A funeral Mass is planned tomorrow in West Seattle to celebrate the life of Kathie Delaney Nielsen, 58. Here’s the remembrance her family is sharing with the community:

Kathie was born in Spokane on February 12, 1959, the youngest of four daughters of Thomas P. and Dorothy Delaney. The family moved to West Seattle when Kathie was 8, and she graduated from Holy Rosary Elementary and Holy Names High School. Kathie worked at the Seattle Times, first as a messenger, then in the circulation department as a receptionist and a district advisor, where she made lifelong friends, and where she met her future husband John Nielsen.

Kathie loved singing and playing her guitar. Family parties centered around her playing and singing John Denver songs for all her sisters, brothers-in-law, Mom, Dad, nieces, cousins, and friends. She had an incredible sense of humor and she and her favorite cousin Mark would entertain us for hours with their crazy skits, and later with her husband, John, keep us laughing with their clever banter.

She was outgoing, loving, welcoming to everyone she met, and cared deeply about helping people. Kathie adored her husband John, and her son Lucas was the light of her life. Lucas’s daughter Kendall brought such joy to them all and was the centerpiece of their life from the moment she entered it.

She is survived by her husband of 33 years, John, son Lucas & granddaughter Kendall, her three sisters, Patty (Chuck) Lutz, Chris Hanley, and Sue (John) Stine, Jim Hanley, her nieces Jennifer Vike Hanson, Charlotta Jackson, Jeannine Manuel, Jamie Hanley, Maureen Lutz, Jessica Greene, Erin Lutz, Delana Newell and nephew Kenny Nielsen, and her Zappone cousins. A funeral mass will be held in celebration of her life on Thursday, May 4th, at 11 AM at Holy Rosary in West Seattle. Donations may be made in Kathie’s name to the charity of your choice.

Kathie left us far too soon and we will all miss her until we are with her again.

(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 Friday, May 19th, to remember Jan Gedney. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:

Jan was born and raised in West Seattle and attended the University of Washington. She was an incredible artist, avid football fan, and musician. She was exceptionally intelligent, witty, imaginative, and loved to laugh—unable to ever pass up an impromptu game of word play or jump into comedic sing song. She was generous, thoughtful, loved life, people, and animals. She brought joy to all who knew her.

Jan passed away at her home in Silverton, Oregon. She is preceded in death by her parents Asa and Betty (Greenman) Gedney and sister Mary (Gedney) McClane. She leaves behind her brother Mike Gedney and his wife Arlene; her nephew Mike McClane and his wife Jennifer Stephens; her niece Shawn (McClane) Williams and her husband Brian; grand nephews and nieces Jason, Tide, Tally, Elly, and Cash, their children; and many extended family members and dear friends.

A memorial service will be held May 19th at 2 pm at West Side Presbyterian Church, 3601 California Ave SW. Reception following.

Jan’s family encourages donations in her memory to the American Diabetes Association (diabetes.org). With each donation, the Arbor Day Foundation will plant a tree in a recently damaged national forest.

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

As family and friends remember Merrilee Hagen, this obituary provided by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society explains her legacy for the entire community:

The longtime West Seattle resident who sparked acquisition of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s “Birthplace of Seattle” Log House Museum on Alki has died.

Merrilee Ann Blackinton Hagen, a former board president of the historical society, a longtime real-estate broker and a prolific painter of local scenes, had been recovering from lymphoma when she died of a massive stroke on Sunday, April 9, 2017, in her home across from her alma mater, West Seattle High School. She was 73.

“Merrilee is one of the giants in our organizational history,” said Clay Eals, executive director of the historical society. “The impact of Merrilee on our organization was wide-ranging, but easily her most enduring contribution was her vision and action to acquire our museum.”

Merrilee served as board president in 1994 and 1995 when the organization was meeting and storing items at then-South Seattle Community College and was looking for a permanent headquarters of its own.

As a broker who “knew West Seattle like the back of her hand,” Eals said, she learned that the 1904 log home at 3003 61st Ave. SW was for sale and might be razed or moved. The building, one of the last three log structures on Alki, originally served as the carriage house for the nearby Fir Lodge, which became the Alki Homestead restaurant.

