Obituary of Olive D. Scornaienchi

Olive D. Scornaienchi Beloved wife, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, and friend Olive (Benwick) Scornaienchi was born on October 29, 1919 in Ontario, Oregon. Her childhood years were spent primarily in NW Oregon and SW Washington. She graduated from Castle Rock High School in 1937 and entered the Northwest School for Commerce. Upon graduation from business school she worked at Montgomery Ward in Longview. After World War II broke out she started working in civilian personnel at Mt. Rainier Ordinance Depot and later at McCord Airfield Base and Ft. Lewis. It was during her years at Ft. Lewis that she met her future husband, John Scornaienchi. John drove the carpool to Ft. Lewis, and Olive often commented that it was John's safe driving (along with his rugged good looks) that first attracted her to him. John and Olive were married on August 14, 1949 and enjoyed 54 years together before John passed away in 2002. John and Olive were not only partners in marriage, they were partners in business as well. Olive left her job in personnel at Rhodes Department Store in 1953 to work side by side with John at Oakland Radio and TV, a business they owned until their retirement in 1982. Before and after retirement they enjoyed belonging to two dance clubs, traveling, and being a special aunt and uncle to their 10 nieces and nephews. They also enjoyed the company of their dogs. Olive was an active member of Kiwanis, the Association for Retarded Citizens, and the Ladies of the Elks. One of her favorite pastimes after she retired was playing pinnacle at the Fircrest Senior Center and at Pt. Defiance Village where she lived after having lived over 50 years in Fircrest. Olive passed away on August 29th, surrounded by many of her nieces and nephews who loved her so much. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John, and her brother Eric. She is survived by her sister Mary Forseth of San Mateo, CA, brother in law George Scornaienchi, 10 nieces and nephews, 14 great nieces and nephews, one great-great nephew, and one great-great niece. A viewing will take place at Piper Morley Chapel (253-472-3353) from noon until 7pm on Thursday, Sept 2nd. Her funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Rita's Catholic Church, 1401 South Ainsworth Avenue, Tacoma, WA, on Friday, Sept. 3rd, 2010 at 10:30am. Donations in her memory may be made to St. Rita's Catholic Church or Multi Care Hospice, PO Box 5200, Tacoma, WA 98415.