Family and friends will gather Saturday in memory of Christine Bruno. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:

Please join us for a celebration of the life of West Seattle resident Christine Bruno.

Saturday, December 15th from 1-4 pm at the:
Center for Urban Horticulture/NHS Hall
3501 NE 41st St.

Christine Bruno passed away at home after a long illness on October 31, 2018. She was born October 17, 1968 in New Orleans, LA. Christine was preceded in death by her parents, Aurora and Joseph Bruno, and she is survived by her loving husband Brett and daughter Aurora. She is missed and loved by many great friends and family.

Christine graduated from Louisiana State University before moving to Seattle. She cared dearly about the environment and worked diligently in her position as a shoreline inspector with the City of Seattle to help protect Seattle’s waterways from damage.

(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 Thursday (December 13) in memory of Karlene Lacher. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing with the community:

KARLENE LACHER (SIFFERMAN)

On December 2, 2018 our dear, sweet, beautiful Mom passed away peacefully with all of her children by her side. Mom was born October 22nd, 1934 to Karl and Iris Sifferman.

Karlene grew up on Angle Lake until the 5th grade. The family then moved to West Seattle, where she attended Holy Rosary School, graduating in 1952.

Karlene began her career in the late ’60s at West Seattle General Hospital. In 1973 she went to work for Dr. Wilbur J. Springer until his retirement in 2000. After Dr. Springer retired, Karlene stayed on at Swedish West Seattle Clinic for one more year and then retired herself in 2001. Not satisfied with being retired for long, Mom returned to work for West Seattle Dermatology, where she stayed for almost two years. She then joined the staff at West Seattle Foot and Ankle, where she worked until December 2015 at the age of 81.

Mom loved her home, gardening, traveling, working, and most of all her children and grandchildren.

No matter what was going on in her life or ours, we always knew Mom loved us.
Mom, you will forever be in our hearts.

Karlene was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Susan Cash. She is survived by her children Jean (Michael), Jolene, Steve, Jill (Mark), and Joe (Joy); five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, her sister Jean Freitas, and her brother Nick Sifferman, all of Seattle.

The family would like to give a heartfelt thanks to Kathleen, Terri, and Adrienne for their love, compassion and care they gave to Mom. We would also like to thank Providence Hospice of Seattle for the care and respect they gave to Mom in her final months and the support given to our family.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, December 13th, 2018, 10:00 AM, with reception following at:
Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 4139 42nd Ave SW.

Remembrances may be made to:
Providence Hospice of Seattle Foundation, 2811 S. 102nd Street, Suite 220, Tukwila, WA 98168
or the charity of your choice.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Services of West 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 will gather December 16th to remember Katherine (Katie) Overmars. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with the community:

KATHERINE FAY BIRKLAND OVERMARS (KATIE)

Born Feb. 18, 1966, in Seattle, died Dec. 1 in Browns Point, Tacoma, at age 52.

Katie grew up in West Seattle and attended Lafayette Elementary, Mercer Middle School and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1984. She worked at American Seafoods in Seattle until she married and had children. She spent the rest of her life in Browns Point.

She was active in the Browns Point community, loved skiing, fishing, water sports and soaking up the sun. She was a wonderful cook and was the No. 1 fan at her daughter’s volleyball games and her son’s baseball games.

Katie is survived by her husband Bob, daughter Jane and son Evan, all of Browns Point, mother Merry Nye of Seattle, father Ted Birkland of Las Vegas, Nev., sisters Elizabeth (Brad) Sneed of Las Vegas, Nev., Annie Taylor of La Conner, Wash., and Kirsta Birkland of Scottsdale, Ariz., dear aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

We all will miss her love for us, her friendliness and her generous spirit.

A funeral will be held Sunday, Dec. 16 at 1 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Browns Point (6800 East Side Dr. N.E., Tacoma), followed by a gathering at the nearby Browns Point Improvement Club directly after the 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)

Family and friends will gather on December 15 in memory of KayLynn Mayhew. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:

KayLynn (Edgren) Mayhew was born April 23, 1961 in Colfax, Washington to Roger and June Edgren. She passed away November 24, 2018 at her home in Greenbank on Whidbey Island to her heavenly eternal home. She was 57 years old. Memorial services will be held at Hillside Evangelical Free Church, Greenbank, Washington on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 3 PM.