On behalf of the historical society, Merrilee immediately began to organize a campaign to purchase the building by securing a portion of mitigation funds offered by Metro as part of a West Seattle sewage-pipeline project. Volunteers worked the phones from her real-estate office, calling residents of Alki and Beach Drive, encouraging them to vote for the acquisition, which would be the first step in restoring and opening the building as a community-history museum.

The campaign was successful, and after extensive fundraising and exhibit preparation by Merrilee and other volunteers, the museum opened on Nov. 13, 1997, the 146th anniversary of the arrival of the Alki Landing Party. The museum will mark its 20th anniversary this fall.

Merrilee tells the museum acquisition story in this four-minute video from the Nov. 14, 2015, annual meeting of the historical society held at High Point Library:

In recent years, Merrilee regularly attended the historical society’s Champagne Gala Brunch and contributed her unique paintings of the Alki Lighthouse, the Alki Homestead and other icons as auction items. Her painting of the Historic Admiral Theater was part of an auction package at the 2016 Gala last Nov. 5 and was presented to the winners, Maryanne Tagney and David Jones, at the grand-reopening celebration of the theater one month ago on March 22.

A one-eighth member of the Samish Indian Nation, Merrilee was born to Chester and Shirley Blackinton on July 15, 1943, in Bellingham, the second child of four. She lived on Orcas Island until age 4, when her family moved to downtown Seattle then, one year later, to a West Seattle beach house at 59th Avenue Southwest and Southwest Carroll Street, across from the original one-room Alki schoolhouse.

She attended Alki Elementary School, and as a third-grader one of her highlights was attending the 1951 ceremonial celebration of the Alki pioneer landing. (In later years, she delighted in discovering her signature in the guest book at the Alki Lighthouse from when her Girl Scout troop visited there in 1953.)

After attending then-Madison Junior High School, she graduated from West Seattle High in 1961. In high-school years, she served as a “candy striper” volunteer, operating elevators at Seattle Hospital.

She briefly studied commercial art at Edison Art College downtown. In 1963 at age 19, she married Oscar Hagen Jr., a Navy veteran and Boeing office and computer worker, and they lived in the north Admiral and Seaview neighborhoods.

Merrilee gave birth to their only child, Melissa, in 1969, and her family welcomed long-term stays from relatives and friends in subsequent homes in the Highland Park and Arbor Heights neighborhoods.

After working briefly in the shipping department at Sears downtown, Merrilee was a full-time mom, busying herself with projects such as canning garden produce and painting the faces of Raggedy Ann dolls made by her grandmother.

Merrilee and Oscar divorced in 1982, and she moved to Marguerite Court on Alki. With her moves, she had developed an interest in real estate, starting a career in 1977 as a broker for Evan Carlson Realty on California Avenue and opening a realty business with Karis Malagon near 35th Avenue and SW Alaska Street.

She further developed interests in gardening and painting while transitioning to work for high-school classmate and West Seattle broker Rich Bianchi in the Junction and later for John L. Scott and moving to a succession of homes south of the Junction, in Burien, on Beach Drive, across from Lincoln Park, behind the Admiral Theater, and to a home west of the Junction to care for her mother.

Her watercolor, oil, and acrylic paintings filled every wall of her homes and hung in her real-estate offices, and her coordination of home tours for the historical society in the 1990s and early 2000s prompted her to create themed poster paintings for those events.

Merrilee retired as a broker in 2005 while battling Crohn’s disease. Following her mother’s death, she moved to lower Queen Anne and, two years ago, to the Island View apartment complex across from West Seattle High School.

Besides her devotion to West Seattle and the historical society, Merrilee was known for her keen memory and low-key sense of humor (one of her maxims was “Never pass up a good straight line”) and for staying in touch with and taking care of family and friends.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Terry Cooper, of Highland Park; siblings Linda Blackinton, Daniel Blackinton, and Eileen Addison of Seattle; and ex-husband Oscar Hagen of SeaTac.

Her ashes will be scattered near the family home in the Guemes Channel north of Anacortes, and there will be no public memorial service. The Southwest Seattle Historical Society will host a time of remembrance for Merrilee during its annual Independence Day picnic from noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, 2017, in the museum courtyard.

(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 have said goodbye to Craig K. Coach, and are sharing this remembrance with the community:

Craig Koch Coach died this morning (April 15th) after a short battle with cancer.

