Memorial planned September 2nd for Treva J. Koler, 1928-2018

Family and friends will gather next weekend to celebrate the life of Treva J. Koler, and are sharing this remembrance with the community:

Treva Jane Koler (nee McLaughlin) passed away peacefully due to cancer on August 14, 2018, surrounded by members of her family. Her memorial and Celebration of Life will be held 2 – 5 pm Sunday, September 2nd, at Evergreen Washelli.

Treva Jane was born in Laramie, Wyoming, March 4, 1928 to Joseph Henry McLaughlin (1904-1980) and Treva Wilma (Williams) Mclaughlin (1904-1988). She married Richard Kenneth Koler (1927-2000) of Casper, WY in 1948, and they raised their family in Eastern Washington and Seattle (since 1966). She was a bookkeeper 20 years for Dr. Laidig and spent 20 years of her retirement as a volunteer for the Discovery Shop in West Seattle. Her home was a gathering place for all. Many a dinner included kids from the neighborhood or school-chums. Treva was engaging and informed. She loved her travels to see her daughters in Sweden and Turkey, enjoyed singing in choirs, going to the theater, playing cards, telling stories, and doing puzzles. Her family and her spiritual life were very important to her.

Treva was a 15-year survivor of stomach cancer, but earlier this year there was evidence of a new cancer. She elected not to have any treatment as she was 90 years old and ready to move on. Family members, a couple of loving caregivers, and Providence Hospice visiting nurses provided 24-hour care during her last six weeks, so she was able to die peacefully in her own apartment. She was briefly present at the family reunion held the beginning of July to celebrate her 90th birthday. 37 members of her family gathered to honor her. It was amazing to witness her inner vitality as she struggled with cancer.

She is survived by her sister Margaret and husband Martin, all her 7 children and spouses — Don (Xiang-Yue), Larry (Cate), Debi (Tamer), Janece (Marv), Cheryl (Gunnar), Maurine (Suzanne), and Kathy (Andy) — 14 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, and 15 nieces and nephews.

She will be dearly missed by her friends from her church group, the Discovery Shop, her Cancer Survivor support group, and the residents of Bridge Park, the retirement center where she lived.

A memorial service and reception will be held September 2 at 2:00 p.m. at Evergreen Washelli, 11111 Aurora Ave. N. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Providence Hospice of Seattle Foundation, who were so instrumental in helping the family provide care.

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

3 Replies to "Memorial planned September 2nd for Treva J. Koler, 1928-2018"

  • Tamer August 28, 2018 (5:17 am)

    Treva, my Mother-in-law was one of a kind. She was a great Mom to her children. She raised them well – all of them, by herself. She’ll be missed.

    • heartless August 28, 2018 (9:04 am)

      Sounds like she was an amazing person.

    • Andy Murphy August 30, 2018 (10:31 pm)

      Treva was quite the good hearted women.strong when she had to to be,kind the rest of the time.  May she Rest In Peace.Thank you for bringing 7 strong and loving children to the world. 

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