Ann Marie Sporcich

April 22, 1922 – October 11, 2015

Ann Marie Sporcich, 93, died on Oct. 11, 2015 in Kennewick, Wash.

She was born April 22, 1922 in Dawson, N.M. to Peter and Mary Schwab. She was the oldest of three children, with younger brothers Joe and John. At age 5, the family relocated to the coal mining town of Roslyn, Wash. Her father was a coal miner and her mother a homemaker. In 1928 Ann began grade school; at that time she could not speak or understand English. Her classmates were Italian, German, Croatian, and other nationalities, in addition to English and Welsh. Like Ann, most of the children could not speak English.

She was 7 when the Great Depression began and 19 when the US entered World War II. She moved to Seattle to be a secretary, and when the war ended, moved back to Roslyn and met her husband-to-be, Bill Sporcich. They married in 1946, and were married for 59 years.

In 1957 Ann and Bill moved to Moses Lake, Wash. with their family of three young boys. Ann was a social girl, a busy homemaker, but always had time for others. She held many volunteer positions, taught catechism classes, was always cooking extra for company dinners, and later, after the boys were grown, driving patients for chemo treatments whenever asked.

Ann held several jobs, but her family, friends, and co-workers were most important to her. There was always room for more in her home and at her dinner table. She had a great sense of humor and loved playing jokes. Ann and Bill lived in Moses Lake for nearly 50 years, but had a very fond attachment to the Roslyn area and spent countless weekends there with family and friends. They were active members of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church.

After Bill passed away in 2006, she moved to Callaway Gardens Alzheimer’s Special Care Unit in Kennewick, where her family was close by. Although dementia took its toll, she always remained a kind and gentle lady.

Ann is survived by her three sons, Bill (Linda), Brad (Diana K.) and Bob Sporcich (Patti Allen) of the Tri Cities; and her brother John Schwab of Denver, Colo. She also leaves behind grandchildren Debbie Sporcich, Deanna Sporcich (Jeff), Ryan Sporcich (Alona), Aislinn Hansen and Andrew Sporcich; great-grandchildren Morgan and Matthew Colston, Dylan Hansen, and Shay Sporcich. Ann is preceded in death by her parents, husband Bill and brother Joe Schwab.

Services for Ann will be held on Friday, Nov. 20 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Moses Lake. Burial of ashes will be at Pioneer Memorial Gardens prior to service.

Our family wishes to thank the staff at Callaway Gardens and Heartlinks Hospice and Palliative Care for their love, compassion, and endless patience in the care of our Mother. Her signature “Hey Lady” will be missed.