Remembering the recently deceased in the Archdiocese of Seattle.


Kateri Otani

TACOMA — Kateri Ramona Otani of Tacoma died Dec 28, 2023, in Tacoma. She was 97.

Born Dec. 3, 1923, in Seattle, she was of Irish and Yakama Indian heritage. She legally changed her name to Kateri to honor her Native American heritage.

A homemaker and hospital housekeeper, she had 11 children.

She was a member of St. Leo Parish in Tacoma and the St. Kateri Circle there. Her life was devoted to her faith, the Kateri Circle, her family and her church family. She is remembered for having a positive influence on all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William J. Otani, sons Patrick and John, and a baby who died before birth

She is survived by her sons William and Anthony; daughters Kathy, Judith, Jacqueline, Carol, Mary and Patti; 19 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

The rosary will be recited at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 28, followed by a 3 p.m. funeral Mass, both at St. Leo Church in Tacoma.

Interment will be at St. Patrick Cemetery in Kent.

Sister ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Florence Poch

ASTON, Penn. — Franciscan Sister ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Florence Leone Poch died Jan. 7, 2024, at St. Joseph Care Center in Spokane. She was 94.

Born Donna Lee Poch in Fairfax, Pierce County, she was a member of Visitation Parish in Tacoma. After graduating from St. Leo High School in Tacoma, she entered the congregation of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia in 1948 and professed her first vows in 1950. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and social science from Marylhurst College in Oregon.

A member of the congregation for 74 years, Sister Florence ministered primarily in education and spiritual ministry in the Diocese of Spokane. She also taught in San Diego and Oregon. After moving to the St. Joseph Care Center in Spokane, she served in prayer ministry until her death.

She is survived by a niece, a nephew and her Franciscan family.

A prayer vigil will be at 6 p.m. Jan. 25 at St. Charles Church in Spokane. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Jan. 26 at the church, followed by a reception. Afterward, interment of ashes will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Spokane.

Memorial donations can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.

As a free service to the Catholic community, Northwest Catholic posts online the obituaries of Catholics whose funerals are held in parishes in the Archdiocese of Seattle or at Catholic cemeteries in the archdiocese. Submit an obituary here.