Family and friends will gather next Monday to remember John W. Sisson. Here’s the notice they’re sharing with the community:

John W. Sisson, beloved husband and father, passed away at home in his sleep May 25th.

He was born in Minnesota in 1932. He was the son of Frank and Ruth Sisson. He spent a 35-year career in public service as an auditor for the General Accounting Office. He loved horses, boats, camping, reading, dogs, sports cars, WWII aircraft, and especially his family. He would always make time for his family.

His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 am on Monday, June 6th, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 7000 35th Avenue SW in West Seattle.

In lieu of flowers please consider a gift to either the Union Gospel Mission or the Seattle Humane Society.

Please visit his memorial web page here.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends will gather on June 5th to celebrate the life of Renee Rundle, 79. Her family is sharing this tribute, remembering her as a woman of “many talents”:

Renee Marion Amundson Rundle passed away peacefully on April 28, 2016 after a valiant battle with multiple illnesses.

She was born in North Dakota on February 11, 1937 to Julia and Gerhard Amundson. While she was still quite young the family moved to Seattle, Washington. Renee attended West Woodland Elementary School, James Monroe Middle School and graduated from Ballard High School in 1955. She married Clayton Rundle in 1956 and they welcomed their daughter Michelle into their family in 1968.

She graduated with a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Washington. Throughout her career she worked for PR firms including Bernhagen & Associates and Ehrig & Associates. She also was the Editor for the Alki News. Most recently she worked as the Volunteer Coordinator for Providence Mount St. Vincent in West Seattle.

Renee had many talents. In her younger years she was an accomplished majorette, a member of the Ballard High School and All City Band, and on her high-school yearbook staff. Later in life she pursued many interests including traveling, sailing, playing on a softball team, and studying the universe, meditation, and art. She loved writing and poetry and dreamed of having her poems published. She was also passionate about her community and not afraid to speak up if something needed to be addressed, as she often did for Alki. Though her physical health limited her at times, her spirit was strong and she was always seeking and open to new adventures.

Renee is survived by her daughter Michelle Rundle, sisters Gwen Cleveland (Arne) and Janet Woodfield (Ed), and multiple nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Please gather with us to celebrate her life at 3:00 PM, Sunday, June 5, in the Fellowship Hall of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, 2400 NW 85th St, Seattle. Per her wishes, please also come dressed in brightly colored party clothes. In lieu of flowers, donations to your favorite charity in her honor are welcome.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends will gather June 18th to celebrate the life of Rick Lauffer. Here’s the remembrance that’s being shared with the community:

West Seattle resident Erich “Rick” Robert Lauffer passed away on May 8, 2016, following complications from pneumonia.

Rick was born in Lakewood, Ohio, on January 20, 1956, the son of the late Florence B. and Erwin M. Lauffer. He is survived by his life partner of 40 years and wife Lucy Woodworth and beloved son Eli Lauffer. Rick is also survived by his siblings Erwin A. “Stuffy” (Linda Kensicki), Judith Touré (Roy Briere), Peter, Timothy (Kim), his brothers-in-law, Mark (Randi) and Paul (Lisa), and 14 nephews and nieces.

Rick studied art and literature at Western College of Miami University in Ohio, where he and Lucy met. They spent several happy years in Cincinnati, where he worked for Instant Replay Film and Video Productions as a 3D animator.

Rick was a talented artist who expressed his creativity in multiple mediums. Some of his art may be found at his website. There, he wrote, “An artist’s eye transfers to any tool once mastered.”

In 1991, Erich, Lucy, and Eli moved to Seattle. Rick worked as a 3D animator with Pinnacle Post before becoming a freelance artist and later a co-owner with Lucy in their motion graphics business, Lucy Woodworth Design. But his greatest joy came from his family and his role as Eli’s father. He treasured their time together.

