Eileen Free

Eileen Vernice Free, 92, formerly of Cathlamet, died at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue on December 29, 2017. Eileen was born in Mesa, Idaho on August 13, 1925 to Charles and Elsie (Freitag) Fry. Eileen was the middle child of three girls and a boy and was the last living child.

ln 1943 she graduated from high school in Council, Idaho. She worked in the shipyard at Swan Island in Portland, as a welder, during WWII. On May 3, 1945 in Corpus Christi, Texas she married Alson Free. While in Texas she worked as a telephone operator and later as an operator in Cathlamet, where she and Al moved in 1954. In 1962 Eileen joined the Dr. office of Manning and Avalon in Cathlamet as Office Manager, where she was well loved. She retired from there in 1989 after 27 years.

She and Al were active members of the United Church of Christ in Cathlamet. In 2008 Al preceded her in death. After Al's death Eileen moved to Bellevue to be near her sons. She is survived by two sons, Butch (Cathy) Free and Ron (Lori) Free , three grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Eileen was preceded by her brother, Sid Fry and two sisters, Leta Howard and Janice Jones.

A Celebration of Eileen's Life will be held on Saturday January 6, 2018 at 1 p.m., at United Church of Christ (Congregational) in Cathlamet. Inurnment will take place with Al at Greenwood Cemetery. Donations in Eileen's name can be made to Cathlamet First Aid Division, 375 2nd St, Cathlamet, WA 98612. Dowling Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.