their home.
Her family remembers hot summer evenings when the door was open and the sound of Arlene playing her favorite songs on the piano would entertain the neighborhood.
Arlene’s career as a Registered Nurse included work at Deaconess Hospital and in doctor’s offices.
She found great joy working with elderly patients as head nurse at Spokane Convalescent Center until her retirement in 1977.
Arlene was a member of the Washington State Nurses Association and the Deaconess Hospital Auxiliary.
Grandchildren were the light of Arlene’s life and she became lovingly known to all six of them as Grandma Oh Dear.
Over the years Arlene took pride in the knitted afghans she made for each of her grandchildren.
They each remember her birthday phone calls as she sang “Happy Birthday” and retold the story of their “birth” day.
Arlene is survived by her husband Jack; her son Jim (Sally) Hoppe and daughter Cheryl (Gale) Allen; her sisters Loraine Ashley and Janet (Art) Pagnotta; her grandchildren Tom (Heather) Hoppe, Ann Marie (Joe) Turner, Erin (Dan) Dunlop, Craig (Lisa) Allen, Suzanne (Ryan) Mulvey, and Tricia (Adam) Stombaugh; and her great-grandchildren, Julianna, Dawson, Grace, Griffin, Derek, Sophie, Mia, Devyn, Camden, and Jack.
Memorial services will be held at Hamblen Park Presbyterian Church on April 19, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution may be made to Hamblen Park Presbyterian Church, 4102 South Crestline, Spokane, WA, 99203.