Katherine "Kitty" Mary Louise Bretelle

Katherine Mary Louise "Kitty" Bretelle, age 98, of Union, died June 24, 2005. Date and time of service will be announced later.

Mrs. Bretelle was born on December 27, 1906, to James and Elizabeth Taylor in Mt. Lehman, British Columbia, Canada and raised on the family's dairy farm which her grandparents had settled as pioneers. She began taking piano lessons at age 5, studying classical music while keeping her love of playing jazz a secret from her strict teachers. She later received a certificate from the Royal Academy of Music in Canada. In 1928 she married Ted Bretelle and the couple later moved to Washington. She and Ted, a drummer, played for many years in various clubs in the Olympia area. Mrs. Bretelle was a hospital volunteer during World War II. In 1948 she moved to Union and began giving piano lessons to area students as well as providing a music program for Keating's one room school. She played for many funerals and weddings throughout the area and playing at weddings of former students was always a special occasion. In 1993, Mrs. Bretelle served as grand marshall for the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show. Her favorite pastime was fishing and at the slightest suggestion, she had her lunch and fishing gear packed and was ready to head for a stream or lake.

Mrs. Bretelle is survived by her son, Gordon of Union; two grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Two brothers, Harry and Gordon, died earlier.