Alta E. Hughes

Alta Elizabeth "Sunny" Hughes August 23, 1925 ~ June 2, 2015 Sunny was born August 23, 1925, in Roseburg, OR and she was joined by her sister, Gladys, four years later. Her early years were spent between Washington and Oregon and it was in her high school years that she came to live in Lake Stevens, WA. At an early age, Alta earned the nickname "Sunny" for her bright personality, blonde hair, sense of adventure and mischievous nature, a name that stuck throughout her life. Sunny was 18 and working at the Soundview Pulp Mill in Everett, WA when she met and married Fred Miller. They had three sons, Ronald, David and Robert, and they continued living in the Lake Stevens area. Camping, hiking, hunting, gardening, canning, cub scouts, little league, church and skiing kept the family very busy. Fred was a second generation Longshoreman and worked out of Everett. They divorced in 1963 and she married Richard Hughes in 1967. Dick and Sunny moved to Longview, WA, where they raised Dick's two children, Jamie and Rick. Later, they built a home in Vader, WA, at the crux of two rivers. This Vader home was her sanctuary, her nest, the place she loved with her whole heart. Sunny spent many joyous years in her Vader. Walking, gardening and pursuing her love of the Arts were some of her favorite pastimes. Dick passed away in 1992 and, in 2006, Sunny moved to Olympia, WA, where she fell in love with the Harbor. She enjoyed being in the outdoors, whether it be the mountains, forest or the sea. It was in Olympia that she started writing poetry, a love and passion that stayed with her. She has had two poetry books published and the third is in the makings. She joined Olympia Fusion Critique group, Olympia Poetry Network and was a participant/supporter of Hypatia in the Woods. Sunny loved to travel and throughout her life she was able to visit Greece, backpacked through Europe when she was in her 70's, and took various trips with Elderhostel, including a trip to Spain. In 2009, Sunny moved to Wenatchee, WA to be close to her family and to meet her first great-grandchild. During her years spent in the Wenatchee Valley, she continued to pursue her art, joined Cascade Unitarian Fellowship, wrote the majority of her poetry and explored the beauty of the Valley with her young great-grandchildren and family by her side. She soon fell in love with the sage brush mountains and rivers and found that this valley was her home. Sunny easily made friends everywhere she went. She took up pottery at Wenatchee Valley College and joined up with Write on The River, where she read her poetry at the quarterly public events. Throughout her life it was always German Shepherds that were by her side, so it was with great astonishment to the family when she adopted her cat, Zorro. He was faithful to the end, supplying her with love, laughter and frustration. Sunny was a woman of influence and great feeling. For many years she was a Hospice volunteer, delivered Meals on Wheels and was a child's advocate through CASA. Sunny was brave and adventurous. She piloted a Cessna, took the helm on a tug boat, and drove with the pedal to the metal. She marched with her son, Ron, in the WTO Seattle demonstration, was a member of the Everett Mountaineers and summited several mountains throughout Washington State. She lived life to the fullest and was always eager for adventure. Considering herself a non-conformist, she loved Emma Goldman's quote and repeated it often: "If I can't dance, I do not want to be part of your revolution." Full of spirit and passion, Sunny was a woman who played hard, worked hard, fought hard for what she believed and loved to the fullest. Sunny was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; her sister, Gladys; her eldest son, Ron; and her grandson, Scott. Sunny is survived by her half sister, Jeannette Sullivan of Leavenworth, WA; sons and daughters-in-law, David and Jeannine Miller of Chico, CA, Bob and Susan Miller of Leavenworth, and Barb Miller of Snohomish, WA; grandsons, Corey Miller of Marysville, WA and Larren and Jared Miller of Leavenworth; granddaughters, Kimberly and husband, Bobby Beason of Cashmere, WA, Tara Miller of Charleston, SC, and Rachelle Miller of San Diego, CA; and two great-grandchildren, Naomi and Benjamin Beason of Cashmere. A Memorial Service to celebrate her life is being held Sunday, June 28, 2015, at 3:00 p.m. at Cascade Unitarian Church, 1550 Sunset Highway, East Wenatchee. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Cascade Unitarian Fellowship, East Wenatchee, or Hypatia in the Woods, Olympia. Arrangements are assisted by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

Alta E. Hughes

August 23, 1925 - June 2, 2015