KayLynn spent her childhood in Colfax, grew up on Prune Orchard Road, and worked at the Elk Drug Store, her family’s pharmacy. She graduated from Colfax High School in 1979. KayLynn continued her education at Washington State University, graduating with a degree in pharmacy. She met her sweetheart, Bill Mayhew, during her college years at WSU and they married soon after she graduated in 1984. They were married 34 happy years.

KayLynn and Bill lived and worked in West Seattle for 32 years. They bought property on Whidbey Island and spent 10 years building their retirement home and gardens. One of KayLynn’s many joys was her involvement in the design and building of their home on Whidbey Island. Upon their retirements in 2015 they moved to the island full-time.

KayLynn was a lady with many talents. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, sewing, quilting, photography, reading, camping and hiking. She cherished her many adventures with Bill and times spent with her family, friends, and church community. She was always willing to help with weddings, parties, and church events with her many creative talents. KayLynn was a kind, gracious, patient, gentle and loving person to all that knew her.

KayLynn is survived by her husband, Bill Mayhew; sister Jana (Jeff) Daily, of Coeur d’Alene, ID, Jenna and Hayden; sister Shari (Darin) Griff of Hayden, ID, Shayla and Dylan; sister-in-law Sally (Jim) Pillers; sister-in-law Suzanne (Dean) Walker; sister-in-law Julie (Sid) Sever; brother-in-law John (Bev) Mayhew; 17 nieces and nephews, and 20 grandnieces and grandnephews. KayLynn was preceded in death by her parents, Roger and June Edgren, and nephew Daniel Walker.

Memorial contributions may be made to:
Ryan’s House for Youth on Whidbey Island, 19777 SR 20, Coupeville, WA 98239, www.ryanshouseforyouth.org
Young Life Whidbey Island, PO Box 1075, Freeland, WA 98249-1075, www.whidbey.younglife.org

(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 Friday (November 30th) in memory of June R. Essig. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing with the community:

On Thursday, November 15th, June Ruth (Marshall) Essig, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and aunt, passed away at the age of 83. June was a resident of West Seattle.

June will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 64 years, Ronald Essig, and their children, Michael (Kay) Essig, Patrick (Julie) Essig, Kevin Essig, Laurie (Terry) Fitzpatrick, Craig Essig (preceded in death), and Carrianne (Dale) Smith; grandchildren, Luci (Brock) Spencer, Alli (Jake) Nord, Kati Essig (preceded in death), Zachery (Anna) Essig, Joshua (Emily) Essig, Jennifer (Nick) Curmi, Lia Fitzpatrick, McKenna Smith, Devin Smith, and Dalton (Ally) Smith; great-grandchildren, Caroline, Amelia, Mikie, Ava, Colton, Hudson, Henry, Marshall, and Palmer; sister Marilyn Carlson; and several nieces and nephews.

June was born on May 26, 1935 in Syracuse, NY to Rosemary and Willard Marshall. When June was 2, the family moved to Peoria, Illinois, where she enjoyed growing up close to her grandparents, many cousins, aunts, and uncles. June met and fell in love with Ron in high school and married in 1954. June, a talented artist, earned a scholarship to the Chicago Art Institute. While raising her family of 6 children, June worked creating fashion illustrations for department stores and local newspapers in Peoria, IL. Her work in oil, pencil and pastel paintings were highly regarded and were sold throughout the US. Later, June became a graphic designer and art director for Flying Color Graphics in Pontiac and Chicago, IL.

In retirement, June followed her first love, caring for infants, at the First Baptist Day Care in Gulf Shores, AL. The past 8 years, June was a daily presence in the lives of her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. She was loved and gave love to so many. She will be remembered for her incredible artistic talent, warmth, kindness and love for life.

Services for June will be held at Holy Rosary Catholic Church on Friday, November 30th at 11 am, Fr. Oakland to preside. Reception will follow in Holy Rosary School Hall.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made in June’s name to Holy Rosary School, West Seattle

We will always carry your memory in our hearts, June, Junie, Mom, Gram, Mimi

(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 Sunday to remember Cole Luffman, 26:

Nicholas “Cole” Luffman passed away on November 12, 2018.

Lifelong resident of (Alki) West Seattle and graduate of West Seattle High School.

A Celebration of Life and memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 25th, 2018 at the Alki Beach Bathhouse from 12 pm to 4 pm.