He leaves behind his loving wife Mary; his sister Karen (Bill) Smitherman of Tacoma; his brother Chuck (Lynnette) of Albuquerque, NM. Preceding in death are his parents Ray Sr. and Laura Jean Coach, and his brother Ray Coach, Jr.

Craig graduated from West Seattle High School, Class of ’68, and the University of Washington. He loved his time with his poker buddies, “Go Class of ’68!”

The family sincerely thanks the help of Providence Hospice staff for their compassion and understanding.

At Craig’s request, there will be no services. Memorials can be made to the West Seattle Alumni Association or Providence Hospice 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)

Even if you didn’t know Jennifer Jennings, you might have seen her with her dog, out for a walk on Alki. Friends and family will gather on Saturday, April 22nd, to remember her, and are sharing this remembrance/invitation:

West Seattle lost its beloved Jennifer Jennings on March 22. She was 68.

She and her sweet little dog “Mr. Bean” walked along Alki Beach daily & could be found afterward amongst community at Tully’s Coffee across from the Alki Bathhouse.

Jennifer taught art classes for many years at the Alki Bathhouse and along with “Mr. Bean” was one of Alki’s & West Seattle’s adored locals.

Come celebrate her life with your stories & memories, along with “Mr. Bean,” at:

When: Saturday, April 22, 11:00 A.M.

Where: St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 3050 California SW in West Seattle.

There will be a 2:00 P.M. reception at Tully’s Coffee @ Alki Beach, 2676 Alki SW, across from the Alki Bathhouse.

(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 have said goodbye to Shirley Ann Shepard, and are sharing this remembrance with her community:

Shirley Ann (Leach) Shepard, 85, of West Seattle, passed away peacefully at home on March 31st, 2017. Born in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, on November 5th, 1931, Shirley moved to Seattle in 1952. Shirley’s caring presence touched the lives of many while working at the Admiral Way Safeway Store. After her retirement in 1997, Shirley continued playing bingo, enjoyed watching golf, reading, crossword puzzles, playing cards, and cooking for her family and friends. She was a beautiful woman, wonderful Mother who everyone gravitated toward.

As a young girl growing up in the Midwest, Shirley enjoyed many things. Some of her fondest memories were from living in Grafton, North Dakota, 1935-1945, and Fargo, 1945-1952.

Shirley would talk of her Mother’s cooking and how she never used a cookbook. The smell of her fresh-baked bread and her stew was the best. Memories of learning to drive Harold’s Buick, ice skating on the Red River, sledding and cross-country skiing – with snow being abundant, the best part of all, everything was free!

Living in Fargo, Shirley went to school at St. Anthony’s, Agazzi Middle School, and Fargo High School. While attending school she had several different jobs – Piggly Wiggly, Red Owl, and Dutch Maid, just to name a few.

Our Mom – Shirley, we were so blessed to have one the most wonderful women on this earth as our mother.

Not only was she a mother of four, Shirley was a second mom to so many people outside our family. Shirley treated everyone she met with kindness and compassion, and touched the hearts of those around her. Everyone was invited into her home, and there was always an extra helping to give. Her door was always open to anyone who needed help. She took in friends in time of need with no questions asked – just her generosity, love, and support to give. She handled the issues at home with love and understanding, never in anger, and would always give comfort while teaching a good lesson learned.

To say she was organized would be an understatement. Her home was spotless at all times, meticulously cleaned and arranged to perfection. She instilled that same trait into most of us.

At work, Shirley kept the same standards; she took care of every customer like the ultimate caregiver she was. Shirley served as the Safeway Employees Association (SEA) president for years, organizing functions and meetings for her beloved Safeway family.

As a mom, she always put her children first; even in tough times, she had money for bowling, golf rounds or a trip to the hobby shop to race, Legos, Barbie dolls for girls, and the latest 45 records.

At home, there was always a treat baked (crazy cake, cookies), Jello in the fridge, and a candy drawer fully stocked. She made sure our favorite treat was in ready supply. The neighbor kids and friends would come over and make a beeline to the candy drawer to see what treat awaited them.

