Lilia O. Duthie

Lilia O. Duthie of Cathlamet died March 21, 2011, at her beloved home peacefully looking at the Columbia River at the wonderful age of 92.

Lilia was born and reared in the international city of Shanghai. It was here that she met her husband, Frank, before World War II. During the war Lilia, who is of Portuguese parentage, held a neutral passport and was free to ship food packages and cigarettes to Potung, where Frank was held in an internment camp for the duration of the war. Lilia, with husband Frank and their six month old son, Jim, arrived in Cathlamet in 1947.

Lilia’s love for the Columbia River started when she and Frank bought their first house, an 85-acre ranch that was perched atop the fir covered hills overlooking the magnificent Columbia River. They named it the 3-D Ranch and went on to run 32 head of beef and milk stock. Lilia was no stranger to hard work putting up 50 tons of hay a year, canning vegetables, and making jam.

We will all miss Lilia’s no nonsense cooking, straight-up common sense advice, knitting, and the strawberry and raspberry jam. Jam she lovingly made and passed out every year including this last year. Lilia was an avid sports fan having played basketball, softball, hockey, and tennis in China.

Lilia was predeceased by her husband, Frank R Duthie, in 1981 and her sister, Veronica Gonsalves. She is survived by her son, Jim Duthie, his wife, Susan, of Livermore, CA; three grandchildren also living in California, Brooke, Alison, and Joshua and two great grandchildren, Dashel Levin and Jemma Bee Duthie; her brother Felipe Oliveira of Richmond, British Columbia; two sisters Noelie Larsen and Floria Oliveira, both residing in the San Francisco Bay Area.

At Lilia’s request memorial services will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cathlamet First Aid Division, PO Box 142, Cathlamet, WA 98612.