Obituary: Molina, Sophie Padilla
Age 91
MOLINA,
Sophie Padilla
(Age 91)
Died peacefully at 6:32 pm, April 23, 2016.
She was born in Bisbee Arizona on January 5, 1925.
Having been raised predominantly by her grandmother at 18 she became a military wife to Jess Molina.
She and Jess were married for 53 years and had four children before his passing in 1994.
Seeking ways to supplement the family income, she worked in the military base mailroom, took in ironing, babysitting and other odd jobs.
She also worked in a local fish cannery packing tuna and skipjack.
Eventually, her love for children blossomed into a 33 year career as a preschool teacher with the Federation of Head Start.
Best known as Miss Sophie, she continued to maintain close contact with many of her students and parents.
At the age of 53, she completed an A.A. degree in early childhood development at the local community college.
In 2000 she left Wilmington and moved to Spokane to be near her daughter and grandchildren.
For Sophie, food equaled love and she always had a pot of beans on the stove along with homemade flour tortillas.
Known for not sitting still a minute, Sophie served her family tirelessly and sacrificially.
Suffering many physical ailments, Sophie eventually moved in with her daughter where she remained for the last three years of her life.
She developed many special relationships with caregivers over the past three years as she wiggled her way into their hearts.
Her coffee had to be “hot like lava” and her favorite shows were Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.
A special thank you to those who spent time caring for her.
Thank you also to Hospice House of Spokane who made Sophie’s final days peaceful and comfortable.
Sophie has four children, Albert (deceased), Steven, James (deceased) and Becky.
She has two daughters-in-law Candace and Vickie and two former-but-still-family daughters-in-law Karla and Diane.
She has eight grandchildren, Joseph (deceased) Danielle (Octavio), Jason (Amanda) Kristy (Eric), Riley, Olivia, Vanessa, Amelia.
There are seven great-grandchilren, Jessie, Sosha, Mahela, Samantha, Aaron, Kaia, Melia, and one great-great-grandchild, Asher.
Her memorial service will be at Lincoln Heights Congregational Church, 3527 E. 29th Ave. at 3 pm, Friday April 29, 2016.
Donations in memory of Sophie may be sent to Union Gospel Mission, P.O.
Box 4066, Spokane, WA 99202.