Shirley was the taxi service for the boys and their teammates, taking them to baseball games or practice, to the bowling center for Saturday-morning league, and all the other sporting events or functions. She loved to play cards with the family – gin rummy, pinochle, cribbage or Skip-Bo, just to name a few. Trips to Birch Bay were a summertime ritual for the family, her favorite vacation destination to gather with our friends. Shirley didn’t mind sitting in on the occasional poker game with her sons when she came home from work, and she always won even if she wasn’t trying to. Shirley was blessed that way.

Shirley loved to give, always having time for her neighbors at her home and the apartment building which she called home for 15 years. Shirley enjoyed fixing extra meals or sending care packages to her neighbors. Shirley had so much fun with her friends on the senior bus trips to the casinos. She loved Keno and Copper Dropper!

Shirley enjoyed music. The Bee Gees were her favorite. To stay current with her children’s music tastes, she would watch MTV back in the ’80s. Later in life, she loved to watch golf and follow her favorite players. Tiger Woods and Fred Couples were at the top of the list.

Shirley would start her day with a pot of Yuban coffee, Columbo, and Matlock. She also enjoyed working her word search puzzles while she watched all the Hallmark shows, Turner Classic Movies, and various shows on Food Network. The simple things in life was all she needed to enjoy each and every day.

On her last day, we were all there to share in her passing. Hand-in-hand and in prayer, she was taken to the heavens, to share her love with family and friends who have preceded her. We couldn’t have hoped for a more beautiful passage.

We, her children, have a tough task ahead following in our mother’s footsteps, raising the bar of humanity to the highest standards. We will do our best to honor her every day, by the example she set – KINDNESS, CARING, LOVING, COMPASSION, AND, GIVING.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Emma Leach. Shirley is survived by her children Mike (Sue), Pat, Carolyn, and Deanna (Terry); brother Veron Useldinger; sister Joyce Rivinius; and brother Marvin Leach. She is also survived by three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. At her request, a small private memorial and dinner gathering was held April 9th, 2017. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to www.alivingtribute.org: Your plant-a-tree gift in memory of Shirley Shepard will support reforestation efforts in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Condolences may be made at her online obituary.

(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 April 21st for John Prentice, whose family is sharing this remembrance with the community:

On the morning of March 30, 2017, John Prentice packed up his tools, grabbed his saxophone and a handful of tulips, and headed for greener pastures. John’s 91 years ended after a mercifully short battle with cancer, but he met every day to his last with humor, kindness, and curiosity.

John was one of 5 brothers born in Portland, OR, and upon early graduation from high school, enlisted in the Navy and served in WWII as a radioman on ships in the South Pacific. After his discharge, he graduated from Portland University with an engineering degree, was quickly hired by The Boeing Company, and moved to West Seattle to start his family.

He outlived two wives — Mary, who passed in 1986, and Ava, who passed in 2013 — but never lost his ready smile, his drive to understand the world around him, and his joy in sharing his knowledge with anyone willing to learn.

He is survived by his 3 children — John Jr., Mary, and Paul; 3 grandchildren — Brianna, Shandra, and Ian; and 2 great-grandchildren — Miles and Lucy.

A celebration of his life will be held in the Pigott Chapel at Providence Mount St. Vincent on Friday, April 21st at 1:00 pm. Remembrances can be made to The Providence Mount St. Vincent Foundation in 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 remembering Peggy Cook, 92. Here’s the tribute they’re sharing with the community:

Peggy A. Cook, 12/24/1924 – 03/08/2017

A true friend to everyone and anyone she met.

An adventurist at heart: through person to person interaction, reading accounts of people’s lives or history, and living in communion with nature. A poet, Woman in the Trades (construction), Rosie the Riveter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother … great, great grandmother!

Peggy endured many a challenge in her life, yet always emphasized the good through it all, and held herself accountable for her actions.

She had a positive effect on everyone, and if you believe in “six degrees of separation”, you know she will continue to have a positive effect forever on all of humanity.

In her memory, please pay it forward whenever possible, offer a kind word and touch, and breathe in life through nature and sharing with others.

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

Services are planned Tuesday for Clement John “Chelly” Chelminiak, 96. Here’s the remembrance his family is sharing with the community:

Clement John Chelminiak – July 17, 1920 to March 17, 2017

C.J. Chelminiak lived a remarkably American life. He loved his family, his community, and he had a deep faith in God.

