Sylvia Brotherton
nwgirlinmo@yahoo.com

Sophie (Brotherton) Richards

Mailing Address:

116 West E St.
Burns OR 97720

Phone: 503-989-2927

Spouse: Rich Richards

Kids:

Christopher (June 1971)
Nicholas (May 1989)

Grand-Kids:

Amanda (April 1990)
Korey (August 1992)

Great Grand-Kids:

Jason (July 2007)
Joseph (June 2009)
Jonathan (March 2011)
Jordon Antonio (August 2013)

2014 Reunion News:

In the last 50 years since high school, I have worked for and worked as the following:

I attended college at University of Nevada but could not decide what I wanted to do with my life, so moved to Seattle and attended Metropolitan Business college and then began working in the accounting and secretarial field. I picked up the nickname SOPHIE along the way as I was never thrilled with the name Sylvia and all the nicknames I had during my childhood! I worked for many small companies and learned from some amazing people and became an Office Manager, Bookkeeper and Business Manager. I worked for non-profits, sole-proprietors and corporations and enjoyed every one of my jobs. Some of my employers were: Alaska Steamship Co., Bank and Office Interiors, S.M Sage and Company, Williams and Associates, architects, Evergreen Academy, WARM, Chestnut Hill Academy, Kumon Reading Center, and the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. I worked all of my adult life sometimes had more than one job as I supported myself during several years as a single parent.

I also helped in establishing an organization for adults who were adopted to find their birth families and I was part of state and national organizations that have changed the laws in most states to make access to birth records a recognized and positive event. I found my birthmother in 1977 (she passed in 1997) and my deceased birth father in 1992 (he passed in 1978). I was able to travel all over the US to speak at different conferences to tell my story and change attitudes.

I did retire in 2008 and now keep busy taking care of my new husband (2013) and our new house (2013) and our huge yard (3/4 of an acre). We are planting a garden and adding trees and flowers to the very bare landscape.

Rich and I met online in August of 2012 and lived just one mile away from each other and we quickly became very good friends and married July 20, 2013 at the home of my half brother and we had over 125 people come to share our day. Rich was born and raised in Ventura, CA and came to Oregon in the early 80's. He retired last fall and although he does do some part time work and volunteers at the Marion Polk County Food Share. He has a son, Jason (1979) who lives here in Salem. I am very fortunate to have found my soul mate at 65!

Sophie and Willard July 2013 Update:

I am married!! Willard (Rich) Richards and I were married July 20, 2013.

2004 Reunion News:

Past highlights: Loving family and work. Purchase of a second home in Glenden Beach, OR. Enjoying Nick's Activities (2nd degree black-belt, baseball, school, his travels to France)

Future Plans: RETIRING!! TRAVEL!! Moving to the beach.

30 Year Reunion 1994

Spouse's Name: Philip
Current residence: Bothell WA
Occupation: Exec Dir for WARM
Spouse's Occupation: Test Electrician/Boeing
Family: Christopher 23; Nicholas 5
Number of grandchildren: 2
Places lived in the last 10 years: Bothell
Hobbies and other interests: Traveling, genealogy and raising kids.
Plans or goals for the next 10 years: Survive raising a toddler to a teenager and retirement.
Major highlights of the last 10 years: Giving birth to my 2nd child, a son, at the age of 42. This is my husband's first and only child and we have enjoyed every second of the past 5 years. As many of you know, I found my birthmother in 1977 and after a 16-year search, I found my birthfather. He died in 1978. I have found two more siblings along with a direct lineage back to Teddy and Franklin Roosevelt. So finally complete with 5 half brothers and 1 half sister and a family orchard that continues to grow. Since the death of my adoptive parents in 1980 and 1982, I have only been to Lewiston once since 1983 and that was in 1992. Could not believe the changes.

From 20 year reunion book 20 Year Reunion 1984

Spouse's Name: Philip D Rood
Current residence: Bothell WA
Occupation: Office manager
Spouse's Occupation: Investor
Family: Christopher 13.
I am office manager for a high-tech firm in Kirkland, WA and also President of the American Adoption Congress (a national organization working toward adoption reform) and I am very active in the Open Records Movement. Divorced just after the 10 year reunion, have just recently remarried. Still go by the nickname 'Sophie'. I have traveled extensively with my work in the adoption movement and family travel is one of the most often interests we have. Best wishes to all of you and I'll try to make the 30 year!

10 Year Reunion 1974

Spouse's Name: Jamie Elvert
Current residence: Bothell WA
Occupation: Wife, mother and secretary/Bookkeeper
Spouse's Occupation:
Family: Christopher 3.
I began my 'future' with college at the University of Nevada, at Reno, where I acquired the nickname of 'Sophie' which is what everyone calls me now. Then I moved to Seattle where I began working as a typist, which experience led to my current position as a secretary/bookkeeper in a one-gal office for a Seattle investment firm. After six months in Seattle, I met 'Jamie' and a year later we were married. Now almost eight years later, we have an adorable son, who is a fantastic 3 year old, our health, and what we think is a very good marriage and all the 'extras' we could want. We took a trip to Hawaii this last winter and in the summer we spend our free time in our camper pick-up. Our new challenge is to the purchase of our second house, a brand new home just north of Seattle.