Frances G. Schopf

Frances Gertrude Schopf, 95, beloved aunt to her family and loving friend of all she met, left her earthly home at Sunshine Gardens Nursing Home on April 9, 2011 to be lifted up on Eagle’s Wings and to be with her Lord. We, her 22 nieces and nephews, over 200 grand and great-grand nieces and nephews, church and community friends, and caregivers at Sunshine Gardens honor, remember, admire and love our wonderful aunt and dear friend. Frances was born in Spokane on December 16, 1915, joining 2 brothers and 4 sisters who had recently arrived from North Dakota with their immigrant parents, Joseph and Mary Schopf,. She attended Adams and Holy Names grade schools and graduated from Marycliff High School. In 1942 she joined the Women’s Division of the U.S. Navy, the WAVES, and was sent to Hilo, Hawaii. After her honorable discharge in October 1945, she traveled to New York and to Mexico. She then became a nun at Holy Names Convent where she studied at Holy Names College and at Marylhurst to become an elementary teacher. She taught for 9 years in Eugene, Oregon, and proceeded to Everett and Seattle to teach Montessori kindergarten, later returning to Spokane to complete 25 years of teaching. After 3l years as a nun she asked to be relieved of her vows so that she could better serve mankind outside the doors of the convent. She joined King’s Community Church, traveled to Israel three times, and supported the Billy Graham prayer campaigns and Women’s Aglow in Spokane. She was one of the first fire advisors of the Spokane Fire Department. In 1989 she traveled to take the Good News to Australia. As traveling ended she enjoyed life on the 14th floor of Park Tower in downtown Spokane before moving into Sunshine Gardens in December 2005. She was preceded in death by her two brothers, Joseph and Lawrence, and by her 5 sisters: Mary Mott, Ann Harris, Veronica Sharp Sweeney, Marguerite Kehoe and Sister Elizabeth Schopf. Survivors are her many nieces and nephews. Special appreciation goes to Greg and Marlene Mott for their dedicated supervision of Frances’ care and to the personnel at Sunshine Gardens for their dedication and compassion. A memorial service will be held on April 15, 2011, at 1:00 PM at King’s Community Church (5216 S. Grove Road, Spokane, WA 99224) with Reverend John Knight officiating. Urn placement will proceed the service at the Eastern Washington State Veterans Cemetery (21702 W. Espanola Road, Medical Lake, WA 99022). The family wishes that remembrances be given to Sunshine Gardens Nursing Home.