Family and friends are welcome to stop in to remember Rick at a memorial celebration of his life on Saturday, June 18th between 2 pm and 4 pm at Duos Lounge, 2940 SW Avalon Way in West Seattle. There will also be a memorial in his hometown of Olmsted Falls, Ohio, on Saturday, August 6th. Donations in Rick’s memory may be made to NAMI Seattle.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends are remembering Carla de Vrieze, who died last week at 43, and sharing this announcement with the community:

Carla Y. de Vrieze passed away May 16, 2016, surrounded by her family.

Carla was born October 6, 1972, in the Netherlands. Moving to the US as a young child, she lived with her family in Arlington and Winchester, Massachusetts, attending Winchester High School and High Mowing School in Wilton, NH. After earning her Associate’s Degree from Johnson and Wales University College of Culinary Arts, Carla moved and spent a few years in Chevy Chase, Maryland, before settling in West Seattle, near her brother’s family, in 1999.

Carla’s creativity and passion for the culinary arts were an important part of her personal and professional life; in cooking for others, she found joy. Carla was preceded in death by her father, Theo de Vrieze. She is survived by her mother, Joan de Vrieze, her brother Martin de Vrieze (Heather), and nephew Jake de Vrieze, all of West Seattle. She is also survived by countless aunts, uncles, cousins around the country and the world.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to SANCA, the School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts, an organization which brings joy and inclusion to so many children of all abilities (674 S. Orcas Street, Seattle 98108 or sancaseattle.org/support/give-today).

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends will gather June 18th to celebrate the life of Raymond W. Tofteland, who died a week ago. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing now:

Raymond (Ray) Wayne Tofteland died peacefully in his sleep May 8, 2016 in Seattle at the age of 51 from complications of renal disease.

Raymond was born August 7, 1964, in Minot, North Dakota, to Lawrence (Larry) and Eileen Tofteland. His family moved to Seattle in 1968. He attended Arbor Heights Elementary School, Denny Middle School and graduated in 1983 from Rainier Beach High School. He married his high-school sweetheart Melissa Whipple in 1991, and rejoiced when their beloved daughter Ashlee was born in 1994. While Raymond and Melissa divorced in 2005, they remained good friends. As his health declined, he moved in with Melissa and Ashlee, who took care of him.

As a boy, Raymond started earning money by mowing lawns. After graduating, he worked for La Mexicana making tortillas. In 1989 he started working at the Jefferson Square Safeway in West Seattle. Many years later, he transferred to a University District Safeway. He was on medical leave for the past two years, but was a Safeway employee for 27 years.

Raymond loved to fish (especially at Ilwaco), camp, go on road trips and barbecue. He spent many happy hours teaching Ashlee to make a campfire and to fish. He loved hanging out with friends and family around campfires, on his sister’s boat or just at home.

Raymond was preceded in death by his father Lawrence (Larry) Tofteland. Left to mourn are his daughter Ashlee Tofteland; his mother Eileen Tofteland; his ex-wife Melissa Tofteland; his brother Mark Tofteland; his sister Melissa (Missy) Speer-Tofteland; his nephews Gabe, Levi, and Luai; and his nieces Tara, Amanda, Jameila, and Sophia.

Letters of condolence may be sent to the Toftelands at 10441 57th Ave South, Seattle, WA 98178.

A celebration of life will be held June 18th in Olympia. Please call or text 206-913-7148 for more information or check Facebook for the “Celebration of Life for Raymond Tofteland” event.

Raymond’s last wish was for his remains to be taken to North Dakota, where his father is buried. Please consider donating to help make this final trip with his daughter a reality at gofundme.com/raymondtofteland

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

A memorial is planned May 15th for Mike Foster, whose family is sharing this remembrance:

Michael Dale Foster, 62, passed away in his sleep on April 19, 2016. He was born September 28, 1953, in Seattle, the eldest child of Harold and Lorraine Foster. He is survived by his parents; his brother Jeff Foster and niece Amanda; his sister Sue Foster and his nephews Matthew and Mark; and his daughter Kara Foster.

