Seattle

With great sorrow Ralph Meenach announces the passing of his beloved wife, Claudia Celeste Meenach. Celeste has courageously battled cancer for two years. Blessedly and as she had wished, Celeste passed away peacefully, Monday afternoon March 20, 2006, surrounded by her loving husband Ralph, family and friends at her side. Claudia Celeste Meenach was born May 9, 1927 in Puyallup, WA to Dr. Chauncey and Hazel Sawyer. She grew up in Puyallup, WA on the WSU Experiment Station where her father was a veterinary poultry pathologist and station director. She attended Puyallup High where she was cheer queen. Upon graduation she attended both PLU and WSU where she was affiliated with the Delta Delta Delta sorority. After college she moved to West Seattle where she raised her three sons and began a career in banking. In 1981, Celeste moved to East Wenatchee marrying Ralph Meenach on August 29, 1981, at Lake Chelan. She enjoyed playing tennis, golf and traveling with husband Ralph, but her greatest joy came in helping others. She was known throughout the community for comforting the ill and grieving and many who knew her best considered her an angel in their midst.

She is survived by her husband, Ralph at home; three sons, Douglas Ruffin of Olympia, Gregg Ruffin of Portland, Blake (Suzanne) Ruffin of Seattle; step-sons, Matthew (Carolyn) Meenach of East Wenatchee, Phil (Jeanne) Meenach of Quincy; step-daughter, Mitzi (Alex) Steele of San Marcos, CA; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild; younger sister, Janet (Douglas) Robison of Mill Creek, WA; nieces, Elaine Robison of Seattle, Kris Hoffman of Olympia. She was preceded in death by her father, Dr. Chauncey Sawyer; mother, Hazel Sawyer; older sister, Joanne Sawyer.

Services for Celeste Meenach will be held Saturday April 8, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Wenatchee. Reception will follow at the Wenatchee Golf & Country Club in East Wenatchee. Celeste's wish is for donations to be made to OUR HOUSE, Wenatchee.