Our Mother, Jessie Abhold, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on March 23, 2021 in Mount Vernon, Washington. Mom was born December 3, 1924 to Martha (Davila) and Joe Esparza in Texas. Due to her mother's poor health, the girl's orphanage of the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus in San Antonio accepted her at the young age of 16 months. At the orphanage, Mom formed a special bond with Sister Bernadina, who cared for her so well throughout her life that Mom always referred to her as "Mommy".

Mom's life was not easy in the orphanage, these experiences forged Mom's determination for a better life. Many times, after thinking she was being placed with a new family for love, she soon realized they were just looking for free labor, a housekeeper or help with their children or disabled family member. Upon learning of these inappropriate living conditions Mom was placed in, Sister Bernadina would bring her back to the orphanage once again under her care. At age 16, she was moved from the orphanage to the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart Nursing home in San Diego, California and from there, she eventually made her way to work at Boeing in Seattle, Washington.

Now in her twenties, and living in Seattle, Mom and her roommate went on a blind date with two young men who were from Yakima. She was the center of attention with her friend's date, Leo Abhold. This young man would call and press Mom to consider spending all her time with him, taking her to baseball games and dancing and eventually asking her hand in marriage. Leo and Jessie Abhold were married May 5th, 1947 in Seattle, at St. James Cathedral, by Father William Treacy.

Our parents started their large Catholic family in a small house in Yakima, Washington. While living in this 2-bedroom home with 6 children, all under the age 8, they built a large custom home that Mom designed herself. Our parents were instrumental in teaching us the value of hard work, multi-tasking, and that there would be no playing with our friends until the chores were completed to their standards. Chores were rotated among us kids, age appropriate of course; like folding laundry and diapers, mending clothes, darning socks, dish washing, cleaning the bathrooms, waxing hard wood floors, yard work and killing earwigs who just loved hiding in Dad's flower beds. Picking apples in the orchards of Yakima valley, as a family, taught us how to work as a team. Mom taught us money management by creating the monthly event she called "Store". Mom would purchase five and dime items and lay them out on a table, and we would purchase these items using the funds we earned doing chores. Very clever on her part, as the coins continually went full circle, all while teaching us the value of money. They had a firm belief in education and the teachings of the Catholic Church and escorted their nine children to Holy Family church every Sunday, while CCD and going to Confession was also mandatory on Saturdays. Continually learning was especially important to our parents, whether it be just the college of hard knocks, knowledge of the arts, sports, gardening, music or anything that piqued our curiosity. This foundation of a good work ethic, being inquisitive and confident, having discipline and structure helped us to be successful in our future personal and career paths. We will forever be grateful for the sacrifices and guidance our parents made for us.

Being a young mother was hard for Mom, as she did not receive any cooking lessons in the orphanage, so she relied on recipes in magazines and product packages. The family enjoyed dinners that included creative ideas like Veg All Lime Jell-O, No Salt Jerky Roast and even Low Cal Sugarless Pumpkin Pie on Thanksgiving. We all still share heartwarming memories of many family recipes she used to improve her cooking skills. Thank you, Mom, for persevering in becoming a good cook.

Mom's spirit of adventure, and having a tight household budget, created the need to bring the world to us. We managed to travel the world while staying home. She enlisted her children to study Hawaii, China, Mexico and other Countries in depth using the Encyclopedia Britannica set they purchased for home study. Bringing home materials from the Library, like music and posters and recipes to cook, she encouraged competition of the knowledge we gleaned as we shared with each other what we learned during these special Around the World dinners. This was a big hit with us. Mom stated she wanted to teach her children tolerance for other people's cultures and traditions.

Being a mother to so many, she tried her best at making each of us feel special. On our Birthday, she would spend time with us baking our cake, and during the Christmas Season, she'd have us help with baking of favorite Christmas cookie, decorating the tree and setting up the Nativity scene. Mom had special memories of Christmas Mass for the orphaned children of the Carmelite's, and she loved sharing those caring moments with us to remind us to care for those who are less fortunate.

We had great vacations to Cannon Beach, and the rented beach house, across from Ecola Inn. These family trips created lifetime memories of cars getting stuck, crabbing on the rocks, sandcastles, sand filled shoes and sun kissed cheeks. This beauty became an annual event for most of the family, even to this day we head to Cannon Beach for our respites. A few of us spent our honeymoon at Cannon Beach, creating more memories. Because of their love of nature, they took us on many day trips, in our family 3-seater station wagon, to the mountains, ocean, and ornamental gardens. Viewing these gardens inspired the flower gardens that Dad grew. These day trips became a shared pastime of our parents. Dad would capture spring and fall colors, old barns, lakes, rivers and mountains with his Nikon camera, and Mom would turn these photos into beautiful paintings.

With Dad's encouragement, after the last child was born, Mom started painting with oil at age 40, when she enrolled in an art class at Yakima Community College. Her painting skills grew, and she became a talented local painter, achieving best of show at the Central Washington State Fair and the Skagit County Fair. She showcased and sold many beautiful paintings at Art Shows and at fundraising auctions across the area, making many new friends in the art community along the way and mom was steadfast at ensuring her children and grandchildren received beautiful artwork to adorn their homes. Mom taught us how to use a color wheel, about shapes, and the love of drawing, skills passed on to future generations. For her 90th Birthday party, we organized a Jessie Abhold Art Exhibit, where all attendees brought one of the oil paintings, she had painted for them, to display in the art gallery we created for her. She was beyond thrilled, so joyful and happy to see all the extended family and friends gathered to throw her a celebration of life event, while she was alive.