Raised in White Center, Mike attended Holy Family School, Kennedy Catholic High School, and graduated from Chief Sealth High School in 1972. Shortly after high school, Mike went to work in Saudi Arabia for Crowley Maritime. He would talk of that time as one of his greatest adventures.

He married Rebecca Connor in September of 1982 and had a daughter a year later on December 19, 1983. He would say that was his next greatest adventure: Being a dad.

They rented a house in Highland Park, Mike was friends with all his neighbors and would always have a helping hand if needed, working on bicycles, cars, or anything else in his garage. In 1996 he was divorced, but always lived near his daughter and his parents.

He worked for Sears Roebuck as a warehouseman for most of his career and recently retired from Bartell Drugs as a warehouseman.

He loved camping at Lake Trask with his family, he was constantly reading, and he would do anything for his family and friends. With a goofy grin and a big heart, he will be missed by so many.

His memorial service will be held on Sunday, May 15th, from 4-8 pm at the White Center Eagles, located at 10452 15th Ave SW. It will be a potluck event and the family asks that any donations in his name be given to the White Center Eagles.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends are remembering Lola Sugia Tebelman, who also touched many lives with her music:

Lola Sugia Tebelman, 90, died peacefully April 19, 2016 at Providence Mount St. Vincent in West Seattle.

Lola was born July 17, 1925, in Seattle, to Assunta and Philip Sugia. She attended Franklin High School and at an early age began a career as a vocalist in many prominent Northwest bands, orchestras, and jazz combos. (Her 1960 45-rpm record “Blue Tears/ Weathervane” was recorded at the West Seattle home studio of Seattle’s then-top audio engineer, Joe Boles, on Admiral Way in West Seattle.)

In later years, she attended business school and worked at the University of Washington until she retired.

Lola touched many lives with her presence, her creativity, her talent and her love of family. She enjoyed opera, jazz and classical music, fine arts, gardening, Italian cooking, journalism, reading non-fiction, writing plays, stories, and lyrics. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren brought a special joy to her life!

She is survived by her two daughters, Maia Santell and Pamela Tebelman; her granddaughters, Mikela Aramburu, Gina Aramburu, and Lisa Tebelman; two great-granddaughters; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.

At her request no service will be held. Condolences may be sent to P.O. Box 97353, Tacoma, WA 98497.

In lieu of flowers, to honor Lola’s end-of life wishes, a memorial-gift donation to Seattle Area Feline Rescue would be a lovely expression, as she was an avid cat lover and animal-rights activist.

Please share memories and condolences on our online guestbook for Lola.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends will gather this Friday to celebrate the life of Joseph C. Harris. Here’s the remembrance that’s being shared today:

Joseph Claude Harris, age 75, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on April 16th. He is survived by his wife Sue, his children Sean (Courtney Harris-Campf), Colleen, Becky (RJ Masters), Marianne (Patrick McGah), and CJ, 5 granddaughters, and his brother, John Harris.

Joe was born and raised in West Seattle, attended Holy Rosary School, O’Dea High School, and Maryknoll Seminary. He later earned an MBA from City University. Joe and Sue met through their work with the CYO Summer Camps and after their wedding they lived as the caretakers at Camp Cabrini.

Joe was a proud father to his five children, often driving kids around the city for activities, teaching them to play cribbage, and supporting them in their endeavors. He devoted many years of service to the Catholic Church in parish ministry, school and parish finances, and researching demographics of the Church around the country. Joe was a regular volunteer at Holy Rosary, suggesting that Fr. Mallahan start the endowment fund, serving on various committees, and helping with the plans for Lanigan Gym. Joe loved running, biking, hiking, and playing basketball. He will be greatly missed.

The celebration of his life will be at Holy Rosary Church on Friday, April 22nd at 6:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fr. Mallahan Endowment Fund at Holy Rosary School.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

A memorial service is planned April 30th for Dr. Catherine Ann Orsi, whose many achievements included serving West Seattle as a naturopathic doctor. Here’s the remembrance family and friends are sharing:

Catherine Ann Orsi passed away peacefully with family by her side on March 14, 2016, after fighting a brave five-year battle with brain cancer.

