February 16, 1923 – June 21, 2018
Vi Sacquitne peacefully passed away as she had so wanted to do – at home, with family, a rosary in her hand, and with “no complaints.” She and her husband, Marvin “Stan” Sacquitne, moved to Mercer Island in 1947. Together they built their first home on the property where the Ellsworth House apartments are located on 76th Avenue. In 1957 they built their second home on the island above Island Crest Way on SE 36th Street. They lived there for more than 40 years before moving to the island’s Shorewood Apartments. Stan passed away in 2007, and Vi had been living with her oldest son, Bob, at Parc Mercer on Mercer Island.
Vi was born Viola Lizia (Lucy) Mareck on a farm in Albany, Minn., the youngest of 10 children. Her mother died within days afterward; so, her Aunt Mary became her “Ma” and raised her until she was needed on the farm when she was 10. For the next 8 years, she got to better know her siblings, and learned the day-to-day aspects of working and then running a farm household, from cooking to cleaning to canning and gardening – all skills she continued to use throughout her life.
When she was 18, Vi moved from Albany to Minneapolis where she had several jobs, including as an elevator operator. She also developed a pen-pal relationship with the nephew of a co-worker from Iowa – a Navy sailor stationed in Alaska. After 2 years of corresponding, Vi met her sailor, Stan, in Minneapolis in March 1944 when he was on leave prior to his new assignment in Seattle. They became engaged, were married in Seattle, September 2, 1944, and decided to make Washington State their adopted home after Stan was discharged in 1947.
Family was always Vi’s top priority. Nothing pleased her more than having family around her, including many “adopted” members who considered her their “mom.” Being part of a family gathering with everyone visiting and enjoying being together just made her smile more than ever. As she frequently, said, “I have no complaints. I am blessed.”
Besides raising her own family, Vi had a home day care service for 20 years. During those years, numerous children considered her their “Grandma Vi” as she cared for them from infancy to kindergarten. She then spent close to 20 years working in various kitchens in Mercer Island schools and often shared stories about young people she saw in school who’d she’d cared for during her day care years.
Vi and Stan were founding members of St. Monica Catholic Church. From its beginning in November 1958, Vi was actively involved in the parish for many years.
Vi is survived by her 5 children: sons, Bob and Joe (Rhonda); daughters, Mary Alice Binder, Bernadette Schneider (Eric), Anne Sacquitne; 6 grandchildren, Carmen McDermott (Doug), Riann Chapman (Christopher), Leslie Marks (Jeremiah), Jessica Sacquitne, Jacob Sacquitne (Elysia), Pat Schneider (Ma); 4 great-grandsons, Dylan and Brennan McDermott and Tristan and Merrick Marks; and, a large extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Stan; son-in-law, Don Binder; grandson, Jeff Schneider; and, her parents and brothers and sisters.
A very special thank you to the Kaiser Permanente Hospice team members, Family Resource Home Care staff and caregivers, and special family friends who all worked to ensure Vi could remain at home. Their loving support and guidance are treasured gifts.
Services will be at St. Monica Catholic Church, Friday, July 27. Beginning at 11:00 a.m. in the parish family center, there will be a gathering time for family and friends. A rosary will start at 11:50 a.m. in the church followed immediately by a Mass, and then a reception in the family center. A private interment will be at Tahoma National Cemetery, Maple Valley, Wash.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: St. Monica Parish (For: Endowment – Vi Sacquitne), 4301 88th Ave. SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040. Donations will go to St. Monica School.
Online guest book at: www.butterworthfuneralhome.com.
