Frances Catherine Haugen

Obituary Frances Catherine Haugen (Radich) Frances was born on February 28, 1919 in Everett, WA and died February 18, 2014 in Tacoma at Franciscan Hospice House. Frances was born to Croatian immigrant parents (Anton and Anna) and learned to speak English at Lowell Elementary. She had an older brother, Frank, who predeceased her in 2004 and a younger brother Nick, who died at age 8. She left Stadium High School at age 16 to care for her mom, who died when Frances was only 17 years old. Frances is also predeceased by her beloved son Dennis in 1980 and her husband of 70 years, Lee, in 2012. She is survived by son David (Terri) and daughters Diane, and Dolores (Jim) as well as grandchildren Samantha, Geoff, Zachary, Tess, and Sam. Frances grew up in Old Town, part of a tight-knit immigrant community. She was a long-time member of the Slavonian American Benevolent Society, St. Patrick's Catholic Church, the Altar Society and Catholic Daughters of America. Her faith was an integral part of her life and sustained her through many of life's challenges. She accomplished everything important in life: loving and caring for those around her. Her generosity and graciousness were her gifts to the world. Frances learned (and remembered) everyone's name and was always ready to help anyone in need. She never forgot to say "Thank you". Her hobby was "visiting"-being with others in communion, laughter and fellowship (and there were usually coffee and sweets involved!). Frances was sharp as a tack until a week before her death and could be counted on to remember details from her childhood (raising chickens, picking blackberries by the railroad tracks to make jam, going to movie musicals for ten cents a show) as well as her children's childhoods. She was a remarkable woman and we mourn her loss but know she is with God and pain-free. Many thanks to Franciscan Hospice services-especially her nurse, Heidi-for exceptional care, and also nurse's aide Nimfa at TLRC, who she loved dearly. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, February 24, 2014 at 11:00 at St. Patrick's Church; reception to follow. Donations may be made to Franciscan Hospice or St. Patrick's Church in her name. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, (253) 572-6003.