Katie Sue Cederholm French

Katie Sue Cederholm French, long time resident of Tumwater, Washington, passed in the early morning of January 26, 2016 in her Gold Creek home. Born April 15, 1944 in Santa Ana, California, she spent much of her youth in southern California before her family moved to Auburn, Washington and then Federal Way. She worked on a bachelor’s degree in English at Western Washington University, during which time she started a family with her husband of 40 years. She was a master seamstress, cook and baker while she raised four children. After settling in Tumwater, she eventually worked in accounting for the North Thurston Schools. Upon retirement, she nursed her dying husband, Jeff Cederholm, for three years before losing him to cancer. Katie loved to sing as her father had, to watch the birds enjoying seed in her feeders, and to sit on her deck and enjoy the flowers in her yard. She maintained a vegetable garden every summer and canned countless batches of fruits and vegetables. She loved to dine out and never turned down a martini. She loved meeting new people and watching her grandchildren play. Katie displayed an infectious kindness, had a generous spirit, and her smile always lit up the room. She is survived by her four children, Kelly Lindseth, Stephanie Cederholm, Jeff Cederholm, and Heidi Carias, as well as their spouses and her eight grandchildren, Travis, Cabe, Alyssa, Kiley, Caden, Carter, Elba, and baby-on-the-way. She also leaves behind her dog Dolly and cat Amelia; two sisters, Zanna Kadoun and Harriet Kincade; her life-long friends, Ginny Jackson and Frances Lavoie of “The Purple Cows;” her friend, Dean French; and many other beloved friends and extended family. Please leave memories of Katie or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.