Edna Erfe

She graduated from Baguio City High School in Baguio, Philippines on April 19, 1951, and went on to St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing, Manila, Philippines where she earned her R.N. on March 20, 1954.

Her first job as an R.N. was in Sagada, Philippines, a mountainous area that was lush jungle at the time. St. Theadora’s Hospital in Sagada did not have electricity, and surgical lighting was powered by generators. From there, Edna traveled across the U.S. and then Canada working as a nurse in many cities including time as an R.N. at a First Nation serving hospital outside of Vancouver, BC. She retired from nursing in 1993 from Tacoma General Hospital.

On April 28, 1972, she married the love of her life, Filomeno Erfe, in Redwood City, CA.

Though well-traveled, Edna owned homes in San Francisco, CA where she met her husband Filomeno and had her two daughters. She also lived in Bremerton, WA and settled in Port Orchard, WA where she raised her family. Her last residence was in Renton, WA where she lived with her youngest daughter, son-in-law, two grandsons, dogs, and reptiles.

Edna was a long-time member of St. Bede’s Episcopal Church where she was an active member of the Altar Guild, Daughters of the King, and regularly supported Family Kitchen. She volunteered whenever needed and loved her church family.

Edna was also an active member of Benguet Ifugao Bontoc Apayao/Abra Kalinga (BIBAK) of the Pacific Northwest. Many of her extended relatives were and are also members. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, she often provided invocations at event openings. Edna learned from her parents and continued with her BIBAK family the traditions of the indigenous Cordillera Mountain people and blended them seamlessly with Christianity.

Edna was also a member of the United Ilocanos of Puget Sound in Kitsap County with her husband Fil. Together they also supported other Pilipino clubs in the area.

She was happiest in her garden. Edna grew flowers, berries, vegetables alongside her husband who grew grapes and fruit trees. From the literal fruits of her labor Edna made jams and jellies that she shared with friends and family. Blueberry muffins were a breakfast staple throughout the year as she froze what could not be eaten during summer. Rhubarb sweets and zucchini bread were other family favorites.

Edna enjoyed traveling. As a single nurse, she went on many day trips with friends in Canada and long road trips throughout the East and South of the United States. She and her husband traveled to the Philippines regularly after they both retired. They also enjoyed road trips with their friends. Edna also traveled with her high school alumni group to San Francisco for reunions. She visited the Holy Land with some of her St. Bede’s family and her younger sister Judy. Edna also visited her daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren at various stages of their lives in Alabama, California, Colorado, New York, South Carolina, and Virginia.

As a young child Edna learned knitting, crochet, weaving, sewing, and other crafts. She practiced her creativity throughout her life making sweaters and vests for her children and blankets for grandchildren and great grandchildren. When there was a sewing project at church, Edna was there with supplies in hand and ready to participate.

Family and friends describe Edna as kind, generous, nurturing, warm, quiet, faithful, and loyal. She only cussed occasionally and, even then, it was with purpose.

She is survived by her children Caroline (Tim) and Katherine (Allen); her grandchildren Karl (Emily), David (Monica), Tomi (Jack), Elvis, Donnie, Vincent, & Alex (Amanda), and Rylie, Alec, & Zachary; her great-grandchildren Keira, Arden, & Carter, Isaiah, Elijah, & Thomas, and Henry & Theo; her sisters Judy, Esperanza, and Joan. She is preceded in death by her husband Filomeno; her siblings Elmer Jr., Ebert, Faith, Sherwin, Roy, Oliver, & Thelia; her nephews and nieces Archie, Charles, Jaqueline, and Ronald & Eloise.

A wake for Edna will be held on May 6 at Miller-Woodlawn Funeral Home and a Celebration of Life Church Service will be held at St. Bede’s Episcopal Church on May 13. Miller-Woodlawn Funeral Home is handling arrangements and interment at Tahoma National Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to: St. Bede’s Episcopal Church, PO BOX 845, Port Orchard, WA 98366 or BIBAK of the PNW, c/o Nibu Sarol, 19014 106th Ave CT E, Puyallup, WA 98374.