Remembering the recently deceased in the Archdiocese of Seattle


Robert L. Rassilyer

Robert Leslie “Bob” Rassilyer of Seattle died October 3, 2021, in Normandy Park. He was 77.

Born January 18, 1944, in Seattle to Claude and Ellen (Ramsden) Rassilyer, he was the second of five children. He attended St. George School and Cleveland High School. After graduating, he served in the Air Force from 1962 to 1966 at Larson Air Force Base in Moses Lake, supporting plane maintenance.

He often worked in material service roles during his career, including in health care at Cabrini Hospital and later Swedish Medical Center First Hill, as a supervisor of the Materials Service Center. He retired in 2009.

He was a longtime member of St. James Cathedral, where he met his future wife, Ada Fung, after she unknowingly sat in his regular seat at the Saturday vigil Mass. They were married at St. James Cathedral on May 23, 1981, and raised six children on Beacon Hill. His faith was central to the way he lived and how he and Ada raised their family. They worked hard and made sacrifices to send all their children to Catholic schools — Villa Academy, Seattle Preparatory School and Seattle University.

He also served as an usher at the 8 a.m. Sunday Mass at St. James Cathedral.

He was known for his jovial spirit, patience, kindness, jokes and witty comments, and generosity to family, friends and strangers. He was a man at peace because of his faith. He found joy in family gatherings and celebrations and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Ada Wai Ling Rassilyer; sons Bryce (Cynthia) Rassilyer and Blake (Amanda) Rassilyer; daughters Renee (Shawn) Rassilyer-Bomers, Angela (Travis) Greenfield, Brigitte (Jeffrey) Krier and Brianna (Robert) Miller; brother Ronald Rassilyer; sisters Sharon “Shoo” (Dave) Elverum, Celeste Halford and MaryAnn (Bill) Haines; and 16 grandchildren.

A rosary was recited November 7 at Yahn and Son Funeral Home in Auburn, followed by a funeral Mass November 8 at St. James Cathedral. Burial was at Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery in Federal Way.


Marie Torrance

 Marie Therese Torrance of Kirkland died of cancer November 11, 2021, in Kirkland. She was 86. 

Born March 12, 1935, in Dubuque, Iowa, she was raised by her mother, Gertrude Murphy, in the mining town of Wallace, Idaho. She lived in Washington state for 68 years, earning a bachelor’s degree from Seattle University and later a master’s degree in education from Central Washington University. 

She raised her five sons as a single mother. She worked for the University of Washington for 24 years, primarily as a manager of student food services, including food services for student athletes, and later in the student financial aid office. She retired in 1993. 

During her career at the UW, she met real estate broker and Husky booster John Torrance. They were married in July 1989 in Kirkland and enjoyed traveling the world together.  

A member of Holy Family Parish in Kirkland, she was known for her love, compassion, wisdom and calm, no-nonsense attitude. 

She was preceded in death by her mother, Gertrude Murphy. She is survived by her husband, John Torrance; sons Kevin (Heidi) O’Connor, Colin O’Connor, Chris O’Connor, Sean (Druanne) O’Connor, and Steve O’Connor; and five grandchildren. 

Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Seattle. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.