Conceived in her father’s native homeland of Italy, but born in Corvallis, Oregon on March 9, 1958, she was the first child of Vincenzo and Margaret (Atwood) Orsi. She is survived by her mother, Margaret, her siblings; Lewis, (Kathy), Barbara, and Stephen, her nephew, Nick, her niece, Kate, and her ex-husband, Chelo Winfred Schal. Her beloved father, Vincenzo, preceded her in death in 1972, and her American grandparents Hulda and Harlow Atwood, and her Italian grandparents Luigi and Olimpia Orsi.

Catherine grew up in Albany and Corvallis, Oregon. While attending Oregon State University, she pursued her late father’s profession, and in 1983 received a degree in civil engineering. After graduation she married fellow engineer Phillip Wurst, but were divorced after a few years. Her engineering career started with the U.S. Forest Service in Ashland, Oregon. Later she accepted an engineering position for City Light, in Seattle, working on landfill-closure projects. She was one of the few women in that field at the time.

Through mutual friends, Catherine met and married Chelo Winfred Schal in 1995. They made several trips to Europe visiting his family in Germany, her family in Italy, and explored her maternal roots in Finland. Catherine and Chelo divorced in 2005, but remained lasting friends.

With a lifelong interest in scuba diving, Catherine was a volunteer diver at the Seattle Aquarium for over 18 years. Her other aquatic pursuits included sailing, kayaking, and swimming. She dreamed of becoming a mermaid.

During a period of illness, she became disenfranchised with Western Medicine and sought help through naturopathy. This journey led to her midlife career change. She enrolled at Bastyr University, where she received her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree in 2003. She opened her own practice in her beloved West Seattle, serving many local clients. Catherine maintained her medical practice until being stricken with cancer in the spring of 2011. Many of her clients, business associates, and friends in West Seattle remember her passionate and thorough attention to detail in her practice through her participation in a local chapter of BNI (Business Network International).

Proud of her Italian-American heritage, she obtained dual citizenship, volunteering for many years with the Festa Italiana celebration. She remained active in the Italian-American Association, and was a devoted member of her church, Plymouth United Church of Christ Congregational in Seattle.

After developing cancer and despite significant obstacles, Catherine filled her intervening years with love, many joyful activities, and personal connections with family, friends, clients, including many here in West Seattle. Although she was unable to continue her Naturopathy practice, she forged on with her connection to, and advocacy for a life of healing through support groups, online communities, and friends until her death.

One of her favorite activities was dancing in her many colorful outfits. It was while walking to a dance class on December 22, 2015, when she fell from brain cancer. It is her joyful and passionate pursuit in the beauty of colorful dance, and aquatic life that is how we will remember her. Dancing and grooving at the least provocation.

Her memorial service is planned at 1 pm Saturday, April 30th, at Plymouth United Church of Christ, and is open to the public. In lieu of flowers, her family requests offerings be directed to her remembrance project. People can donate on PayPal using catherineremembranceproject@gmail.com, or mail checks to “Catherine Remembrance Project” care of Lew Orsi, 10617 NE 30th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98686

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends will gather tomorrow at The Mount to remember Marie Loken. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing:

Our beloved mother Marie M. Loken passed away on March 26, 2016 at the age of 93. She was born on August 22, 1922 in Seattle to Charles and Marie McIntosh. Mom was the eldest of three sisters and spent her youth in Ballard and spent many a Sunday on her grandparents’ farm on Vashon Island. She was a 1941 graduate of Holy Angels High School, where she received a diploma from Holy Angels Academy School of Music in addition to her high school diploma. At 17, Mom could play concert level piano pieces and never lost her love of playing her piano. After high school, she worked at Federal Way High School as a secretary and then worked as a typesetter for Sears Roebuck catalogue department in the old Sears building on 1st Avenue. Shortly before World War II, she met the love of her life, Roger, at a local dance school. They wrote to each other throughout the war, and while he was overseas he asked her to marry him. 69 years later they were still together until his death last year.

