Obituary: Johnson Thorpe, Mildred Jean
Mildred Jean JOHNSON THORPE was born 24 January 1920 in Cheney, WA to parents Laura SCHMITT and Carl JOHNSON and died in Kirkland, WA on 6 April 2016 at the age of 96.
The oldest of five children, she grew up on the Moran Prairie and attended school in Edwall, WA.
She married Harold W. THORPE and together they lived in Edwall, WA; Bremerton, WA; Spokane, WA; Santa Barbara, CA; and Greenacres, WA.
Her first love was always her family; she raised four children and loved everything about her family, her home, and her garden.
She was organic long before it was popular, canning fruits and vegetables, she was famous for her pickles, and she made a mean potato salad that will continue to be made in her honor for years to come.
She was a great seamstress, quilter, and created beautiful needlework and crafts.
Her love of music began with the violin and she loved playing both the piano and organ.
She was devoted to the Camp Fire organization for more than 50 years, beginning as a Blue Bird leader in the 1940’s and continuing as a Camp Fire leader and council volunteer into the 1970’s and then as a Board Member for the Santa Barbara, CA Council.
Her final years were spent in Kirkland, WA where she enjoyed reading, puzzles, and an occasional dominos game.
Her devotion to family continued with the birth of 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren and she was especially close to all her cousins in Sweden.
She was preceded in death by her parents Laura and Carl, siblings, Evelyn NELSON, Katherine LAMBRIGHT, and Kenneth JOHNSON, and her husband Harold.
She will be greatly missed by her children, Del (Gail) THORPE of Mountain View, CA; Joanne (Jay) MERTZ of Corsicana, TX; Roberta (Gail) KEELING of Otis Orchards, WA; and Shelley (Tomas) CARDIEL of Kirkland, WA and all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In her honor her children would ask that you make a donation in her name to Camp Fire Inland Northwest, 524 N. Mullan Rd., #102, Spokane, WA 99206 (campfireinc.org) to be used to support their youth camp program.
The family will hold a celebration of her life at a later date in Spokane.