Born in South Bend, Indiana, he ran outside to watch the Spirit of St. Louis fly over. That inspired a young man and he worked 42 years at Boeing and was one of Joe Sutter’s “Incredibles” who designed the 747. He enjoyed the Boeing retirees lunch in Renton on Thursdays.

“Chelly” was all about family. He is survived by his children, Paul, Kathy, and John (Lynn Semler). There are four grandchildren, Mindy Simmons, Kelsy Ausland (Aaron), Morgan Tuff, and Megan Chelminiak, and a great-grandchild, William Ausland. His youngest sister Antoinette (Angie) Claxton survives him. He was preceded in death by his parents Leo and Theresa Chelminiak, brothers Ted and John, and sisters Gertrude McKiel and Sr. Helen Marie C.R.

The greatest commitment of his life was to his wife Gertrude Kroll, who left us much too soon. He wore his wedding ring through more than 30 years of grieving. And now, they are dancing a polka in heaven.

Dad and Mom moved to Seattle toward the end of World War II. They came with son Paul, and soon daughter Kathy arrived; son John arrived at West Seattle Hospital in 1952. They lived in apartments along California Ave. SW, not far from West Seattle High School. They made lifelong friends in those apartments – other families, most of whom worked at Boeing. We spent our major holidays together with those families for several decades.

In 1949, Dad built the family home on Genesee Hill. He remained in the home until days before his death. The neighborhood was his closest family. Growing up, we had water fights, picnics, parties, touch football games and incredible Fourth of July celebrations. Those families grew up and moved out and new families came. Dad made fast and lifelong friends with those families, and they became part of our celebrations. West Seattle was his true home.

His rock was Holy Rosary Church, and he used his engineering skills on many building projects there. His neighbors on Genesee Hill were often his best friends. He loved the mountains, golfing, and Hawaii.

Chelly followed traditions. One of those passed down to all family members is making Polish sausage. It is the heart of all family celebrations. Dad was the master mixer. All of us were the grinders and stuffers.

Services will be Tuesday, March 28, at Holy Rosary Church – West Seattle. Rosary will be at 9:45 a.m., Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. with a reception to follow. A donation to the American Cancer Society is requested in lieu of flowers. Aloha!!

(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 for Clara J. Haba, 88, is planned in West Seattle next Saturday (March 25th). Here’s the remembrance her family is sharing:

Clara Josephine Haba passed away February 8, 2017, at Keiro Northwest in Seattle.

Born June 29, 1928, the second of six children, to Joseph and Eva Fitterer in New England, ND. The family moved to Yakima, WA, in 1946.

Clara met and married Henry J. Haba on July 3, 1948. Henry and Clara moved to Anchorage, AK, driving their brand-new 1949 Pontiac. She drove in the snow to get her driver’s license.

Clara had many jobs throughout her life. She worked as a waitress, cannery worker, Christmas help at the West Seattle Post Office, retouching photo negatives, modeling clothes from Louise North Apparel at Spencer’s Restaurant in West Seattle. Finally deciding on a career choice, she obtained her GED, then enrolled at the Cosmetology College in West Seattle, graduating at the top of her class in 1966. She then went to work for several major downtown Seattle department stores. Clara had many regular and loyal customers while working at Macy’s, where she retired after 20 years. Always wanting to keep busy, she then worked an additional nine years as the retired nuns’ beautician at the St. Joseph Residence (Providence Mt. St. Vincent). Her own hair seemed to grow upward and a hurricane couldn’t move it.

The family spent early years ice skating at the Civic Ice Arena. Clara was also a sunbather. Then came water-skiing in their 14’ ski boat, mostly at Lake Sammamish. The whole family also learned to snow ski and went on several ski vacations. The whole family in the same ski class should never happen. Only Clara could ski down a hill at such a slow speed and then crash into the lift line. They also traveled throughout the U.S., visiting 25 states and internationally covering 10 countries and seven times to Mexico.

