Evelyn Genevieve Sinkula

Obituary Evelyn Sinkula Born Genevieve Evelyn Nelson in Yakima, Washington on April 7, 1922 and passed away on June 29, 2014. Evelyn was raised on a farm in Bismarck, North Dakota with her half siblings, Edna, Florence, Madge and Bud Moynier. They lived with their grandparents Philom&egravene and Auguste Boyer who had immigrated from St. Bonet, France in 1882. The family raised their own food, preserved it for the cold winters, hauled water from the creek to the house, raised chickens for eggs, cooked meals on the wood burning stove, and generally were self sufficient. Grandma Boyer was the area's midwife, nurse, herbalist, and mortician! Evelyn graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1940. She met John Anton Sinkula while roller skating at age 19. He was a handsome guy from Mandan 11 years her senior. They married on July 7, 1941 and moved to Tacoma. John was a welder exempt from the draft as long as he used his skills in the war effort. He worked as a WAYS foreman where he and his crews repaired damaged ships. Most moms stayed at home in those days and Evelyn did just that. John Jr. was born the first year of marriage and Tom arrived 13 months later. Having her hands full, Grandma Josephine Nelson was always about to help with the two rascals. They purchased their first house in Fircrest and lived there a couple of years. After the war, Dad found employment in Olympia at Western Metalcraft and they moved their family to a house with five acres near Tumwater. It was pretty small so Dad added on a large living room and a bedroom for the boys. Marilyn came along in 1950 as the two boys started grade school. Another job and a move to Tacoma were in the works a few years later. They rented a house on 56th Street by the library for a short time. A new home just being built and near completion was purchased at 64th and I Street. They settled their now family of four kids when Sharon was 3 months old in July of 1955 at this place. Dad was a master welder at Gehri Sheet Metal until he retired. Mom stayed very busy with her children and home. She often sewed dresses for us girls, a skill she loved. Mom was very active at St. Ann's Catholic Church and School. There were many bazaars and fund raisers where Mom used her crafting abilities to support the parish. When all the kids were in school at last, she decided to help support the needs of the family by going to work. Mom educated herself through many courses at night to become employable; learning typing, short hand, office machines etc. By the early to mid 1960's, she was employed by Boeing for about five years in Renton. Tired of the commute, she found a great job at the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department working in the Nursing Division as a secretary. She retired from there after 20 years of service. She had many interests and hobbies and was always learning to do new things throughout the years. Classes she took included ceramics, home decorating, doll making, jewelry making, oil painting, tole painting, knitting and many others. She was good at everything she did. There was always a garden in the back yard while the kids were home. Fresh food was grown and canned and wondrous flowers, especially dahlias were grown. Oh how we hating digging up the bulbs every year! If she wanted to redecorate, she did many things herself such as making curtains, refinishing tables and chairs, and painting artwork. When she went back to work, she told us girls that we had to be the dinner cooks now! After school we'd go home and prepare dinner from her recipes and directions. We didn't think it was that much fun at the time but now we know it was one of the best things she taught us. She knew we'd learn so much on our own. Despite a few overdone casseroles, she had dinner waiting when the work day was over! She believed in a good Catholic education to build a foundation for our futures. She had a strong faith in God and lived her life as such a good example of that. She prayed a lot, especially the rosary. She said many devotions and had masses offered for her family, friends, or anyone in need or sick. We think she had a direct line to the angels and St. Anthony, the finder of lost things. If something went missing, we'd tell Mom to say a prayer to St. Anthony, and voila, said item would be found! Mom so loved and enjoyed her entire family. John Jr. became a priest for seven years. He later married Diane, and had three children, Michael, Kimberly and Matthew. Tom married Linda and they had two children, Mark and Craig. Marilyn married Greg (deceased) and had one son, Chad. Sharon married Paul and they had a son, Eric; then married Larry and had Adam; then married Ken (a keeper!). Great grandchildren are Cassie, Chase, Chloe, Allie, Willem, and Vail. Did we mention shopping?! Garage sales, flea markets, department stores, antique malls, Mom loved them all. Many a Saturday night was spent watching Lawrence Welk then playing bridge with the cousins until 3am. She collected many types of dolls as well as making, painting and sewing clothes for porcelain ones. Evelyn was a devoted member of the Catholic Daughters of America for 50 years. She was also proud of her membership to the American Business Women's Association for 40 years. One year she was awarded a "Woman of the Year" pin. She traveled to France with Marilyn in 1990 to explore her heritage. There were many enjoyable trips to Mom and Dad's ocean lot for trailer camping with the family. Growing up we all learned to dig clams so there would always be clams for chowder for meatless Fridays. When dad was ill from emphysema, she took care of him until the end at home with hospice. Through the years, even though she had her own health issues, she remained independent in her own home. With the wonderful, loyal help of her care giver, Vivian Douglas, she lived comfortably and managed all of her own affairs. She was even using her computer to surf the web and check out what the family was up to on Facebook. Mom had a sharp mind her entire life to the very last minute she breathed her last breath and communicated her last bits of motherly advice. We'll miss her dearly but hold her love in our hearts always. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, July 7, 2014 at 11:00am at St. Ann's Catholic Church followed by a reception. The Rosary will be recited at 10:15am prior to the Mass also at Church. Viewing will be held on Sunday, July 6, 2014 from 12 noon to 5:00pm at Gaffney Funeral Home Chapel. Interment at Gethsemane Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Ann's Catholic Church. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.