Please share memories of Cole on the guestbook at emmickfunerals.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West 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 sharing this remembrance of Joyce Coleman:

R. Joyce Coleman, age 91, passed away in the presence of family on Friday, November 9, 2018, just short of her 92nd birthday. She was born November 15, 1926, in Yakima, to Delbert McClain and Blanche Oliver.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Frank and sons Robert and John. She is survived by her son Frank Jr., daughters-in-law Lena and Sue, grandsons Andrew and Ben, sister Marlene, brothers Bob and Don, and a great-grandson and great-granddaughter.

She was a resident of Seattle for over 78 years after moving from Yakima and lived a majority of her life in West Seattle, which she considered her home. She attended and was a member of West Side Presbyterian Church for over 65 years.

Joyce was a telephone operator prior to meeting Frank and getting married. After Frank retired, she went back to work at Seafirst Bank in the Mortgage Banking Department, and Frank drove her to work or the bus stop every day up until she retired. It was time they shared and enjoyed especially at Christmas so they could shop at Frederick and Nelsons, Nordstrom, and Macy’s.

She will be interred in a private gathering at Mt. Tahoma National Cemetery, where she will join her beloved Frank. A gathering will occur after the holidays for family and friends to share and get together in her honor.

Special Thanks to the staff and nurses at Providence Hospice and Home Care of Snohomish County for their loving care and assistance in her final days. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to this group of wonderful people and facilities.

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

Gatherings are planned next Saturday (November 24) in memory of Martin Anthony Picinich. Here’s the remembrance his family is sharing with the community:

On the afternoon of November 10th, 2018, at the age of 87, Martin left to join his Lord and Savior, due to several medical complications. He was surrounded by loving family and friends.

Martin was born on the Island of Sansego, Italy, on October 27th, 1931. He was the 2nd child and only son of Dominick and Giovanna.

Martin came to America as a young man from Sansego and soon met his future wife, Bernita, at a local dance. They were drawn to each other from that moment and were happily married and the best of friends for 64 years.

Martin was an avid, lifelong golfer. At one point, he accomplished an astonishing 5 holes-in-one during a 16-month period. Martin was also a beloved barber and hair stylist who owned his own shop in West Seattle for 40 years, and for whom his loyal clientele traveled far and wide.

As a member of Holy Rosary Parish in West Seattle and Our Lady of the Lake in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, he served the Lord, his community, family, and friends, and lived a life of faith alongside his wife and best friend, Bernita.

Martin is survived by his wife Bernita of Lake Havasu City, Arizona; daughters Theresa Samek of West Seattle and Barbara Ramey of Fairfax, Virginia; four granddaughters; and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Rina Tarabochia of West Seattle and Antoinette Mattessich and Faye Bruno of New York, as well as a large extended family.

Rosary, Memorial and Reception to be held at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, West Seattle
Saturday, November 24, 2018
9:30 a.m. – Rosary
10:00 a.m. – Memorial
Reception following

(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 Monday for Nicola A. Höhn. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:

Nicola Adlyn (Hart) Höhn, born on March 11, 1933 in Kingston, Jamaica, to Catherine Rose Elliott and Samuel Lester Hart, passed away at age 85 years on September 11, 2018 in Seattle.

She studied French at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland and then attended the Mayfair Secretarial College, London. Nicola was educated at Upper Chine School for Girls, Isle of Wight, UK for high school, after attending St. Hilda’s School, in Brown’s Town, Jamaica, near the birthplace of Bob Marley.

After immigrating to the US from Jamaica at age 47, she worked at Rainier Mortgage Bank as a Flood Specialist. After retirement, she worked as a companion to seniors, and most notably as a nanny to an entire litter of thoroughbred Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Nicola is survived by her son, Andreas; daughters, Gabriela and Christina; and brother, Stephen Hart. Nicola loved reading British crime dramas and watching European films; took classes in Geology and American Literature; enjoyed flowers and gardening; delighted in visiting far-flung family and friends in Jamaica, Australia, Canada, England, and Japan; and passed on her love of arts and crafts to her children. She was an animal lover, especially of the feline variety, and raised her children in a household filled with dogs, guppies, budgies, and guinea pigs. Most of all she was an aficionado of precise vocabulary and a stickler for good grammar.

The Memorial Service will be held on Monday, November 19, 2018 and officiated by Rev. Kevin Carr from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Alki Congregational United Church, 6115 SW Hinds Street. Friends and family are all invited.

Share memories of Nicola at www.emmickfunerals.com

Professional services provided by Emmick Family Funeral Services, 3243 California Ave SW, Seattle, (206) 935-2207.

