Frances Raye Hukill

Frances Raye Hukill, 95, passed peacefully away at the Christallace Adult Family Home in Port Orchard, Washington, on July 25, 2023.

Mom and her twin sister Eileen were born on Aug. 25, 1927, to Ray G. Stead and Elmire D. (Tabacchi) Stead in Douglas, Arizona. She married dad on Oct. 26, 1946, in Tucson, Arizona.

With each of dad’s job transfers, living in Montana, Washington, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Idaho and Germany, she made each place a home for her family. Mom was a long time member of the Libby United Methodist Church and loved the Lord with all her heart. She had a beautiful soprano voice and sang in every church she attended, along with the Messiah that the Libby churches organized.

Mom’s passion was always nursing. She worked at Good Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake, Washington in 1949, Libby Care Center and St. John’s Hospital in Libby, Montana, Harrison Hospital in Bremerton, Washington, and Martha Mary Nursing Home in Poulsbo, Washington.

She was the most compassionate, caring, loving person one could have had the privilege of knowing and having as a mother.

She is survived by one sister Jackie (Al) Hersch, Topanga, California, one aunt, Elizabeth (Ted) Segerstrom , Tucson, Arizona; daughters, Kim (Rick) Dupell, Port Orchard, Washington, Dawn Tabacchi, Cheney, Washington, Tamie Kellogg, Seattle, Washington and “adopted” daughter Holly (Dan) Dunham, Bonsall, California; grandchildren Jeremy Larson, Angela Larson, Chelsea Kellogg-Marcus, Bastian Tabacchi and Madison Dunham, along with seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Leon Max Hukill, parents, Elmire and Ray G. Stead, sisters, Eileen Langley and Gerry Schwab, brothers, Walter Stead and Lloyd Stead.

Mom will be interred in a wall niche at the Libby Cemetery.

A special thanks to Remy, Susie and Dorie at the Christallace Adult Family Home, who gave mom the best, loving care until the end.