March 27, 1908 - August 01, 2010
Opal Cora Wetherell Obituary
Passed away peacefully on August 1, 2010 at her home in Spokane at the age of 102. She was born in 1908 in Franklin, Arkansas to Marvin and Nona Williams. The family moved to Pullman, Wash-ington in the 1920's, where she and her brother, Knoble, attended the Pullman Public Schools. Opal attended Washington State College, graduating in 1931 with a degree in Home Economics. Her first job was in Garfield, Washington, where she taught home and family living classes. In 1933, she married Joseph Edward Wetherell. They were married for 29 years until his death in 1963. He was an employee of Kaiser Aluminum. Opal taught home economics in the Spokane Public Schools for many years, during which time she taught at Lewis and Clark High School, Glover Junior High School, and was then selected to establish the first Home Economics Department at Joel E. Ferris High School. She retired in 1973. As a home economics teacher, Opal worked with future generations, teaching them about the chemistry of recipes and cooking, managing a family and home finance, and the care and love needed in raising children. She guided young minds, encouraged them to try new things and shared in their achievements. She enjoyed her membership in the First Presbyterian Church, and after her retirement, taught English as a second language to many students through the Barton School at the Church. During her lifetime, she continually demonstrated her love of learning and teaching. A person of great pride and strength, she lived in her home in Spokane until her passing. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Wenke, of Bellingham WA, her sister-in-law, Virginia (Knoble) Williams, her niece, Deborah (William) Hyslop of Spokane; her nephew, Brian (Mary Jane) Williams of Portland, OR, and her cousins, Vaughn Williams of Spokane, Donna Baldwin of Port Angeles, WA, and Noel Williams of Anacortes, WA. In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by her brother, T. Knoble Williams. A graveside memorial service for family and friends will be held at the Greenwood Cemetery, 211 N. Government Way, Spokane, on Monday, August 9, at 10:30 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Barton School c/o of First Presbyterian Church, 318 S. Cedar St., 99201.
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