(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 Alicia T. Watson, and her sister is sharing this with the community:

Alicia T. Watson (Wilhite)
January 7, 1964 – November 1, 2018

Alicia T. Watson (Wilhite) suddenly passed after long complications with health issues at her home in Seattle. Alicia is survived by her loving son Felix, 3 grandchildren Sophia, Felix IV and Vivian, her sister Linda, and her beloved Chihuahua Lovie.

Alicia was born in Alaska but spent most of her life in Seattle, the city she loved most. She was an Associate of the Sisters of Providence and enjoyed working the last few years at Taco Time. She enjoyed taking her Lovie for long walks and doting over her beautiful grandchildren and proudly watching them at their sporting events.

When we were young, you were my whole life, my world. We had our own way of communicating with each other that no one else could understand. This is how I remember you.

When we were young we had never ending energy to play in our own imaginary world. Building houses and castles and sometimes spaceships with our building blocks and Lincoln Logs. This is how I remember you.

When we were young we even found adventures in other people’s basements. Like playing hide and seek in Carmen’s basement or cleaning the many piles of sawdust in Mr. Cornelius’ basement workshop or getting scared trying to guess what was behind Cecilia’s locked basement door and running out screaming over our own imaginations. This is how I remember you.

When we were young we could entertain ourselves for hours with our sing-song hand slapping games or getting the giggles, really bad, at the worst times like in restaurants or worse at church. This is how I remember you.

When we were young you were my whole life, my world. I looked up to you in awe at how you knew so much and how sure you were of everything. And you took me by the hand and showed me the way and taught me so much. This is how I will always remember you.

Your sister Linda

You are much loved.

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

(ADDED OCTOBER 27: Memorial-service information)

Rodger E. Clement is being remembered by family and friends, including friend Marty Kiley, who wrote this remembrance:

This is my sweet friend, Rodger E. Clement. He died in his home October 17th. I was fortunate enough to have met him in Grief Group after his lovely wife, Mary, passed on and my husband decided to end our 45-year marriage.

He was in the Navy, worked at Boeing, was a devout Catholic and a very fine man. He was also in the Knights of Columbus. More than that he was my dear, dear friend. We went on cruises together and had a fabulous time in New York last year.

What I will miss the most about Rodger are the texts he sent me each and every morning laying out his day. I did the same, and in fact, he was the only person who knew where I was at all times. At night we exchanged texts again talking about how our day had gone. It was something special I could always count on without a missed text in all the years I knew him, which were not enough. Through his sorrow, he sang silly songs to me and told me dumb jokes. He held my hand when I needed it and we spent many hours together just talking.

He was a master wood turner but would never admit the total beauty of his work. Instead of selling his works of art, he would carefully stack them up one by one on a bookshelf in the basement. He spent a great deal of his talent contributing to his church by making a huge cross for the gym, benches, and things for the inside of the church as well. His beautiful art is scattered all over Our Lady of Guadalupe.

He and Mary were passionate about Square Dancing. He called the dances and she made the beautiful clothes. He had trouble adjusting to food after she died of breast cancer. She was a great cook and he struggled to eat much after she was gone. He always had his car radio tuned to the Fifties station. If you asked him how he was he would say he was full of the three V’s … Vigor, Vim, and Vitality. Sometimes he would just say ornery and laugh and give me a sweet smile and a little kiss.
.
He loved his home, his view of the sound, morning coffee with friends, time with his friend, Kathy and her dog, Lance. He was most proud of his family. His daughter, Diane, who only lived a Ferry Boat ride away and his son Mike, who lived in California. He knew every single one of his neighbors and loved having lunch at the Pub once or twice a week. He was a big Outlander Fan and read all the books before starting to watch the series with Kathy. He also was a huge AVATAR fan! He owned the DVD and watched it several times. He was a perfect gentleman at all times and told me more than once that his father told him to NEVER, EVER disrespect a woman.

Goodbye, my sweet friend, I will always, always miss you. You will be forever on my mind and in my heart. Tell Mary I said hello. She’s waited long enough for you. I love you, Rodger.

