Frances Korpi Palsson
August 5, 1926 – July 3, 2019
Frances Palsson
Frances Palsson passed away in Shoreline, Washington after a long series of illnesses.
Born as Frances Elisabeth Korpi to Matt and Anna Korpi, Frances grew up in the Finnish community of Astoria, Oregon where she worked in the once-thriving salmon canneries along the Columbia River. Frances first spoke Finnish at home and learned English from her friends and school.
Frances graduated from Astoria High School in 1944 and soon after moved to San Francisco, California where she married Filip Palsson in 1949. They had three children, the late Andrea Palsson Bruce, the late Ralph Palsson, and Wayne Palsson.
Frances worked in the billing office of Bob Ostrow/John Morrell Meats for 26 years, retiring in 1991. During that time, she was a proud member of the United Food & Commercial Workers (Butcher’s) Union Local 115.
She, her daughter Andrea, and son-in-law William Bruce moved to Shelton, Washington in 2005, and Frances made Seattle her residence in 2011 with her son Wayne and daughter-in-law Jean Geiger.
She was devoted to her children, loved her cats, knitted fine afghans and sweaters, and still could speak Finn throughout her life with her close friend, the late Eleanor Leppinen.
Frances is survived by her loving son Wayne Palsson, her grandson Nils Palsson and great-granddaughter Satya Rose Palsson.
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We were privileged to get to know Frances toward the end of her life. Frances was our sister’s roommate at Park Ridge Care Center so we saw her every day. We were happy to help Frances in small ways, such as reaching things for her, and she was so appreciative. She would often tell us “I am 93, you know!” (Exaggerating her age by a few months). She tried to teach us and also the PRCC staff a few words of Finnish. Things like “thank you.” The staff loved Frances, she was understanding of their duties for other patients and appreciative when they helped her. As we got to know Frances better, she sometimes talked about her childhood. We think that her experience of speaking a different language as a child helped her empathize with the many immigrant staff members who helped her. We miss Frances’s sweet smile and friendly manner.