In Loving Memory

Cecilia Marie Somerlott

Cecilia Marie Hawkins-Somerlott Born August 25, 1927 in Spokane, Washington to Chester C. and Elizabeth E. (Klein) Hawkins. Died Age 94 November 2, 2021 in Republic, Washington.

Cecilia spent her early years living in Spokane, Wash. with her family where she attended catholic schools. When she was about 10 years old Cecilia's family moved to Summit Valley, WA where her mother had inherited property from her parents' homestead. Living there, her mother hoped, would allow them to grow a garden and have livestock to feed the family. Cecilia and her siblings attended Summit Valley School until they each reached the age for Junior High School at which time they attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Chewelah, WA. For a period of time, when Cecilia was 14, she lived with her father and attended school in Kettle Falls, Wash. where he worked publishing a newspaper. Cecilia helped by setting type for printing, and her mother would come from Summit Valley once a week to help prepare the publication for print. Ironically, the couple that lived in the same duplex that they occupied were Dessa and Phil Hall, aunt and uncle to the man Cecilia would eventually marry, Robert (Bob) Somerlott. Cecilia and Bob met a few years later at a dance in Colville and on July 23, 1947 they were married. For several years Bob's work took him to different locations and Cecilia usually travelled with him, even keeping their young children with them. They lived in a travel trailer on location where Bob worked construction, mainly on dams and highways. Cecilia was also employed at times, waiting tables at Newland's Café, Clark's Café and other local eateries when they were in Colville. Eventually Bob obtained employment with the Department of Transportation and in 1955 they purchased a house and property next to the airport in Colville where they lived for their remaining years. In the late 1950's Cecilia found employment with Bob Porter at Porter's Polka Dot Grocery, where she worked until the building was demolished to make room for a new grocery venture, the Polka Dot Warehouse Mark-It, where she worked until she became manager of the Old Dominion Grocery when Mr. Porter added it to his business. Beginning in 1961 Cecilia was also employed as weather observer for the federal weather bureau at Spokane. Four times a day, beginning at 3:30 a.m., Cecilia spent about 20 minutes to observe and report the weather, including temperature, humidity, pressure, precipitation and sky cover. A few years after Bob retired, Cecilia also retired so that they could travel and spend leisure time together. In 1974 Cecilia and Bob opened their home and became foster parents to two daughters of one of Cecilia's cousins that had passed away. It was that kind of love and dedication that made their home a place that people have always enjoyed visiting. Cecilia loved to have a house full of people, with as many children as she could gather. All were welcome in her home and it was always best to come hungry no matter what time of day you came. She had a passion for family and friends, and for dolls. She learned to make dolls of porcelain and polymer clays, and shared her love of creating them with anyone that wanted to learn.

Cecilia was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Somerlott, son Rob Somerlott, sisters; Laura Ward and Virginia Spurgin, and brothers; A. Curtis and Mike Hawkins. Cecilia is survived by: sons Dan (Linda) Somerlott, Hunters, WA., and Mike (Laurel) Somerlott, Colville, WA; daughters Virginia (Randy) Sieger, Springdale, WA, Susie Rothwell, Colville, WA, and Theresa (Jeff) Hirsch, Colville, WA; foster daughter Linda (Gray) Shireman, Spokane Valley, WA; grandchildren Les (Beth), Chris (Carla), and Troy (Jamie Jo) Somerlott; Aaron (Lorraine) and Brian Gardner, Mary (Daniel) Naderhoff; Eric, Cory, and Melissa Sieger; Elsa (Josh) Linn, Ben (Freddy), Mike, Will (Brittany), and Dan (Kaitlyn) Hirsch, and Greta (Riley) Kesterson; and great-grandchildren John, Chelsea, Emma, Kelly, Hudson, Jonas, and Morgan Somerlott, Miles Ferrier, Ethan, Raven, Vincent, and Samson Gardner, Damien and Declan Naderhoff, Lelu and Otto Linn, Lilly and Braelynn Hirsch, Harlan and Walker Kesterson. A funeral mass is planned for next spring, notice will be published at a later date. Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory have been entrusted in her care.