Lucielle Mildred Perkins

Lucielle Mildred (Addington) Perkins was born on January 11, 1937, in Ford, WA, near the Reservation of the Spokane Tribe of Indians. She passed away just short of her 85th birthday on January 2, 2022, in College Place, WA. Before her recent stay there, she lived in their home north of Kettle Falls, WA, for over 20 years. She is survived by her husband, S. James Perkins, who turned 95 on November 19, 2021. James is an elder of the Lakes (Sinixt) Band of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and a World War II Era Veteran.

Lucielle’s parents were Gordon and Edna (Martzall) Addington. Her siblings: Charles, Delta, Raymond, Delbert, Alice, Melvin, Margaret, and Vernadean preceded her in death, along with three boys who died at birth. She is survived by her brothers: Vern (Glenwood, WA) and Glenn (Big Lake, AK); and her sisters-in-law, Thelma (Ford, WA) and Phyllis (Reardan, WA).

Lucielle’s sister, Delta, and James’ father, Jim, played matchmaker for the couple. The story is that “Little Red Riding Hood” (Lucielle) got scooped up in the arms of the “Big Bad Wolf” (James), and they eloped to Coeur d’ Alene, ID, on April 11, 1953. On June 30, 1953, they were married at St. Patrick’s Church in Walla Walla, WA, with Joseph and Patricia Kavanaugh as their witnesses. Their union of over 68 years produced eight children, two of whom preceded her in death: John (2018) and Miriam (2011). Their surviving children are Jim and his wife Penny (Colville, WA), Mary (Walla Walla, WA), Peter and his spouse Rick (Tucson, AZ), Andrew and his wife Rachel (Ellensburg, WA), Helen (Woodburn, OR), Mark and his wife Shelley (Cordova, TN), and John's wife Cathy Perkins. She leaves behind over 50 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

James and Lucielle began their married life in Walla Walla and then moved to Yankton, SD, where John and Jim were born, while James was working on Gavins Point Dam. From there, they moved to Burbank, CA, where Mary was born. Next, they moved to Walla Walla, where the last five children were born and raised. For five years, from 1978 - 81 and 1982 - 84, they lived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. After selling their house in Walla Walla, WA, they moved to Spokane to take care of Mark and Shelley’s children while they attended Gonzaga University. Finally, they moved to Kelly Hill to enjoy their well-deserved retirement.

Lucielle’s life revolved around children and education. She started and managed a Child Care Center in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers B-2 Compound in Saudi Arabia that grew to two buildings, numerous staff, and almost one hundred children. Also, in Saudi Arabia, she taught English to a grateful group of Korean Civil Engineers who gave her a wall hanging that she proudly displayed in her home. On the back, they wrote, “To Sir With Love.” She also served as a playground attendant at Berney and Assumption Elementary schools in Walla Walla. In addition, she sold World Book Encyclopedias door to door in Walla Walla and surrounding cities. When John’s Wheatland Bakery opened, she enthusiastically worked the counter and recruited others to work there. She also served children at Noah’s Ark.

Sewing was one of her hobbies. One of her handmade outfits was a Santa Claus suit for Peter to wear for international student parties and other events. She loved to cook for James and her family and learned lots of new Filipino and other International dishes from her friends in Saudi Arabia and Walla Walla. When visitors arrived, Lucielle would get out the cards and chips and play pinochle for hours. If someone just came to talk, she would put on a pot of coffee and was a great listener and trusted confidant. She loved learning about new places and people. Her home was always a welcoming place for neighborhood children and friends. She loved getting to hold and play with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

When the Spokane Two Rivers Casino opened, she walked in and picked out a slot machine, and said, “I am going to win the Jackpot on that one.” The third time she put in three quarters, and the lights started flashing, and the first of 5,000 quarters started to pour out of the machine. She took the money and bought airfare for herself, husband James, and son Peter to visit another son, John, and his family, in New England. While in Boston, she saw the Mariners play the Red Sox and witnessed one of the rarest feats in baseball - an unassisted triple play. Even after her first stroke in 2012, “Lucky Lucy” continued to watch baseball and play slot machines with James and win.

James took Lucielle on many trips, including Hawaii, Alaska, Kenya, Italy, Egypt, Greece, France, England, and across the United States. She loved the Oregon Coast and made many trips there. She and James believed that two of the greatest gifts they could give their children were travel and education. The third gift she wanted them to have was to share her faith. She was a convert to the Catholic faith and gave generously to many charities. A highlight of her travels was getting to shake the hand of Pope John Paul II at the Vatican. Lucielle served as a past Regent of the Walla Walla St. Cecelia Chapter of the Catholic Daughters of America. She also taught CCD classes and volunteered her time with the Altar Society at Assumption of the BVM Church.

Lucielle was proud of her Irish ancestry and loved it when she finally got to visit Ireland. One of her favorite Irish sayings was, “The road rises up to meet you…” When Walter Cronkite broke into her favorite daytime show, “As The World Turns,” on November 22, 1963, she was deeply saddened to hear of the assassination of the first Irish Catholic President, John F. Kennedy.

A viewing and visitation will be held from 10 am to 6 pm at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home in Walla Walla, WA, on Friday, January 14, 2022. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at Assumption Church in Walla Walla at 12:30 pm on Saturday, January 15, 2022, followed by a Funeral Mass officiated by Father Matthew Nicks at 1 pm. There will be a lunch in the Parish Hall following the service.

Interment at the Mountain View Cemetery in Colville, WA, will be on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at 1 pm. Danekas Funeral Chapel in Colville is in charge and has more details and photos of her life: https://www.danekasfuneralchapel.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to Walla Walla Catholic Charities or St. Josephs Indian School of Sioux City, Iowa, through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362.
Family and friends are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.