The family lived in 10 different residences, half of which Henry built himself. This is where Clara used her talent for decorating and interior painting. You could come home and find the living room a different color. You would never forget what you look like as there was a mirror in every room. Entertaining, she loved and held many Halloween, Christmas and birthday parties. She was also an accomplished seamstress using her 1952 Singer, sewing everything from a boy’s suit, doll clothes, drapes, to her favorite, tableware and pillows. She was also obsessed with trim, lace and fringe. We all enjoyed listening to her play the piano (by ear). She was known for her stylish wardrobe, high heels and “can’t leave home without lipstick”; a store-bought item would soon be altered with a different look. She had the most beautiful smile.

Clara kept a clean and organized house, making all family meals and “sack” lunches, also famous for her homemade pies and cakes. They belonged to a dance group, which Clara loved. It being potluck, all demanded she bring her baked beans or cabbage rolls.

Clara is preceded in death by her parents (Joe & Eva), son (Eugene), brother (Louis), and sister (Matilda). She is survived by her husband of almost 69 years, Henry, and her daughter, Charlene, both of West Seattle. Also by sister (Viola) of Redmond, WA; brother (Frank & Sharon) of Yakima, WA; and brother (Donald & Pat) of Atlanta, GA; survived by over 30 nieces & nephews and great ones.

Donations in Clara’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Special thanks to Keiro Northwest for the professional and gentle care given to Clara. A Celebration of Life will be held on March 25, 2017, from 2-6 pm at the West Seattle Eagles, 4426 California Ave SW, Seattle. Go to Dignity at forestlawnseattle.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)

Family and friends will gather next Saturday to remember Esther Bath on what would have been her 97th birthday. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:

ESTHER HANNAH BATH – March 18, 1920 – January 25, 2017

Esther Daniel, the youngest of six children, was born in Detroit, Michigan. Her parents, Edward and Christine Daniel, had farmed their land and built a beautiful home using timber from the property they cleared. The entire family worked hard together and enjoyed each other’s company. Esther’s mother had only been able to attend school for a short time, but would recite long poems while she and her daughter cooked.

Esther attended Cass Technical High School in Detroit during the 1930s. It provided a rigorous study of fashion illustration and design, which remained a special interest throughout Esther’s life. She then continued her education at Wayne State University, where she met Russ Bath, another Detroit native. Russ dropped out of medical school in hopes of becoming a naval aviator. While he went through flight training in Pensacola, Florida, Esther finished her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. They were married in June of 1942.

Since the country was at war, Russ was stationed first in Pensacola, then Kansas City, and finally San Francisco. Russ was gone for long periods of time, but Esther kept busy gardening, sewing, volunteering with the Red Cross, exploring her new surroundings, and by 1944, taking care of son David. In 1946, daughter Chris was born, and Russ moved the family to Seattle, where he flew for the newly formed West Coast Airlines. Over the next four years Mary and Rusty completed the family, which had made West Seattle its permanent home.

Raising four children was a full-time job, but Esther managed to participate in the Arboretum Foundation, the Catherine B. Baker Art Club, the West Seattle Garden Club, and other organizations. When Esther first arrived in Seattle, she was fascinated by the native plants of the Northwest, so different from those in Michigan. Rhododendrons were of special interest and she grew many from cuttings, using them in the landscape of her Fauntleroy home. Bonsai trees, both in pots and in the ground, were another way she expanded her agricultural interest. Once the children were grown, Russ and Esther had the opportunity to travel throughout the world, which they both thoroughly enjoyed.

Esther was a remarkable woman who stayed active until the end of her life. She was a devoted wife to Russ (deceased); a beloved Mother to David (deceased), Chris, Mary (Frank), and Russ (Christine); an adoring Grandma to Christine (Brian), Ken (Carol), Jeanette, and David (Carmen); and an extraordinary Great-Grandma to Braxas and Connor.

Remembrances may be sent to:
The Arboretum Foundation
2300 Arboretum Drive E
Seattle, WA 98112-2300

A time to remember Esther Bath will be Saturday, March 18th, from 12-2 pm at The Kenney, 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW.

(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 Funeral Mass for Carl Newman, 79, is planned next Tuesday at Our Lady of Guadalupe in West Seattle. Here’s the remembrance his family is sharing with the community:

Carl Newman passed away February 24, 2017 in Seattle.

Carl, born Nov. 11, 1937, was a West Seattle resident since the mid-1960s. Carl has been active in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in West Seattle all his life, where he worked bingo, bazaars and spaghetti dinners in service to his church. Carl coached youth baseball and soccer for many years as well. Carl worked at Boeing as an inspector for 38 years.