ADDED SATURDAY: Marty says Mr. Clement’s memorial service will be at Saint Elizabeth’s Church, 1005 SW 152nd Street in Burien, November 17 at 10 am. Please contact her for food head count:
martysuzannekiley3108 (at) comcast (dot) net

(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 family of Janet D. Neupert is sharing this remembrance with the community:

Janet Doris Neupert, 1949-2018

Janet Doris Adams was the eldest of six daughters born to Merwin and Marion Adams in Fergus Falls, MN. After graduating from Elbow Lake High School, she obtained her registered nursing degree from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

She met and married her husband of 45 years (Jerrol R. Neupert, M.D.) at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. With her husband drafted into the Navy, Jan served as a civilian newborn nursery nurse, while her husband was the base ophthalmologist. After the military, they moved to Seattle to establish an ophthalmology practice and Jan decided to concentrate on being a mom. Her passion was her church and her children, her grandchildren, and other peoples’ children. She was a devoted member and mentor of MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). Her gentle spirit and warm personality inspired everyone she met.

She is survived by her loving husband (Jerrol R. Neupert, M.D.), her children (Shevaun D. Neupert, Ph.D. and Erich R. Neupert), her grandchildren (Klára and Declan Hannig) and her father (Merwin Adams) as well as four of her sisters (Ione Adams, Gail Kvam, Faith Adams-Hanson, and Brenda Adams). Any donations are recommended to Mothers of Preschoolers (www.mops.org).

(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 Joyce Carsten, and planning to gather at two memorial services scheduled later this month. Here’s what they are sharing with the community:

Joyce I Carsten
November 21, 1930 – October 2, 2018

Full of life, laughter and a dedication to community service, Joyce Carsten, 87 years old, passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 2.

Born in Tacoma to Floyd and Della Baker, she graduated from Stadium HS and obtained her teaching degree from WSU. Joyce enjoyed teaching third and fourth grade in the Highline School District and later worked as an audiometrist. She also volunteered through her church and community with many service projects such as refugee resettlement and local food banks.

Joyce met Walt, the love of her life, when she was student teaching, and they married in 1952. Joyce and Walt were blessed with 3 children and 59 wonderful years of marriage. She was also a mother to more than 20 Rotary and ICYE exchange students. Over the years, Joyce and Walt traveled around the world to visit these students, who were like their own children. As the grandchildren began to arrive, Joyce lovingly devoted a great deal of time to these 6 young people. The family will cherish the many special memories of family trips and time together with Joyce.

Joyce is survived by her children Christine Carsten (John Dickerson), Laurel Bushue (Christopher), and Bruce Carsten (Peri Young); grandchildren Toren Carsten, Laina Carsten, Conrad Chapman, Allison Bushue, Cara Chapman, and Emily Carsten. She was preceded in death by her husband Walter Carsten, her brother Floyd Baker, and her parents Floyd and Della Baker.

Services will be held at Fauntleroy Church UCC at 9140 California Ave. SW on Friday, October 26 at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Fauntleroy Church Memorial Fund; Joyce was an active member for more than 50 years

There will be additional services at Judson Park at 23600 Marine Vw. Dr. S on Wednesday, October 24 at 2:00 pm. Joyce lived and loved her life at Judson Park for 10 years. Donations may also be made to the Judson Park Foundation.

(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 October 20th in memory of Jeff Jones. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with the community:

Jeff Jones, age 51, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Tuesday, October 2, at Swedish Hospital in Seattle. Jeff was born in Seattle on April 18, 1967, to John and Kathy Jones, and lived almost his entire life in the city he loved.

From the time he was born, Jeff had the innate ability to make those around him laugh and see the humor in life. He could lighten the day with a story, a simple look, or his legendary ability to recall arcane details, such as phone numbers from childhood friends. He truly lived for spending time with friends and family. This was especially true of his daughter Melissa, who was the apple of his eye. He enjoyed every minute with her, from playing ping-pong to watching Survivor, or just driving around town. He was a proud and loving dad and it showed.

Jeff was more than just one individual; many of us and a community connected through him. He is here in all of us, and in the ties that bind us to one another. Always bigger than life, always that guy, he remains so in the love we share for him and for one another.

He is survived by his daughter Melissa, mother Kathy, brother Joe, and many uncles, aunts, nieces, cousins, and his extended West Seattle family. As a tribute, family and friends of Jeff are invited to the West Seattle Golf Course at 1 pm on Saturday, October 20th, to reminisce, grieve, support each other, and share stories. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to the West Seattle Food Bank in his name.

