Ernestine Spotts

Ernestine Haring was born February 24, 1934 in Karlsbad, Czech Republic to German parents, Josef and Ernestine Haring. She was the oldest of 8 children and helped her mother care for the family while her father was at war.

Ernestine emigrated to Canada as a young woman and worked in domestic care. She and two friends worked their way across Canada and up the West Coast. She eventually ended up in Vancouver. She helped two of her brothers, Joe and Gunther, to come to Canada as well. She took a job as a teller with the Canadian Bank of Commerce and was transferred to their newly opening branch in San Francisco.

Tina met Vincent in San Francisco in a club. He asked her to dinner “because you had to eat” with “no strings attached”. They dated for about six months and then were married January 26, 1964 in the Mission San Rafael chapel. Tina and Vincent helped to build his brother and sister in law Ken’s and Myrna’s cabin at Donner Lake. Tina would bring food for a dinner and so would other guests who showed up and she would have to figure out how to put it all together to make a cohesive meal. Vincent went skin diving for abalone and fish. Tina would build a fire on the beach so that he could warm up and to cook whatever he caught on the dive. He said that she was the only one who could make a proper fire fit for cooking and would not let anyone else take on the task. They hosted and attended dinner parties with Ken and Myrna and friends and spent wonderful times with Tina’s dear friend Sonja.

Mom had Myrna in 1965, followed soon after by Lotte in 1967. She stayed at home to raise their family. Vincent had to travel for work and so they purchased a travel trailer that Mom used to refer to as the “traileo”. We lived for several months at a campground on the Southern California coast and also Fish Lake Beach near Chicago. While in California we would take trips across the border to the Mexican beach town of Ensenada. Mom had a cat Moonie and a dog Blackie while living in San Rafael.

Dad got transferred to PSNS in Bremerton in 1970 and so we moved to Port Orchard where they have lived ever since. Mom was always focused on family. We would have big holiday and birthday celebrations and always had dinner together at the table. She took great pride in having a beautiful home and a thriving family. During summer we would trailer camp with the “traileo”. Mom loved the water and the mountains. Some of her favorite camping destinations were Jasper, Alberta, Kalaloch on Washington’s coast, Dosewallips on the Hood Canal, and Solduc in the Olympics. No camping trip was complete without blockbuster cookies which Marvin will tell you all about if you ask. On the road trips Mom liked us to sing John Denver and Simon and Garfunkel songs. Moonie did not make the trip to Washington and Blackie died a couple years after the move. Mom loved having pets and brought home Jet who was supposed to be a teacup poodle but rapidly outgrew that size. He was with her into his old age. Mom was active in Saint Gabriel parish where she attended Mass and taught Sunday school for several years.

The family took an extended trip to Europe to see Mom’s family. We also saw Austria, Switzerland, France, and Italy. Her mother, father, and niece visited. Two of her brothers from Germany also made trips here. We saw her brothers Joe and Gunther and their families here and in Canada.

In 1985 Oma’s life transitioned again when her granddaughter Lenore (Nori) was born. She dove into her role as Grandmother and doted on Nori. This is when everyone came to know Oma as Oma. She and Opa took Nori on trips to Hawaii and Las Vegas. Nori and friends would often spend weekends with Oma and Opa. Oma’s second grandchild, Conor, came along in 1993; he also traveled with them for vacations. She enjoyed spending time with both of her grandchildren.

Oma loved to travel with Opa once he retired. They went to Australia, Tahiti, Mexico, Europe, and frequently to Hawaii where she loved the Hilton Hawaiian Village. At home she enjoyed watching the Olympics and tennis and more recently the Seahawks.

After Jet died Oma did not think that she would have another pet. She did love Lotte’s dogs, Sorcha, Juno, and now Keva. She inherited Wren from Myrna and he seemed to be her favorite pet. She would always want to give him “just a morsel” which would not have accounted for his vast Chihuahua size. She enjoyed visiting Tom and Greta’s dogs and having Rutlich visit her.

Oma continued to go all out for holidays and birthdays. The kids were certainly spoiled. There are almost certainly some Christmas presents hidden around her house now. Her great granddaughter Yuna was born to Nori and Tyler this year and Oma was thrilled. She has not been able to pass the baby display without picking up at least one outfit.

For the past several years Oma connected with her neighbors for Friday coffee klatch. This was a time that she treasured. Nothing could be scheduled for a Friday because that would interfere with her time with her friends. She loved to tell and hear stories and laugh. She was always concerned about everyone’s welfare. How is Marvin? How is Nori? Tyler? How is Conor doing in New York? She was not able to travel to New York for Conor’s wedding which she was disappointed about but did enjoy seeing all the pictures. Oh and how is the little one? She continued to maintain a spotless (pun intended) home and to take care of her family even though we did not live there. No party was complete without Oma’s bean salad.

Oma was the center of her family. She loved fuchsias, roses, and carnations. She loved the color blue. She loved John Denver, waltzes, and German folk music. She said “wonderful”, “you must be kidding”, “Mein Liebermann”, and “what more could you want”. For a wife, mom, Oma, and great Oma what more could you want?