We are greatly saddened to announce that Martha Jane Millarich, 96, passed away peacefully at her residence in Enumclaw, WA on March 20, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.
Martha was born on January 10, 1928, to Ralph and Martha Hanthorn in Kent, WA. The family soon moved to Enumclaw and eventually Ralph purchased a 5-acre plot and began the long process of building the family home. Martha and her two brothers, Ralph Jr and Gerry, enjoyed playing in the woods and swimming in Boise Creek. Martha attended school in Enumclaw and graduated from Enumclaw High School in 1944, during the height of World War II.
After high school, Martha and some girlfriends, including her good friend Dolly (Grennan) Fugate, moved to Spokane, WA to work as secretaries at the Army Air Base,
contributing to the war effort. The girls all enjoyed attending the dances at the base on Friday nights. After the war ended, Martha moved back to Seattle to work for an insurance company. While in Seattle, she met and married Bill Kneadler in 1947. The couple lived in Seattle for six years and then moved back to Enumclaw to raise their family.
Martha’s father instilled in her a very strong work ethic and that work ethic was evident in everything she did. Martha worked full time as a secretary for the union agent of the International Woodworkers of America for 33 years from 1963 to 1996, while also being a full-time mother to 4 children, during a time when that was not the norm. She was active in the Enumclaw Women’s Golf Club, The Seattle Children’s Hospital Guild, and the Business and Professional Women’s Club.
Martha and Bill divorced in the late 1970’s and Martha continued on with her life, keeping busy and being very involved in all aspects of her children and grandchildren’s lives, attending numerous family functions, school activities, sporting events, etc., and spending time with beloved longtime friends. But then in 1996, she reconnected with a friend from high school, John Millarich. They were married in 1999 and Martha expressed that marrying John was one of the best decisions of her life. They enjoyed their retirement years together, traveling, attending sporting events, spending time with the blended families and always rooting for the Mariners, Seahawks and Huskies.
Of all the things that Martha valued in life, family tops the list. She was a kind, caring, and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her sharp wit and impeccable memory regarding every detail of the lives of every member of her large family was never ending, even right up to her passing. Her home was a haven for every family member in need of some fantastic cookies and solid, straightforward advice and support. She was the matriarch of a large extended family that enjoys being together and her influence will continue on long after she has gone. She will be greatly missed, but her presence and memory will continue on in our lives.
In addition to her parents and brothers, Martha was preceded in death by her husband, John, and her infant son, Jeffrey Paul, and great-granddaughter, Rachel. She is survived by her son Bill (Karen), son Mark, daughter Jane (Bill), daughter Lynne (Lenny), and 9 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life for Martha Millarich will be held at the Thunder Dome Car Museum, 1920 Garrett Street, Enumclaw, WA, on May 4, 2024, at 11:00 am, reception to follow.