She moved to Kettle Falls to help Roger embark on his teaching career. While they were building a house, Marie endured harsh winters and summers raising her babies, all born about a year apart. She returned to Seattle in 1958 and resided in West Seattle for her remaining years. After raising her six children she returned to Sears and worked as a typesetter with the same people that she had worked with when she was 19. Through the years Marie was Roger’s right hand and greatest supporter through his teaching and real estate endeavors. Mom loved to travel and she took trips with her husband and family to Europe and Hawaii and the Oregon Coast. Reading mysteries and watching her classic movies were some of her favorite pastimes. When it came to gardening, she could grow anything from a cutting. In her younger years, she was an avid bowler, bowling a 300 at one point. The last of the great card senders, she maintained correspondence with her friends from Kettle Falls for over 60 years and never let a holiday or birthday go by without sending a card. She was a Red Cross Volunteer and a longtime member of Holy Rosary and Guadalupe parishes.

She is preceded in death by her husband Roger and her grandson Mac Branom. She leaves behind her six children: David Loken of Everett; Joan Perryman of New Mexico; Catherine Hunter of Des Moines, WA; Robert Loken of Seattle; Roberta Jackowski of Seattle; and Karen Coffey of Portland; 10 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 9:30 am on April 7th at Mount St. Vincent Chapel. Graveside services will be held at Holyrood Catholic Cemetery. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Services – West Seattle. Please share memories of Marie on our online guestbook.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

The funeral and reception in memory of Mary H. Anderson are planned for April 16th at The Mount. Here’s the remembrance her family is sharing:

Mary H. Anderson, “Mimi” to her family, was born in Seattle in 1919. She died March 17 at Providence Mt. St. Vincent after a courageous battle with cancer. Mary and her beloved brother Bill, who preceded her in death, grew up in First Hill neighborhood. She attended Holy Names Academy and the Cornish school of the arts.

In 1946, Mary and her husband Frank Novak moved to West Seattle with their new baby Christine. The first thing she did was join Holy Rosary Parish, where she was a member for 70 years.

In 1976, Mimi married her true love Roger Anderson, who had two grown children of his own, Laurienne and Carver Anderson.

Mimi and Rog were married for 30 years and they lived and loved it thoroughly. Together they enjoyed traveling, bridge games, quiet nights reading and watching the ferryboats, family events, his wonderful sense of humor and her fabulous gourmet meals.

Mary leaves behind treasured friends and family, only child Christine Evens, grandsons Patrick and James Allen, Charles Evens (Lanna) and great grandchildren Andrew and Fae. She also leaves her wonderful nephews John and Phil Hendry, great nephew Troy, great nieces Sasha and Shannon and special friend Kathy Oczkewecz who she called her adopted daughter.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to the Providence Mt. St. Vincent Foundation, or her favorite charity National Animal Society.

Funeral mass will be in the Chapel at Providence Mount St. Vincent in West Seattle, Saturday, April 16, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. Reception to follow in the dining room, all are welcome. Please share memories of Mimi on our online guestbook.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Friends and relatives are remembering Olga (Mitchell) McEwing, and wanted to share this with the community:

A long-time West Seattle resident, Olga McEwing died peacefully following a short illness on March 10, 2016, at age 96.

Olga was born on February 7, 1920. She emigrated to the United States from England with her parents Joshua and Ellen, and a younger brother, John, in 1927. She was a very generous person and cared a lot for others. She enjoyed music, gardening, and liked making the best pumpkin pies.

She was preceded in death by her husband James McEwing, 1919-1978.

Olga will be missed by The Kenney residents, the Schau and Matalone families, as well as many others, and will remain in our hearts forever.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

A memorial gathering for Lorraine Mary DeTonancour Hope is planned on February 27th. Here’s the remembrance that her family is sharing:

Our beloved mother, mother-in-law, grandma and great grandma passed away peacefully at home on February 4th at the age of 87. She is survived by her daughter Judy Maus-Carson (Matt), sons Robert Hope (Lori) and Curtis Hope (Stephanie) and by 7 grandchildren (Jessica & Jon, Andy & Katey, and Kim, Kelli, & Christopher) and 7 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Norman Hope.

