Kathryn Sonnabend

Kay Sonnabend passed over peacefully with her loved ones by her side on December 7, 2016 in Yakima, Washington. She was born September 13, 1920, in Yakima, to her parents Lee and Grace Johnston. Kay enjoyed growing up in Yakima, playing with her sister Grace, climbing trees, riding horses, ice skating and learning at school. She graduated from Yakima High, attended secretarial school, and worked for a local attorney. She met the love of her life, Chet (Chester Russell) Sonnabend at the Yakima Ice Arena and was married for 58 years. They lived briefly in other locations during World War II, when her husband was serving in the Navy, but settled in Yakima permanently where they avidly built, bought and sold real estate and raised their family of 3 daughters. Kay was her husband’s constant companion in raising a family, working, travel and play. She also was an integral part of the community of which she contributed to tirelessly. As a member of The Women’s Century Club for 60 years she served in many positions and she and her husband were active members of the First Baptist Church, Elks Club, Charter Club and the Yakima Tennis Club. Her passions included bridge, reading, crosswords, dancing, travel abroad, road trips, annual family vacations, the mountains, nature, hiking, tennis, golf and many other outdoor activities. She and her husband built a cabin at Sun Country near Cle Elum where they enjoyed playing golf, spending time with the grandchildren and the camaraderie of friends and community for 40 years. Among our favorite recollections of Mom are figure skating in the backyard on Barge, typing Dad’s appraisal reports at lightning speed, enjoying coffee with the neighbors and intently watching PBS’s Nightly Business Report with her wine and cheese. She was independent, active, strong willed and the picture of good health and cheer all of her life. She was preceded in death by her husband, Chet Sonnabend, her parents, Lee and Grace Johnston and her sister, Grace Hallgarth. She is survived by her daughters, Sheri Schock, Kynette Sonnabend Shields, Kylee Sonnabend-Liberty and Kylee’s husband, Mick Liberty, 4 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, her sister’s husband, Howard Hallgarth and his sons, Brian Hallgarth and Bruce Hallgarth, her sister’s daughter, Camille Smith and numerous relatives on her husband’s side. A “Celebration of Life” open house reception is scheduled for Thursday, Jan 12, 1:30 – 5:30 PM at the Women’s Century Club, 304 N 2nd St. in Yakima and an additional gathering of friends and family, at another time, will be at the Sonnabend cabin, Sun Country, Cle Elum. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Women’s Century Club, Young Life of Bellevue, or a charity of your choice. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Kathryn Sonnabend, please visit our flower store.