Donations may be made to:
West Seattle Food Bank
3419 SW Morgan Street, Seattle 98126
206-932-9023
westseattlefoodbank.org

(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 family of Jackie Dupras will gather this Sunday (October 7), 1-3 pm, at The Hall at Fauntleroy for what her husband Ed Dupras describes as “a wake” in her memory. Jackie – who had been diagnosed with dementia – was missing for two weeks before her body was found last weekend on a greenbelt slope in South Alki. She was long active in the community, especially with the 34th District Democrats, for whom she served as the longtime newsletter editor; the group honored her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011. Ed Dupras says the event will be informal – open microphone if there are memories you want to share, but no official program. No flowers – he says “the guest of honor” wouldn’t have wanted them. The Hall at Fauntleroy is at 9131 California SW.

Family and friends will gather September 9th to celebrate the life of Shirley M. Morrison. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing with the community:

Shirley Mary Morrison 4/25/1923 – 7/26/2018

On July 26th, 2018, God gained the sweetest angel, preceded in death by the love of her life, Donald W. Morrison. Shirley graduated from WSHS in 1941, married Don in 1944, and together they had 3 children: Mary (Mike), Patricia (Scott), and Michael (Colleen). Mom, grandma, aunt, Nana, was the true matriarch of the family and loved to spend time with her 3 grandchildren: Kimberly (Dino), Aaron (Julie), and Paige, as well as her 3 great-grandchildren: Kirk, Addison, and Vanden.

After retiring from over 30 years of service with Sears and Roebuck Co. in 1989, Shirley was able to dedicate more time toward her passion for health and fitness. A true inspiration to all who knew her… she would spend most of her days walking the beach of Alki near her home, pumping iron at Harold’s Health Club, and preparing delicious, healthy meals for her family and friends.

Shirley had a smile that could light up any room. Not only was she beautiful, loving, and patient, but she had the best sense of humor! You could spend hours laughing, telling jokes, and talking with her about years gone by. She influenced so many lives with her kind and giving spirit. We will think of her living in the hearts she touched, because she was loved so much.

A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held Sunday, September 9th, at the Chelan Cafe in West Seattle from 3-6 PM. Please come help us celebrate Shirley’s beautiful life! Please share memories of Shirley on her guestbook at EmmickFunerals.com

(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 family of former West Seattleite Mike Hawley is sharing this remembrancce:

CW4 Michael Warren “Mike” Hawley (U.S. Army Ret.), a resident of Dothan, AL, passed away on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 from injuries sustained in a helicopter crash in Granger, TX. Funeral services were held this past Monday, August 27, with burial following at Meadowlawn Memorial Park in Enterprise, AL.

Mike was born August 14, 1960 in Seattle and spent the early part of his life in West Seattle. He was a 1978 graduate of West Seattle High School and attended South Seattle Community College and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Excelsior College and was currently working on a Masters Degree. Following school, he joined the U.S. Army 2nd Battalion Rangers, then later left and re-signed as a Warrant Officer and attended flight school. He served as a helicopter pilot for over 20 years prior to his retirement. Mike was enjoying his military retirement working as a part-time contract helicopter instructor pilot in Texas. He has resided in Dothan since 2006 and was an avid golfer, enjoyed fishing, and loved smoking a good cigar.

Mike’s career highlights as a pilot are as follows: B Co., 2nd Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 75th Infantry (Ranger), (SOCOM) Ft. Lewis, WA, Special Operations Infantryman; B Co, 1st Battalion, 160th SOAR (Special Operations Aviation Regiment), Ft. Campbell, KY, AH-6J Special Operations Pilot;); 1-14th Aviation Training Battalion, Ft. Rucker, AL, Senior Instructor Pilot/Master Gunner OH58D(R); 1-17th Air Cavalry Squadron Fort Bragg, NC; 1st Battalion, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Standardization Instructor Pilot OH-58D(R); Blackwater Aviation, Baghdad, Iraq, Lead Pilot MD-530F; DynCorp, Kabul, Afghanistan (Special Mission Wing) Counter Narco-Terrorism Program, Standardization Instructor Pilot Russian Mi-17; Utility Aviation, Brunner Aerospace, Georgetown, TX, Senior Instructor Pilot MD-530F.

Survivors include his wife, Tonisha Hawley; his daughters, Audrey Hawley, Alexandria Hawley, and Heather Hawley; his in-laws, Harold and Mary Sconyers; sisters, Jackie (Bruce) Leland and Kathie (Jon) Hall; brother, Jeff Hawley; sister-in-law, Tangela (Kevin) Souders; brother-in-law, Jeff (Erica) Sconyers; nieces and nephews, Michael Maier, Rick Maier, Marilyn Souders, Maddie Souders, Maredith Sconyers, and Garrison Sconyers; grandchildren, Chelsea and Jesslyn; 3 great-nieces also survive. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Marjorie Hawley.

