Obituary

Lola Kathleen Hooker, 65, passed away at home in Portland, OR on February 9, 2013 after two months of fighting metastatic breast cancer. Throughout her final days, she was surrounded by dear friends and family.

Lola was born in Jacksonville, FL in 1948. She grew up in Mt. Pleasant, MI and went to Bronson School of Nursing in Kalamazoo where she met the one love of her life, Eric (“Rick”) Hooker, of Wayland, MI. They were married on June 13^th, 1970, shortly after he returned from the Vietnam War. They lived in Marshall, MI until 1972 when they moved to Bloomington, IL where Eric worked at State Farm and Lola worked at Mennonite Hospital. Their only child, Amy, was born in 1972. In 1977, the family relocated to Santa Rosa, CA. Lola worked at Warrack Hospital as a nurse, and decided to pursue higher education to become a nursing instructor. She went to the SRJC and Sonoma State University, earning her BSN in 1982. She went on to UC San Francisco to earn her MS in 1984. She taught nursing at the College of Marin for many years, in addition to working with hospice in Sonoma County. In 1994, Lola and Eric moved to Sutter Creek, CA where Lola worked at Sutter Amador Hospital as well as Hospice of Amador. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001 shortly after the birth of her first grandchild. She was determined to do everything she could to fight the disease and live as long as possible. More than anything else in the world, she wanted to see her grandkids grow up. She underwent a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation and was declared cancer-free in 2002—that same year, Eric was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. They moved to Happy Valley, OR in 2005 so that they could be closer to their daughter and grandkids and Eric could have treatment at OHSU. In addition to caring for Eric as his disease progressed, she also worked at Generations Home Health Care, which became Marquis Home Health Care, and later Walla Walla School of Nursing. She lost Eric in 2006 and her heart never recovered. Time with her grandkids brought her the most joy, and she loved having weekly “Grammie Days” with them. She also loved working in her garden, raising chickens, walks with her golden retriever - Bella, and trips to the coast. She was an avid cook and entertainer, and was always at her happiest with a house full of people. Her 65^th birthday in January was spent with many beloved family and friends, surrounded by love and laughter. She will be dearly missed by many, and remembered for her warmth and hospitality, her “knickers” and wild socks, her smiling eyes, and open heart.

She is survived by her daughter, Amy Watson; and her grandchildren, Levi (11), Mariah (9) and Noah (5); her mother Leona (Lewis) Francis Fussman (of FL, MI, and OR), who had been living with her since 2009, her brother Earl Francis and his wife Sharon Hatzel (of Lancaster, PA); her sister-in-law Mary Tong and her husband Ray Tong (in Santa Rosa, CA); her sister-in-law Kay Francis (in MI); as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Her husband of 36 years, Eric, preceded her in death, as did her brother, Clayton Francis.

A memorial celebration will be held in her backyard garden on Sunday, May 26^th in Portland. Donations in her name may be made 
to Providence Hospice.