As the years passed, Dad's garden became abundant in flowers with massive rows of beautiful Roses, many varieties of Irises and hundreds of catalog Peonies. His hobby eventually became a springtime business, selling hundreds of dozens of Peonies annually for the Memorial Day Remembrance. Many of us, blocked out Memorial Day weekend, so we could help in this large enterprise knowing they needed as many helpers as possible to be successful. The garage air was always filled with the sweet perfume of Peonies, what fun we had, especially seeing the delight on our parents faces. To keep her grandchildren busy, Mom encouraged them to paint rocks and sell them, they loved it. The proceeds from the Peony sales allowed our parents to head back to the beach they so loved.

As adults, our families spent many Holidays together in the large family home in Yakima, and soon their grandchildren and great-grandchildren's laughter filled the air too. Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter became crowded events eventually spilling into the daylight basement. As the family tree branches continued to grow, they did their best making everyone feel special and important to them. Not an easy task when you have 19 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren, yet we all have our special individual moments and memories to cherish.

After our Dad passed away in 2005, Mom was determined to stay in the home they built, and she did for the next 11 years. Thanks to all (and you know who you are) who helped drive Mom to her appointments, the bank and bill paying, shopping for needed items, ensuring she faithfully attended Church, cooking meals for her, and to those of you who helped her with home repairs. She was so appreciative and grateful of the assistance provided to her, thank you. She could not have lived on her own without your help. And thank you to Bill, Joanne, and Sandi for the love and support you extended to Mom throughout the years too, she so enjoyed how special you treated her.

Five years ago, at age 91, Mom realized she could no longer live independently and relocated to Mount Vernon to live with our sister Kathleen. Mom was provided the best care and spoke of this often by responding "I'm being treated like a Queen" when we asked her how she was doing (she loved watching "The Crown"). Mom was treated to monthly "ladies' night out" events where she would get her hair done perfectly while sharing pizza and wine with her daughter's friends, Deborah and Getty. Mom's outgoing personality and her life's stories inspired them and brought many smiles. Mom also enjoyed special trips to fine restaurants in La Conner and Anacortes, sitting on the restaurant decks by the water and watching the sun set. When she had a glass of wine she would say, "I was happy, but this wine has made me happier". Kathleen and her family took Mom to the beach several times, on many road trips and to an Andre Rieu concert, where she clapped with glee. During these past five years, Mom and Kathleen created a special supportive bond. Together they sang Mom's favorite songs or listened to Mom's favorite music to keep her spirits high, especially when her body weakened and hurt with age.

Mom passed away peacefully at home in Mount Vernon, with Kathleen and other family members by her side. We were singing, praying and comforting her until she quietly slipped away from us into God's and Dad's waiting arms in Heaven. We are sure Dad planted a huge garden of yellow roses that he was patiently waiting to share with Mom upon her arrival, he always referred to her as his beautiful Yellow Rose of Texas. He lovingly called her Mamalini, and she called him Papalini.

Kathleen and the Abhold family would like to thank the entire Hospice of the Northwest Team, for the care, love and support provided to both her and Mom these past three months. With gratitude and appreciation to: April, Deena, Hailey, Nadine, and Veronica. Mom so loved all of you.

Mom is survived by her nine children: Julie Lange, Kennewick, WA. Ray Abhold, Spokane, WA. Jim Abhold (Cuc) Vancouver, WA. Fritz Abhold (Louise) Sedro Woolley, WA. Kathleen Abhold, Mount Vernon, WA. Patricia Petri (Stuart) Selah, WA. Mike Abhold Yakima, WA. Kris Abhold (Patricia) Yakima, WA. Randy Abhold (Ximena) Yakima, WA, and 19 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. She is also survived by our Aunts: Jeanne Swiatlowski of CA, Lila Abhold and Delores Abhold of Yakima, and Rainie Abhold of Wenatchee, along with numerous other extended family members and close friends she loved dearly. Mom is preceded in death

by her loving husband of 58 years, Leo Abhold, her birth parents Martha and Joe Esparza, her "Mommy" Sister Bernadina, the loving Carmelite Nuns who reared her, and numerous extended family and friends.

There will be a family graveside service at Calvary Cemetery on May 15th, 2021 at 10 am, masks are required.

Following the graveside service, we will have a Celebration of Life for Mom. This will be an outdoor potluck gathering for family and friends, at Randall Park, S.E. Shelter, in Yakima.

Mom was a very loving mother, the best there was. Our hearts are heavy, yet joyful she's painting once again and surrounded by love. God Bless you Mom, we love you Infinity. Give Papalini a giant hug and let him know how much we love and miss him too.

"Do not cry because I died, smile and celebrate because I lived. Know that I'm in a happy place. Know that we will meet again."

Memorial contributions may be made to:

*Hospice of the Northwest-Music Therapy Fund, 227 Freeway Drive, Suite A, Mount Vernon WA 98273

*Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus 1215 Dewey Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI 53213

*Yakima Young Ladies' Institute (YLI) # 96, Holy Family Church, 5315 Tieton Drive, Yakima WA 98908