Alma Zoretic

Age 68, died December 12, 2004 after a valiant battle against cancer. Surrounded by family and loved ones, she spent her last hours in peace and comfort.

Alma was born February 10, 1936 in Manchester, England to Frederick and Florence Elphick. The oldest of five children, Alma grew up enduring the hardships of World War II. When Alma was only 12, her mother died of tuberculosis, forcing Alma to take on many of the responsibilities of caring for her younger siblings.

Alma later married David Haynes, a U.S. Air Force soldier, and had their son Paul in 1953. The couple then moved back to David's hometown of Boise, Idaho, where they welcomed a second son, David, in 1956.

After their divorce, Alma was a single mother for several years and supported her young sons working as a seamstress in West Seattle. She was homesick for her family in England, and was overjoyed when her sisters June and Rita later joined her in Seattle.

It was at Lake Sammamish Park that Alma met the love of her life, Max Zoretic. The two were married in 1963 and moved with Paul and David to their current home in Mountlake Terrace, where Max and Alma had two more sons, Daniel and Michael. The home became a gathering place for the kids and their friends, with pool parties, basketball games and other activities taking place on an almost daily basis.

Max and Alma were married for over 40 years and shared a love and commitment to each other that has set a shining example for their entire family. They seemed to be joined at the hip and loved traveling, even if they didn't have any particular destination in mind. Favorite trips included Alta Lake in Okanogan County and the Oregon Coast, where they loved to shop for furniture and knick-knacks, and maybe squeeze in a round of golf or two. In recent years, they also made several trips to England, Australia and Hawaii.

In addition to taking care of her husband, Alma cherished her role as a doting mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt. She was always thinking of her family and would do anything to help those in need. She also touched and improved the lives of countless other people and will be fondly remembered by all who had the privilege to know her.

Alma is survived by her brothers Warren and Fred, sister Rita and husband Marvin Childers, and sons Paul Haynes and wife Christina, David Haynes and wife Kimberly, Daniel Zoretic and wife Marcia, and Michael Zoretic and wife Yvonne. She was also blessed with 11 grandchildren: Christine, Jason, Robin, Katie, Julie, Garrett, Daniel, Marielle, Ashley, Katharine, and Caroline April 2005, and great-grandchildren Patrick, Alexis, Jacob and a baby girl to be born in 2005.

A memorial service will be held at Esperance Baptist Church, 7812 224th St. SW in Edmonds, Washington on Saturday, December 18th at 1:00 p.m. The family requests that any donations be made in Alma's name to the American Cancer Society.