Ethel Kathleen Kemp-Slaughter

The youngest daughter of Percy and Alice Kemp, Ethel was born in Forest Idaho, on March 21, 1919 and moved to Prosser, Washington as an infant, where she was raised. Her father had come west from England in 1903 at the encouragement of his Uncle Ezra Kemp, prominent Eastern Washington pioneer, who arrived in Washington Territory in 1882 settling in Prosser. Percy returned to England in 1911 to marry Alice Ann Price and brought his young bride west.

Ethel's father owned The Kemp Sheep Company in Idaho and Bonnie Brae Ranch in Prosser. The family's pioneer contributions are commemorated in The Kemp Memorial Window at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Taylor and Kemp Flour Mill Historical Marker along Yakima River and Kemp Building Historical Marker, all located in Prosser.

Ethel graduated from Prosser High School in 1939 with National Honor Society Membership and Central Washington University in 1942. Upon graduation, she began her thirty-three year teaching career in White Swan, where she met her husband, Hugh James Madison Adams Slaughter, whose family had come West from The South in the late 19th century pioneering Grandview, Washington. Ethel and Hugh were married on June 20, 1943 at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Prosser and had two sons, James Edward Kemp-Slaughter and Michael Hugh Kemp-Slaughter.

While Hugh was serving in The Pacific during World War II, Ethel moved to the village of Bellevue in 1945 where she taught, prior to moving to Seattle Public Schools. She continued her education at Seattle Pacific University and The University of Washington. Her sons James and Michael gave her a retirement party at The Washington Athletic Club when she retired in 1982 before she left on an extended trip to England, The Orient and Australia. Travel was one of Ethel's great loves and she traveled throughout the world for many years from the time her sons were little boys, firmly believing that travel was part of their education. A memorable event on a 2004 trip to England was an invitation to Buckingham Palace for a Royal Garden Party. In 1988 Ethel had been presented to Queen Elizabeth II at Governor Spellman's reception at the Westin Hotel, Seattle.

A longtime Queen Anne Hill resident, Ethel was featured in a 2004 article by Linda of London as a Queen Anne Grand Dame. Linda Greenwald did a series of articles on Queen Anne Grand Dames and they were all friends of Ethel's.

An avid card player, she loved playing bridge and pinochle with friends at home, Women's University Club, and The Nuckle Heads Pinochle Club.

In 2014, the Emerald Downs Racetrack named a Race in honor of Ethel’s 95th birthday. Palm Springs was always a favorite winter destination and Ethel enjoyed celebrating her birthday with cousins and friends from all over the world. In March, Ethel celebrated her landmark 100th birthday with family and dear friends in Seattle.

She was a longtime member of The Women's University Club, The English Speaking Union, Queen Anne Guild of Children's Hospital, Order of The Eastern Star, Benton County Historical Society and the Episcopal Church.

At the time of Mrs. Percy Kemp's (her mother) death, "The Prosser Record Bulletin" stated: “a lady of sweet and gentle disposition, had won a special place in the hearts of all who knew her,” which may certainly be said of her daughter, Ethel.

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents, Percy & Alice, brother Walter Percy; sister Amy Elizabeth; husband Hugh, and son Michael Hugh. She is survived by her son, James Edward Kemp-Slaughter of Yakima, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends in England, Canada, Australia, Cyprus and throughout the United States.

At her request, there will be no service with Interment at the Kemp-Slaughter plot in Lake View Cemetery, Seattle, and the Ezra Kemp plot in Prosser.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 828, Prosser, Washington 99350 or Seattle Branch of the English Speaking Union Scholarship Fund.

“The Fight is Over, The Battle Won.”