Lorraine grew up in Montana, where she was the belle of the ball – Anaconda High’s cheer queen, a softball player, and a National Thespian. After moving to Seattle with her best friend, she met and married the love of her life. “No and Lo” settled in Alki/West Seattle, where they raised their family and remained the rest of their lives.

Mom/Grandma/Lorraine went through life at full speed – she loved singing & dancing, entertaining & cooking, vacationing & sun-tanning, gambling, playing cards & bingo, spoiling her kids & grandkids, cheering for her sports teams, reading & making up words, painting & beach walking… She was happiest when loving on and laughing with family and friends and was fortunate to live much of her life that way.

A short service and reception will be held at Salty’s on Alki on Saturday, February 27th, at 11 am.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

A celebration-of-life gathering is planned next month for longtime West Seattleite Amelia “Amy” Beard Walker. Here’s the remembrance her family is sharing:

Amy went to her rest on February 1, 2016, at Highline Medical Center, at the age of 90.

Born on November 23, 1925, to Charles Grosvenor and Elizabeth Cooper Beard, in Jacksonville, Florida, and graduated from Central High School in Memphis, Tennessee, she married Thomas L. Walker Jr. in 1943, sharing life for 69 years, until his passing in 2012. They lived throughout the United States, wherever his career in aircraft and missile engineering took them. She worked in various public school systems, and completed her working career as the Director of Administrative Services and Assistant to the Executive Director, Goodwill Industries of Seattle.

Amy was active in the West Side Wheelers square dance club, the West Seattle Garden Club, Washington Arboretum, West Seattle Rock and Gem Club, and was a Member/Secretary for Toastmasters of West Seattle. She served on the Executive Board of the West Seattle Daystar Retirement Village and was a Daystar Ambassador, welcoming and assisting new residents. An active member of her church, she served as a reader for the 14th Church of Christ Scientist of West Seattle. She led a pro-active life, touching the lives of so many others in a positive, lasting way.

Amy is survived by her children; Carolyn Gabrio (Bob), Eileen Meling (Lee), Thomas Walker III (Toni), and Lawrence Walker (Rosario); seven grandchildren; Kristin Pottsmith (Chuck), Janice Belding, Jacqueline Walker, Marcella Bolen (Dan), Brian Walker (Andrea), Leah Walker, and Jamison Walker, and five great-grandchildren.

A celebration of her life will be held by her family at Daystar Retirement Village, 2615 SW Barton Street, on March 26th, 2:00 pm; after which a private family scattering of ashes will be conducted. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite Veterans’ charity.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends will gather later this week in memory of Kay Messina, and are sharing this remembrance now:

Free from the clutches of Alzheimer’s disease, Kay’s spirit is free to soar again.

Born to Leo “Skipper” and Helen Kelly, Katherine Margaret “Kay” was raised as one of seven brothers and sisters in Anaconda, MT. After college, Kay moved to the big city (Seattle) to work as a medical records administrator. There she met the love of her life, Ben Messina. They married in 1963 and had three boys, Michael, Tony, and Mateo.

For the next 53 years, Kay loved, laughed, and sang her way through raising a family, pursuing a career, building lasting friendships, and generally demonstrating how a life well-lived should be. Together with Ben she enjoyed plays, dinners, friends, glasses of wine, and traveling far and wide. Their journeys included exploring their roots in Ireland and Italy, and making trips home to Montana for the annual family gatherings that continue to this day.

Kay raised her boys with love, grace, and good humor. She showed them the power of love in the devotion she and Ben shared, as well as the value of community in the friendships they made, and their 50-year membership with Our Lady of Guadalupe parish. In her career, she worked with health-care facilities around the region, including a long association with Mt. St. Vincent, where she spent her final days in their care.