Mike will be greatly missed by his loving family and amazing friends. He had a true love for life and never met a stranger. Everyone who knew him loved his infectious laugh and sense of humor which led to his natural ability to make others laugh.

(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 next weekend to celebrate the life of Treva J. Koler, and are sharing this remembrance with the community:

Treva Jane Koler (nee McLaughlin) passed away peacefully due to cancer on August 14, 2018, surrounded by members of her family. Her memorial and Celebration of Life will be held 2 – 5 pm Sunday, September 2nd, at Evergreen Washelli.

Treva Jane was born in Laramie, Wyoming, March 4, 1928 to Joseph Henry McLaughlin (1904-1980) and Treva Wilma (Williams) Mclaughlin (1904-1988). She married Richard Kenneth Koler (1927-2000) of Casper, WY in 1948, and they raised their family in Eastern Washington and Seattle (since 1966). She was a bookkeeper 20 years for Dr. Laidig and spent 20 years of her retirement as a volunteer for the Discovery Shop in West Seattle. Her home was a gathering place for all. Many a dinner included kids from the neighborhood or school-chums. Treva was engaging and informed. She loved her travels to see her daughters in Sweden and Turkey, enjoyed singing in choirs, going to the theater, playing cards, telling stories, and doing puzzles. Her family and her spiritual life were very important to her.

Treva was a 15-year survivor of stomach cancer, but earlier this year there was evidence of a new cancer. She elected not to have any treatment as she was 90 years old and ready to move on. Family members, a couple of loving caregivers, and Providence Hospice visiting nurses provided 24-hour care during her last six weeks, so she was able to die peacefully in her own apartment. She was briefly present at the family reunion held the beginning of July to celebrate her 90th birthday. 37 members of her family gathered to honor her. It was amazing to witness her inner vitality as she struggled with cancer.

She is survived by her sister Margaret and husband Martin, all her 7 children and spouses — Don (Xiang-Yue), Larry (Cate), Debi (Tamer), Janece (Marv), Cheryl (Gunnar), Maurine (Suzanne), and Kathy (Andy) — 14 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, and 15 nieces and nephews.

She will be dearly missed by her friends from her church group, the Discovery Shop, her Cancer Survivor support group, and the residents of Bridge Park, the retirement center where she lived.

A memorial service and reception will be held September 2 at 2:00 p.m. at Evergreen Washelli, 11111 Aurora Ave. N. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Providence Hospice of Seattle Foundation, who were so instrumental in helping the family provide care.

(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 sharing this remembrance of 90-year-old Donald C. Kelly:

Donald Charles Kelly died peacefully in his sleep on August 8, 2018 at his daughter’s home in Ashland, Oregon. He was 16 days short of his 91st birthday.

Born in West Seattle on August 24, 1927 to George Leo Kelly and Hannah Margarite Oberg, Don and his sister Maxine spent their formative years growing up a stone’s throw from Alki Beach. Don always enjoyed the water, especially that of Puget Sound, and always seemed to have a boat, even sewing by hand the sails for his first sailboat.

He graduated from West Seattle High School in 1945 and enlisted in the Navy at the end of World War II, serving on a landing ship medium (LSM) in the Panama Canal, Mississippi River and Florida waters as an engine mechanic until his Honorable Discharge from active duty as Fireman, First Class, in 1946. He remained in the Navy Reserve until 1954.

After his discharge in 1946, Don studied mechanical engineering at Gonzaga and was always proud of his Bulldog connection. He took a job working at remote logging camps and later scavenged cut logs from Puget Sound beaches by tugboat.

His best friend, Fred Bell, introduced Don to Betty Jo Keelen, and they were married in 1951. There followed three sons and a daughter and the family lived in the South Puget Sound area while Don worked for an oil company before he started work in heavy equipment sales, specializing in conveyor systems for aggregate production, leading to his nickname “Rock Crusher” and the subsequent name of his heavy equipment consulting business. Don moved the family as his career evolved, living in Sherwood and Tigard in the Portland area. He later moved the family to Medford in 1975 when Empire Rubber needed him to run a branch office selling heavy conveyor equipment.

Betty and Don went their separate ways in 1979 and Don traveled the country plying his trade, living in places such as Connecticut, Kentucky, Alaska and California before settling in the Portland/ Vancouver area, buying and selling heavy equipment until his retirement in 2014. He moved to a retirement home in Ashland in 2015 to be close to family, and then moved in with his daughter and her husband the following year.

