Catherine Idell Roper

Catherine (Cathy) Idell Hatch Roper, passed away Sunday, July 30, 2023, in Shoreline, WA. She was born at home in Glenwood, Alberta, Canada on March 4, 1927, the 7th of 12 children to Victor & Susan Antonette Lybbert Hatch. Born into a family of pioneer heritage, Cathy was a life long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, serving in many capacities, including Relief Society President under the direction of Bishop Dave Mohlman, and later as an Ordinance Worker in the Seattle Washington Temple. She loved serving in the Temple where she felt close to her Heavenly Father.

Cathy was a loving mother to her five children; Catherine (& Dean) Hoffman of Bonney Lake, WA, Melanie (& Bruce) Seely of Spanish Fork, UT, Keith (& Penny) Roper of Oscala, FL, Maury (& the late Elke) Roper of Spanaway, WA and David (& Katherine) Roper of Edmonds, WA, 25 grandchildren (each of whom will tell you that they were her favorite, 60 great grandchildren (with 2 more on the way) and 4 great, great grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings; Ronald Hatch, Edith Claybert, Opal Greep & Neldon Hatch.

Cathy was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years; Martin W. Roper, her parents; Victor and Susan Hatch, her brothers; Vinall, Deloss & Darnall Hatch, her sisters; Lavern Stonehocker, Lois Burgess, Irece Burgess & Norene Cook, her daughter in law; Elke Roper, and two grandchildren; Angela Seely and Kurt Roper.

Cathy was always giving service to everyone around her. She loved sewing and quilting and for many years, made quilts for all of the new babies arriving at Church, and for the couples getting married. Many have shared memories of playing under the quilting frames while their mothers sat around the quilting frame hand stitching the quilt. None were tied or machine quilted. And all of the stitches were uniform in size. She prided herself in only giving perfectly stitched quilts. She loved baking and whenever there was a baptism at Church, she made the child’s favorite cookies and they were served in big metal cookie tins. She made sure that if someone was ill or just had a new baby or surgery, that tasty meals were brought into the family.

Cathy was involved in several community organizations as well. She belonged to the Telephone Pioneers as a result of her husband working for AT&T. She also belonged to Paramount Park Guild which raised money for Children’s Hospital by having an annual nut sale. And because of her pioneer ancestry, she joined Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and was involved in every level of local leadership with them at some point over the span of 50 some years.

Cathy loved to sew and after her husband’s passing, converted their large bedroom into a sewing/quilting room. She sewed for her entire family. She never bought shirts or dresses for herself or her children. She was always sewing for her grandchildren as well. They have fun stories to tell about that. She loved all forms of needlework and in later years, found plastic canvas and made all kinds of silly things with them that friends and family cherished.

Cathy was direct. She spoke her mind. She had a little plate that hung on her dining room wall that said, “It’s my house and I’ll do as I darn please.” She never sugar-coated anything.

Cathy also loved gardening. Ironically, she was allergic to flowers, so she couldn’t have them in the house. She was allergic to perfume as well, and too often someone unknowingly would sit next to her, and she would be sick and congested for a few days. But she still loved being around people.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 14901 30th Ave NE, Shoreline, WA at 10 a.m. Viewing will be at the Church from 9 to 9:45 a.m. and Burial will be at 2 p.m. at Floral Hills cemetery in Lynnwood, WA

If you are unable to attend Cathy's church service in person, we would still like to welcome you to join us via Zoom.

Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/99192604805?pwd=UEhTaFBlU0RuT3RLNm1OS05mTFVGdz09

Meeting ID: 991 9260 4805 Passcode: 944909