Remembering the recently deceased in the Archdiocese of Seattle

Sister Maria de Jesus Ybarra, OPSEATTLE

Sister Maria de Jesus Ybarra, a Dominican Sister of Tacoma, died May 2 at St. Joseph Residence. She was 86.

She was born in Edinburg, Texas, and moved with her family to Eastern Washington in 1950.

The focus of her work was Hispanic ministry. She was known locally, nationally and internationally. For many years she worked in the Office for Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Yakima.

A funeral Mass was celebrated May 9 at Mount St. Vincent Chapel.

Sister Ellen Joan (Josephine) Duffy, SNJMSPOKANE

Sister Ellen Duffy, a member of the Sisters of Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, died May 1 at Hospice House in Spokane. She was 87.

She was born in Spokane. She joined the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary in 1947 and made vows in 1949 as Sister M. Ellen Joan. She began teaching middle grades then high school, and advanced to elementary school principal and then assistant superintendent of education for the Diocese of Spokane. Within the Archdiocese of Seattle, she taught at St. Anne in Seattle and St. Frances Cabrini and St. Patrick in Tacoma. She earned an M.A. from Catholic University and principal’s credentials from Gonzaga University.

In 1983 she was chosen to be the treasurer for the Province of Washington for her religious congregation. In 1990 she entered a clinical pastoral education program and discovered her love of chaplaincy, especially with the elderly.

Even in retirement she never stopped working. She maintained an interest in people, her community and the world around her. She loved to read, tell stories and play bridge.

She is survived by many nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass was celebrated May 9 at the Convent of the Holy Names.

Ann Schweitzer MoserAUBURN

Ann Moser, a member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Federal Way, died of a stroke on April 25. She was 75.

She was born in Edgeley, North Dakota, and moved to Washington state as a young woman. She attended Holy Rosary School in West Seattle. She worked as a non-foods manager at Lucky Foods and at Daisy Patch Flower Shop before retiring in 1990.

She volunteered at her parish as an altar server and helped with cleaning the church and Vincentians catering. She enjoyed dancing, floral arranging and crafts.

She is survived by her husband, Peter Moser; sons, Terry, Pete and Jeff; daughters, Claudia Lowman and Julie Printz; 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A funeral Mass was celebrated May 8 at St. Vincent de Paul Church.

Benita Laude NebresKIRKLAND

Benita Nebres, a member of Holy Family Parish, died April 28 of cancer. She was 78.

She was born in Atimonan, Quezon, Philippines, and moved to Washington state 27 years ago. She worked as an accountant.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Diosdado Nebres.

Survivors include her sons, Diosdado Jr. and Oscar; daughters, Nenette, Julie, Maribelle and Sister Annie Nebres; and two grandchildren.

A funeral Mass was celebrated May 6 at Holy Family Parish.

Brian Franklin SullivanSEATTLE

Brian Sullivan died Jan. 28. He was 27.

He was born in Gastonia, North Carolina, and moved to Seattle in 2005. He attended Nathan Hale High School and the Culinary School at Seattle Central Community College. He worked as a professional cook.

He is survived by his parents, Paul and Janice Sullivan of Seattle; and his sister, Monica Sullivan of Gastonia, North Carolina.