Remembering Lola Sugia Tebelman, 1925-2016

Family and friends are remembering Lola Sugia Tebelman, who also touched many lives with her music:

Lola Sugia Tebelman, 90, died peacefully April 19, 2016 at Providence Mount St. Vincent in West Seattle.

Lola was born July 17, 1925, in Seattle, to Assunta and Philip Sugia. She attended Franklin High School and at an early age began a career as a vocalist in many prominent Northwest bands, orchestras, and jazz combos. (Her 1960 45-rpm record “Blue Tears/ Weathervane” was recorded at the West Seattle home studio of Seattle’s then-top audio engineer, Joe Boles, on Admiral Way in West Seattle.)

In later years, she attended business school and worked at the University of Washington until she retired.

Lola touched many lives with her presence, her creativity, her talent and her love of family. She enjoyed opera, jazz and classical music, fine arts, gardening, Italian cooking, journalism, reading non-fiction, writing plays, stories, and lyrics. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren brought a special joy to her life!

She is survived by her two daughters, Maia Santell and Pamela Tebelman; her granddaughters, Mikela Aramburu, Gina Aramburu, and Lisa Tebelman; two great-granddaughters; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.

At her request no service will be held. Condolences may be sent to P.O. Box 97353, Tacoma, WA 98497.

In lieu of flowers, to honor Lola’s end-of life wishes, a memorial-gift donation to Seattle Area Feline Rescue would be a lovely expression, as she was an avid cat lover and animal-rights activist.

Please share memories and condolences on our online guestbook for Lola.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

4 Replies to "Remembering Lola Sugia Tebelman, 1925-2016"

  • Mike Emmick April 26, 2016 (12:27 am)

    Here is Lola singing with the Norm Hoagy Orchestra in Seattle.

    What an amazing voice. 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaXb61k77rk

  • DD April 26, 2016 (7:33 am)

    Thank you for sharing this! It brings back sweet memories.

  • BRN April 26, 2016 (8:23 am)

    Lola was a dear family friend. What a treat it was when she sang for us! One of the kindest people ever – she will truly be missed

  • Arleen Patricelli Schinke April 28, 2016 (5:59 pm)

    Lola was my Father’s first cousin, and I saw a lot of both her and Frankie from my early childhood until after I married, had a family, and our families all got bigger.  After that, Larry and I saw her rarely, but always enjoyed any time spent with her. Lola was just simply a sweetheart! She was truly beautiful inside and out, and so very talented. The entire family is going to miss her terribly.  She will live on in our memories as the beautiful person she was from the first time I ever saw her until the last time.  Her kindness radiated from her face just as her smile lit up a room. I will hold that vision in my mind always. I hope her children , grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be uplifted by their memories and comforted as they deal with their loss. 

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