Obituary: Somes, Christine (Duchscher) (Age 92)
She had been residing at Riverview Retirement Community, enjoying the changing seasons from her river view window.
Christine was born to Marianna and Joseph Duchscher in Prelate, Saskatchewan, in March of 1921.
Her parents and four eldest siblings had passed through Ellis Island, New York, from Romania, fourteen years earlier.
In 1923, the family moved to Yakima, Washington, where Christine was raised.
Christine and Robert D. Somes were married in Yakima in 1939, and remained happy together until Robert’s death in July of 20ll.
Until the birth of their first child, they lived and worked in Granite, Oregon, where Bob worked at a gold mine, and together they operated a restaurant.
The family moved to Longview, Washington in the early 40’s, and except for two years during WWII that they lived in Vallejo, California, in Navy housing, they called Longview home.
They moved to Spokane, Washington in 1956.
Spokane provided educational opportunities for their high school age children at Marycliff and Gonzaga.
Christine and family belonged to St. Augustine’s parish, where the younger children were schooled and where the family attended services.
After all but the youngest child had married and moved out, Chris and Bob designed and built a home in the Glenrose area of Spokane, and they became members of St. Peter’s Parish.
Many happy occasions and holidays saw Christine presiding over large family gatherings in their dream home in the woods.
While Robert had a wide-ranging working career, Chris enjoyed her own as a stay at home wife and mother.
The love shared between Christine and Bob during their 72 years together is a story that is the stuff of legends.
Christine supported uncounted charities, most particularly those involving children.
She was also loyal and loving to many friends.
Over the years, she enjoyed antiques and helping Bob restore them, various arts and crafts, sewing for herself and daughters, playing cards, bowling in mixed leagues, and especially, books.
She had a large personal library.
Christine was a very pretty lady with a beautiful singing voice and a great sense of humor.
She personified the ideal mom as seen in every early-day TV sitcom.
She was always available to her family and a constant in all their lives.
Christine is survived by her daughter Patricia (William Cenis) of Plains, Montana, and their sons Christopher, Mark, Ian and Torrey; her son Robert Somes Jr. (Becky) of Spokane and their children Daniel, Aaron, Buck, Kimberly, and Sarah; her son David Somes (Colleen) of Othello, Washington and their children Rachael, Samuel, Micah, Alex and Carol Kaylor; her daughter Bernadette (Byron Bumpass) of Spokane and children MaryAnn, Jordan and Lucas; her daughter Ann Marie (Sam Salem) and daughters Leah and Jasmine, all of Spokane.
One other daughter, Maryanne, died at birth.
Christine left 34 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
She was also preceded by 11 of her 12 siblings, as well as her parents.
Memorial Mass will be held 11AM Friday May 24, 2013 at Immaculate Heart Retreat Center, 6910 S. Ben Burr Road followed by inurnment at Moran Cemetery and a reception will follow.