Etta Paul booked her very last voyage when she passed away peacefully on Thanksgiving morning. Etta Zoeller was born in Helena, Montana on June 3, 1916 and moved to Seattle along with her mother Edith and brother Frank in the late 1920's. She attended Blessed Sacrament Catholic School and then Holy Angels Academy graduating in 1934. Etta worked for Bartell's Drug Store in Seattle and at a dance met the love of her life, Bill Paul of Everett. On June 1, 1938 Etta and Bill were married in St. John's Catholic Church and moved to Everett where Bill was a member of the Everett Fire Department. Their first son, Harry Mike as born in October 1941 and their second son, William Gerald, was born in January 1946. Etta was the housewife and very involved mom. She and her husband were very active in both the parent association of Perpetual Help Catholic School, where both the boys attended, and also the various guilds of the church and the local catholic women's groups. Etta was deeply involved and on the go constantly.
In the early 50's with the encouragement of a neighbor, Etta became an outside sales agent for Doug Fox of Northgate, made her first trip to Hawaii and soon established herself in the Everett/Marysville area as the person to see if you wanted that extra special personal touch in planning your travel plans. This new venture did not occupy all her time. It was during these years that Etta, with the help of her good friend Rosie Erickson, the owner of Erickson Bros Furniture in Everett, that Etta convinced the Major that hanging baskets would enhance and beautify the city. The Mayor said great, but we don't have the money. Does that sound familiar? Etta and a hard working committee enlisted the business community and the City of Everett had hanging baskets with fresh flowers all over the city. To this day the city still has these baskets.
Eatt became even more involved in the activities of the women in the Archdiocese of Seattle by becoming the President of the ACCW (Archdiocese Council of Catholic Women). not only was she president for one term but also a second and has been drafted on numeroud occasions since then to lead this influential group.
Etta and Bill had built a new home at Tulare Beach and the travel business was booming. Her husband Bill, ever the conservative, suggested that it would be better to open her own office than buy new cars. Etta opened her first office, known as Adventure House Travel, first in her home then the big move to the heart of Marysville. Though a shoestring operation things were going so well that she decided to pay herself a monthly salary, $200 per month, and even that she worried about. A second office was opened at Smokey Point and everything looked great.
Etta traveled on numerous orientation trips, she always wanted to know, in advance, what her customers could experience and she wanted to be able to answer any questions they may have.
Etta traveled to Russia, Peru, and over the Andes to Rio. She has safaried in Kenya and eaten in a tree house, she has walked where Jesus walked in Israel, and found that to be a very deeply religious experience. She has also made over 50 trips to Hawaii.
Work and travel was not all Etta did. She became a member of the Marysville Rotary and has been a member for decades promoting the ideals of Rotary and worked tirelessly in the many organizations of St. Mary's Catholic Church and our community. The Strawberry Festival has been a recipient of her talents especially the Bike Marathon, manning the shortcake booth. She sponsored trips as auction items at the Aberdeen Enchanted Forest Charity Aution, where her oldest son lives.
Etta started to slow down in her later years but was a huge supporter of the Susan Komen Breast Cancer drive as she was a triple cancer survivor. Etta was a life member of the Everett Eagles, the Catholic Daughters of America and the Young Ladies Institute.
She was preceded in death by the love of her life for 74 1/2 years, her husband and best friend Bill in January 1986 and her brother Frank in March 200, and grandson Robert Christopher Paul in 1999.
She is survived by her son's Harry (Vickie) of Aberdeen, and Jerry (Darinda) of Plentywood, Montana. Grandchildren: Whitney (Russ) Paul-Jones, Stephanie (Gordon) Barnes, John Raymond Paul, Susan (Paul) Ramos, Rene Gisler, Grat Gary and Casey Renee Paul. Great-grandchildren include: Amber, Jonathon, Serenity, Corrina, Christina, Cheyetta, Jeremy, Shonie, Christina, Hannah, Tanner, Zachery, Michael, Samantha, Dexter(Jessica), Spencer, Duncan, Morgan, Taryn, Jakob, and Erron. Four great-great grandchildren, Lylla, Lexis, Madison, and Malia.
The family especially thanks Mom's oldest granddaughter, Whitney Paul-Jones for being mom's primary care give for the last 5 1/2 years.
A celebration of her life will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 4200 88th St. NE, Marysville. Recitation of the Rosary will be held Friday at 10:30 AM at St. Mary's followed by the Celebration of Life Mass at 11:00 AM with Father Jim Dalton as celebrant. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that any donations be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer foundation in Etta's name.
Interment arrangements with Bill and other family members are entrusted to Schaefer-Shipman Funeral Home, Marysville.
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