Cecelia Veronica Soran

Cecelia Veronica Ann Schweiger Soran was peacefully called to eternal life in heaven with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 23, 2019. Born to Peter and Bessie Schweiger on April 12, 1934 on a wheat farm in La Crosse, Washington, Cecelia developed a hearty work ethic which she carried forth throughout her life and gratefulness for her hard-working parents who provided her with a loving and strong life foundation.  Cecelia graduated from La Crosse High School in 1951 where she lettered in badminton and was crowned queen in the Palouse County Fair.  She graduated in 1956 from Sacred Heart School of Nursing in Spokane, Washington. It was at a catholic excelsior club at Gonzaga University, where she met the love of her life, Tom Soran.  Cecelia enjoyed 58 blissful years of marriage with Tom that bared much fruit. She lovingly raised nine children who cherished her above all else. Her toils as a mother were rewarded with 35 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren with many more to follow.

Cecelia worked caringly as a registered nurse for over 20 years at San Dimas Community Hospital in California, Saint Joseph Medical Center and Western State Hospital in Washington, all the while supporting her husband and raising nine children.  She lived her life in loving care for others: family, friends, patients, and strangers alike. In retirement, she cherished spending time with her loved ones and creating wonderful memories in the house that Tom built her in Gig Harbor.

Known to all simply as Nan, she welcomed all with open arms, a kiss on the cheek and a full cookie jar. Her smile and giggle were infectious. She never cursed or spoke an unkind word and laughed at herself when she tried to get mad. Her life was a tapestry of love, grace and kindness. Her heart was pure, filled with gentle compassion and forgiveness. If you knew her, you loved her, and she loved and prayed for you.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Christopher Soran, her brothers Peter and Paul and her sisters, Agnes, Marjorie and Sabina. She is survived by her children Tom (Julie) Soran, Joe (Teri) Soran, Mary (Rich) Pelton, Tony (Lisa) Soran, Chris (Sharon) Soran, Louise (Kurt) VanderWel, Steve (Sally) Soran, Tim (Cheryl) Soran, and Joan (Dale) Montgomery.

In lieu of flowers, please visit humanlife.net.  Funeral Mass Friday February 1, 2019 at 12pm at St. Nicholas Church, 3510 Rosedale Street NW, Gig Harbor, Washington.  Celebration of Life immediately following at Wesley Best Western Inn, 6575 Kimball Drive, Gig Harbor. Graveside Burial will be held Saturday February 2, at 12pm at Haven of Rest Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 8503 State Route 16 NW, Gig Harbor.

She has left this world for a better place, but she left this world a better place. Forever in our hearts. We love her dearly. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

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