Remembering the recently deceased in the Archdiocese of Seattle.


Celso Ramirez

PUYALLUP – Celso Ramirez of Puyallup died Feb. 14, 2024, in Puyallup. He was 73.

Born April 17, 1950, in Masbate, Philippines, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in animal husbandry. He married Isidra Ramirez on Jan. 19, 1979, in Milagros, Masbate, Philippines.

He moved to Puyallup 22 years ago and worked as lead driver for Avis Rental, retiring in 2020.

A member of All Saints Parish in Puyallup, he enjoyed carpentry, car repair and electronics.

He is survived by his wife Isidra, daughters Suzette and Maricel Ramirez, brother Domingo Ramirez Jr., and sisters Rosario, Nora, Angelita and Norminda.

A funeral Mass will be at 8:30 a.m. March 4 at All Saints Church in Puyallup.

Interment will be at 11 a.m. March 4 at Gethsemane Cemetery in Federal Way.

Sister Catherine Prendergast, OP

SEATTLE – Dominican Sister Catherine Prendergast (Mary Benedict) died Jan. 26, 2024, at St. Joseph Residence in West Seattle. She was 89.

She was born July 18, 1934, in Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland, to William and Mary (Galvin) Prendergast. She had two brothers and two sisters.

Sister Catherine had a long history of ministry in Washington and in California during her 69 years as a member of the Dominican Sisters of Tacoma.

She taught primarily in Bellingham, Seattle and California, including 10 years as a teacher at Holy Rosary High School in West Seattle and five years as co-principal of Garces Memorial High School in Bakersfield, California.

She served on her congregation’s leadership team from 1969 to 1975 and was president from 1979 to 1983.

In 1983, she took a sabbatical to Texas that included studying conversational Spanish in El Paso and theology studies at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio.

Afterward, Sister Catherine began a long-term ministry at Holy Spirit Parish in Kent, where she was part of the adult education team, prepared liturgical ministers and helped build community.

In 1993, she began serving at St. Ann Parish in Tacoma, where she was a pastoral associate responsible for coordinating the RCIA program among several parishes. Working with culturally diverse faith communities was an unforgettable experience for her.

Sister Catherine retired from active ministry in 2004, but continued in volunteer ministry, including literacy tutoring at Tacoma Community House and tirelessly working against human trafficking. 

She will be remembered for promoting justice through educational outreach and advocacy, dedication to her ministry and community and her hospitality, compassion and sense of humor.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 22, 2024, at St. Joseph Residence in Seattle. Burial was Feb. 26, 2024, at Calvary Cemetery in Tacoma.

Memorial donations may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 935 Fawcett Ave., Tacoma, WA 98402.

Sister Cecilia Flores, OP

SEATTLE – Dominican Sister Cecilia Flores (Mary Francene) died Dec. 17, 2023, at St. Joseph Residence in Seattle. She was 93.

She was born May 23, 1930, in Bakersfield, California, to Mariano Flores and Porfina Romero Flores.

She graduated in 1948 from Garces Memorial High School in Bakersfield and entered the Dominican Sisters of Tacoma that July. She made her first profession in 1950 and her final profession in 1953.

She attended Tacoma Catholic College and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Central Washington State College.

Sister Cecilia ministered in Washington and California for more than 60 years. Her teaching assignments included St. Mary School in Centralia, Holy Rosary School in Seattle, Bakersfield’s St. Francis Grade School and Garces Memorial High School from 1950 to 1960, and Yakima Central Catholic High School from 1960 to 1966. 

Sister Cecilia was committed to Hispanic ministry and children. From 1969 to 1974, she was involved with Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos orphanage in Mexico. She returned to the Northwest in 1974, working in the Sunnyside School District until 1980 and in Hispanic ministry for the Diocese of Yakima from 1980 to 1985.

She moved to San Ysidro, California, where she lived in community with two other sisters and worked at Casa Familiar, a social service and education entity. In 2011, she retired to St. Joseph Residence in Seattle.

She is survived by her sister Marian Flores Wilson and numerous nieces and nephews.

A vigil service was held Dec. 28, 2023, followed by a Mass of Resurrection on Dec. 29, 2023, both at St. Joseph Residence. 

Memorial donations may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 935 Fawcett Ave., Tacoma, WA 98402.

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.