Thelma McLaughlin

January 08, 1912 - April 02, 2011

Thelma McLaughlin Obituary Thelma McLaughlin, age 99, passed away in Colfax, Washington on Saturday, April 2, 2011. Thelma was born on January 8, 1912 in Vancouver, Washington and lived in Garfield, Washington. She is survived by her daughter Kay Patricia Craig of Garfield, Washington and her son Ralf Ernest Sampson of Lynnwood, Washington, her younger sister Virginia May Thomas of Oak Harbor, Washington, her half sister Sandra Lui of Maple Valley, Washington, 6 grand-children, 11 great-grandchildren, 3 great, great-grandchildren, as well as her special friend Clayton. She was preceded in death by her daughter Sharon Patricia Sampson, her parents William Edward Killion and Pearl Elizabeth Trevarthen, two husbands Ernest Floyd Sampson and Dan McLaughlin, siblings Thomas Edward Killion, Eva Lucille Killion, Genevive Poag, Billie Lavern Robertson, and great-grand-daughter Katelyn Marie Thelma Mikolasy. During Thelma?s 99 years of life she witnessed wars, epidemics, the Great depression, and many fantastic inventions. She even had her own e-mail address! Thelma was secretary at the RETSIL Veterans? Home, the Puyallup Fair, and she was secretary to the General in charge of the National Guard. She also taught English at a college in Japan. When she was over 70 years old she worked at a clock shop at the Seatac Mall, but she had to lie about her age to get the job. Thelma enjoyed golf, cross stitch, knitting, traveling, walks on the beach with daughter Kay, collecting frogs, creating and collecting porcelain dolls, and reading. She lived in Tacoma, Washington; San Diego, California; Nagasaki, Japan; Whidbey Island, Washington; and several other locations. Thelma loved life and lived it joyfully! A memorial service will be held on April 16, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at the Garfield Christian Church at 303 N. Third Street, Garfield, Washington.