Kay was fortunate to have married an engineer. As Alzheimer’s progressed, Ben was able to continually develop solutions that would allow to her to remain at home for much longer than most. For that, we are forever grateful. In addition to her family and friends’ memories of her twinkling Irish eyes, Kay leaves behind Ben, her beloved husband of 53 years; sons Michael (Yvette), Tony (Dawn), and Mateo (Tammy); and eight grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Mt. St. Vincent or Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. An evening vigil will be held Thursday 2/11/16 at 7:00, and a funeral mass on Friday 2/12/16 at 11:00, both at Our Lady of Guadalupe. Please visit www.emmickfunerals.com to share your memories of Kay.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Saturday, a gathering is planned to remember 21-year-old Chad Crooks. This is from his family:

Laura and Todd, along with Corey, Macey, and Grady Crooks, write this to share some profoundly sad news with those that have not yet heard. In the early morning hours of Thursday, 21st our sweet, brilliant, gentle giant, Chad Crooks lost his battle with mental illness and with that, we lost him. At 21, he was our oldest son and brother and a blessing to everyone that met him along his path. With everyone around us, we grieve and love and, in time, we will heal.

Even through his recent struggles, Chad remained gentle and kind, but in the end, made a choice to control his destiny. Chad battled a disease that threatened to offer little hope of using his gifts, making them just beyond his grasp. His brilliance was a gift that he hoped would advance the knowledge and understanding of the complexities of our existence and lives on Earth and elsewhere. Our loss is the world’s loss.

This mental health tragedy is not unique to the Crooks family. It is a devastating, cruel affliction that destroys beauty. Like cancer or heart disease, schizophrenia and other types of mental illness have the same impact, often killing with an invisible hand.

A service will be held at our Admiral UCC Church here in West Seattle on February 6th at 2PM with stories, love and refreshments following. The Admiral United Congregational Church of West Seattle is located at 4320 SW Hill Street. Donations designated in Chad’s honor will be gratefully accepted to aid research in the field of schizophrenia and depression, with details available at the Saturday service.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

A celebration of life is planned on February 13th for Gary Elliott, whose family is sharing this remembrance:

Gary “G-Man” Lee Elliott, 54, of West Seattle, passed away unexpectedly and much too young, Saturday, January 16, 2016 at his vacation home in Sunset Beach, CA.

Gary is survived by his wife and best friend of 37 years, Camille, daughter Tanya Gardiner, son Terry Elliott, son-in-law Hamilton Gardiner, sister Dee Strecker, brother Steve Elliott, mother/father in-law Jean and Don Duncan, and many loving nephews, nieces and extended family. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Willis and Marie Elliott, and brother, Kevin Elliott. Gary was a loving father, husband, and best friend to all he met.

Gary provided inspirational adventures while working to check items off his bucket list: captaining his Chris Craft yacht, retro motor home trips, leading the Tahuya Parade with his fire truck, riding his Harley at Sturgis, homes at Sunset Beach, Hood Canal and Lake Washington, owning a tractor, the West Seattle Junction Court art piece, and daily hot tub-coffee-walks around the island with Camille.

Gary loved remodeling and fixing his homes (and the homes of his many friends and family) and worked as a painter for his entire life after being given a paintbrush by his father at an early age. He also enjoyed managing the EPM apartments with his kids, traveling, and trying anything once because “Life is full of experiences and they all can’t be good!” Gary was a fun-loving and immensely creative individual, one of the most generous persons you would ever meet, always willing to pick up a tab, and always there to help friends with house projects or whatever else they needed. Gary was most proud of his kids, who will miss him and carry on his inspirational legacy.

A celebration of life will be held at Rainier Golf & Country Club, 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 13, 2016. Gary’s ashes will be laid to rest at two of his favorite homes, Lake Washington and Sunset Beach. Donations in memory of Gary can be made to the West Seattle Fraternal Order of Eagles (Auxiliary #2643), where he was proud to be a long-standing member.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)