Don was an ebullient salesman and never allowed anyone he met to remain a stranger. He loved the outdoors, especially anywhere near the water, and once waterskied along the Inside Passage on his way back from Alaska. He enjoyed fishing and rafting, including his last trip down the Class IV rapids of the Klamath when he was 80. He relished his role as grandfather and would visit his grandchildren in Ashland often, treating them to annual words of wisdom every Christmas. He also made sure to bring a doggie treat for Jackson every time he visited.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father, and sister. He is survived by his four children, Donnie, Tim (of West Seattle), Lee (of West Seattle) and Joann (Brent); six grandchildren, Jasmine, Bonnie, Zachary, Marcus, Kiley, Adeline; one great-granddaughter, Amelia, and the Wallis clan of Twisp, Washington. A private graveside service will be held on his birthday at the National Cemetery in Eagle Point.

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

One year after Jim Theuer‘s death, family and friends plan to gather to celebrate his life next Sunday. Here’s the announcement:

JIM (James) THEUER Memorial
WEST SEATTLE BOWL
Sun, Aug 19, 2018 2-3:30 pm
(lived Aug 4, 1957-Aug 17, 2017)

Jim Theuer died last year – Aug 17, 2017 – in Virginia, his home for 25+ years. Yes, the Jim with the unpronounceable last name who went to Alki Elem, Madison & West Seattle High. In Seattle, Jim worked at Quesnel’s (yes, on Beach Drive) and at UPS.

At some time in Virginia, Jim went by JT (no time wasted on his last name). In Virginia, Jim worked and did voiceovers at firm whose customer of note was Domino’s Pizza. Jim also did Rodney Dangerfield bits until you laughed/cried. In Virginia, Jim got married and had a son, John. Sadly, the marriage did not last, but Jim’s love for his son did, and Jim had primary custody of John, when John was 13.

Jim/JT is survived by his son, John, of Winchester, VA, and Jim’s mother and sisters, all in the Puget Sound area, and a host of nephews and nieces. Jim was a pro bowler for a short time, so come and remember him in his element. Mom Suzanne, sisters Diane, Sally & Janice and Jim’s son John will be there, set up on 4 lanes.

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

Kevin J. Cota‘s family is sharing this remembrance with the community:

Kevin Jerome Cota

Began his journey February 4th, 1964 – Changed Paths July 12th, 2018

Kevin was born in Las Vegas, NV but called West Seattle home for most of his childhood and adult life. He moved to Alki to start his story. Kevin loved his experiences with his friends from West Seattle and Alki Elementary. If you knew Kevin from school, then either you are a teacher who had to get on him for his homework or a friend who remembers him for his warmth and joy.

He was a pressman at the Seattle Times for over 20 years and had an unbreakable bond with his friends and colleagues. Kevin loved his job and loved his colleagues more. He was always there to lend a hand when anyone was down; it was his mission to win everyone over and at least try to make a connection. He organized events to raise money for any colleague suffering from illness. If you knew him, then you know what a big heart he had.

Kevin’s strength was not in his muscles but in how big his heart was for everyone. He chose to look at each day of his life as a gift and offered love and kindness when someone was feeling down. Throughout his own battle with cancer, Kevin was often worried about the wellbeing of others in his life and reached out to comfort them.

He lost his fight with cancer July 12th, 2018, surrounded by people who love him dearly.

He is survived by his husband Bruce, sister Theresa, countless extended family and friends (Ron, Daniel, Cathi, Val and Mark, Bonnie, thank you! and many others), and his true love, his mutt Murphy J.

Kevin blessed us all with his kind heart, his easy laugh, and his infectious joy for music, scary movies, and the simple pleasures of hanging out with his beloved people. He made us better. He made us kinder. Though our hearts are broken, the memories and love Kevin gave to us are ours to keep.

Kevin wanted to extend a heartfelt thanks to Dr. Peter Shalit and the Oncology care team at Virginia Mason; Dr. Aboulafia, Dr. Beiter, Dr. Yao, Social workers and ALL of the supporting team. Kevin had an amazing team who tried everything, were generous with their compassion, and, best of all, gave him more time with us.

We will all be touched by cancer at some point, so please consider any size donation to Cancer Pathways (Formerly Gilda’s Club) or Virginia Mason Oncology department. He lived longer as a result of their care and love.

We love you, Kevin!

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