Loretta Fink

Loretta Luella Fink passed October 26, 2023 at the age of 92 in Ocean Park, WA. Loretta was born in Bellingham, WA to Luella and Joseph Caffrey. She graduated from Everett High School in 1950. Her grandmother taught her to sew on a Singer treadle sewing machine, and she used those skills doing what she loved most, making beautiful quilts for her loved ones.

Loretta was a resident of the Peninsula for 33 years and was a respected member of the Long Beach and Ocean Park community. It can certainly be said that she had the most infectious laugh which I’m sure her many friends will remember. Her joys were her family and church, Sewing, Bowling, Bunco, and when she could no longer sew, she enjoyed working Puzzles.

Loretta was known on the Peninsula as a Seamstress extraordinaire. Many of her skills were acquired working for Pendleton Woolen Mills for 27 years as a sewing instructor. She sewed everything from Wedding Dresses to Sails for Sailboat to Garlic Festival Costumes and the Fire Department patches on their uniforms in addition to all kinds of alterations. She was one of the Original Founding Member of the Peninsula Quilt Guild, and entered several Quilt Shows over the years, sometimes taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Loretta, true to her nature, never made a big deal out of it.

There was one thing that she told me she wanted people to know after her passing. She said in her sweet little old lady voice, "I want people to know I lived a good life. I've had a lot of friends, not so much anymore because many are gone, but I will be seeing them again soon." She was a short little lady with a heart beyond measure, and she will be deeply missed.

She was preceded in death by three husbands Raymond, Gailan, and Robert and her sons David and Roger, and stepdaughter Beverly. She leaves behind three children, Joseph Cote, Earl Cote, Kathy (John) Palmer, and 5 step children, Gary (Yvonne) Freshour, Patty Mae (Joseph) Schlick, Robert Jr (Rebecca)) Fink, Lauri Parson, Angela (Ron) Skidmore. Loretta has 13 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 6 great greats, making her the greatest grandma.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Peninsula Senior Center at 21603 O Ln, Ocean Park, WA 98640 on Sunday November 12th at 2:30pm. In memory of Loretta's love of sweets, please bring a desert to share at the service. Memorial donations can be made to the Peninsula Senior Center.