Opal Stoop

Opal Stoop, age 101, of La Grande, died Monday at her home. A service will be held on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 7th Street.

Opal was born on July 6, 1906 in Yakima, Washington to William Wallace Bradshaw and Emma Minerva Dickenson. The family later moved to Summerville where her father was a carpenter, Warehouse man and ran a Saloon in Summerville. Opal's mother was a housewife, seamstress and a milliner (made hats). Opal has three brothers who preceded her in death, William Pearl, Stanley Clinton and Donald Dickenson. She had a sister, Hazel, who passed away at the age of 6.
Opal was married to Edgar Park Stringham and they had 2 daughters, Opal Mae "Mickey" and Aloha. Edgar passed away in 1934. Opal married John William Powell and they had a daughter, Patricia Ruth, this marriage ended in divorce. Opal later married W. Dohl Stoop who preceded her in death in 1999.

They were known for their love of dancing. People enjoyed watching them and they were a great couple.
Opal's occupations were working in an apple packing plant, truck driver dispatcher, Taxi driver, waitress, bartender and a marathon dancer, roller skater. She was well known as the "Tupperware" lady. She was also known for her fancy work as a seamstress, crocheting, embroidery and appliqué. Most of all, in later years, she was best known for her dancing.

Opal was known for having a great sense of humor and having a quick come back to those teasing her. She had a robust laugh and you always knew she was around when you heard her laugh. Opal and four other girls took off one day and decided to each get a tattoo - well Opal was the first girl to get hers and after watching the process, the other four backed out. She has a rose on one thigh and an anchor on the other. So you see Opal was cool before cool was "cool".

Opal joined the Eagles Auxiliary in 1947 and was President 5 times, she and Gus Tsiatsos always seemed to be elected together as they made a great team. She was a Past State Madam President, State Grandmother twice, State Membership chairperson and Regional secretary for 20 years as well as being Eagle of the Year in 1976. She never missed a Region #4 meeting in over 40 years. She also volunteered for Seniors March of Dimes for 15 years and worked with the Indian Festival of Arts.

Survivors include her daughters, Opal Mae "Mickey" Courtney of Perry, Aloha Botelho of Island City and Patricia Ruth Baird of Pendleton; one granddaughter; one great granddaughter; one step-great granddaughter and three great great grandchildren and other relatives and friends.
Those who wish may make contributions in her memory to the Diabetes Association.