Rhoda Beth Metcalfe

Rhoda is a biblical name selected by her mother. She was born on January 7, 1912 to Arthur and Grace Pope in Downers Grove, Illinois where she attended Presbyterian Church and graduated from Wheaton College receiving her bachelor’s degree in teaching elementary school. Rhoda went on to get her master’s degree at the University of Chicago where she met Frank Metcalfe of Wapato, Washington who was also taking classes at the University.

Rhoda and Frank were married in 1940 and lived in Wapato for several years, where Frank already was a teacher, before moving to Yakima where Rhoda taught school at McKinley, Gilbert, and Wilson Schools until retiring in 1974. Rhoda tracked many of her students’ careers as they traveled thru life. Rhoda, at the beginning of her teaching career taught in one room school houses in Illinois and Michigan, and then a Librarian. During the war years she was a practical nurse at St. Elizabeth.

For many years Rhoda took care of her two aunts, Fran and Lucy Pope in Carmel, California, as well as moving her Aunt Gladys from Illinois to Yakima.

Rhoda’s in her later years had two passions, her beloved cats and rehabbing older homes before it was popular. The last home was a historical house in Ahtanum which she bought in 1986, refurbished it inside and out, moving into the home in 1993 and then because of health moved to Highgate assisted living in 2007 at the age of 95. The last few years Rhoda has been living at Summitview Living Care. Rhoda loved her home and especially enjoyed entertaining her various clubs and friends. Just before her 102nd birthday Rhoda asked her daughter-in-law, Linda, for help in calling some friends and when told she had survived them all she commented, “Well, I guess I am like the last leaf left on the tree.”

During the 50’s & 60’s she sang in the 1st Presbyterian Church Choir. Rhoda was a life time member of PEO for 50 years, serving in many of the elected positions, but her favorite was being treasurer. She was also a long standing member of the Republican Women’s Club and the Merry Hearts Widow’s group at Ahtanum Pioneer Church where she was a member since 1974 and helped build the newer Ahtanum Pioneer Church.

Immediately after retirement, she and Frank toured the holy lands. After being widowed, she toured the British Isles, Australia and New Zealand. In 1991 she decided that her last trip was through the Panama Canal to the Caribbean Isles.

Preceding Rhoda is her husband Frank J. Metcalfe in November of 1984 and her parents, Arthur and Grace Pope. She is survived by her son and daughter –in-law Doug and Linda Metcalfe of Spokane, sister-in-law Josephine Bonin of Mt. View, CA and numerous nieces and nephews on both coasts.

The family would like to thank the staff at Summitview who have taken care of Rhoda these last few years as well as those from Ahtanum Pioneer Church who visited with her many occasions. A huge thank you also goes to Reva Wiley for making sure that Rhoda’s hair always looked the best and kept her updated on the neighborhood. The family thanks Ruth Merritt for not only her dedication in helping Rhoda with her various projects, but most of all her friendship throughout the years.

Donations in her memory can be made to Ahtanum Pioneer Church or the Humane Society.

Visitation will be Thursday, November 13, 2014 from noon to 8:00 p.m. at Keith & Keith Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, November 14, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. in the Rainier Memorial Center located at 2807 Terrace Heights Drive.

Concluding services and burial to follow in the Terrace heights Memoiral Park.