Carl was the kind of person that would schedule his free time around helping others. He would drive halfway across the state to help a friend or relative fix a car or build stairs for their home. While Carl was very giving in this regard, you could tell he actually enjoyed the work and helping people.

One of Carl’s great passions was finding old cars and turning them into hot rods. Carl was in his element taking relatives and friends cruising in one of his rebuilt hot rods. A perfect day for Carl might include cruising the loop in Renton with the top down and a stop at an old-fashioned burger joint to talk hot rods with admirers. His hot rods won awards and got a lot of attention, and he loved to discuss tactics for restoring old cars with the people he met.

He is preceded in death by his daughter Amy and is survived by his wife Rhoda and sons Bill, Bob, and David. Carl’s grandchildren are Rob, Tom, Alex, Heather, Jessica, Dee, Vanessa, and Jonathan. Carl also has 6 great-grandchildren.

A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in West Seattle on Tuesday, March 14 at 11:00 am. Reception to follow. See more at: http://bit.do/carl-newman

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

Services are planned next week for Anna Lallas Rakus, 88. Here’s the remembrance her family is sharing with the community:

In life, as in her death, Anna Lallas Rakus, showed grace, dignity and fighting spirit, passing away peacefully in her West Seattle home on February 14, 2017.

Anna was born in Bellingham in 1928 to Greek immigrant parents, Tom and Estero Lallas. At the age of 10 while returning from a family trip to Greece, Anna and her 2 brothers John and George were orphaned when her parents were killed in an infamous train wreck. Anna and her brothers went to live with her mother’s brother, Gust Trames, and his wife Mary and their 3 children in Bellingham. By 16 she was working 3 jobs and helping to parent her brothers.

When Anna was 18, she was introduced to Gust Rakus, a fellow Greek from Everett. Swept off her feet, Anna and Gust were wed, moved to Seattle, and had 3 children. Their marriage was filled with everything Greek; loud, happy dinner parties with friends and family, the church, and her community. She was active with her husband in AHEPA/Daughters of Penelope, and served as Parish Council President of the Assumption Greek Church. She was a buyer for Doces Furniture and a top salesperson for Macy’s. Petite in stature, she had boundless energy and determination in every task she undertook, and could be a force to be reckoned with!

After 55 years of marriage, Gust passed away in 2004. Anna then filled her time attending to her gardens/orchids, volunteering for anything Greek that involved cooking, her family, and friends, and was always ready to go to lunch and shopping!

Anna is survived by her children, Diane, Tommy and Jamee (Dino). She will be remembered for her fierce perseverance in the face of adversity, her tenacious and feisty spirit, and warm hospitality. Although blurry in her last few years, she was up for any outing and was always ready to: “Let’s Go!” Our family thanks her many loving caregivers, and especially Chris Kelsey, with whom she formed a special bond.

Trisiagon Services will be held Tuesday, February 21st, at 7 pm, and funeral services Wednesday, February 22, at 11 am. Both will be held at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption, 1803 13th Ave, Seattle.
Donations can be made in her name to the Gust Rakus Hellenic Studies Collection at the U of W.

(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 the life of Elizabeth LaVerne Thorneycroft is planned on March 4th. Here’s the remembrance her family is sharing with the community:

Elizabeth LaVerne Thorneycroft, 94, entered Heaven’s gates on Thursday, February 2, 2017 in West Seattle. Born January 2, 1923, in Ketchikan, Alaska, she was the daughter of the late Alden and Betty Harvie. LaVerne married the love of her life, Norman Henry Thorneycroft, in February 1941. They resided in West Seattle where she and Norman welcomed their daughter Marilyn Anne.

LaVerne’s life can be summarized in four words: Faith, Family, Friendship, and Philanthropy. LaVerne had a kind spirit and sharp wit. She was a faithful servant who shared her love for Christ through her actions. As a longtime member of Fairmount Church and Admiral Congregational Church in West Seattle, she delighted in women’s fellowship, made friends everywhere she went and had a huge heart for those less fortunate. Knitting hats for the homeless was part of her 30-year stewardship with the Seattle Milk Fund, all while making sure every member of her family had a warm hat of their own. When she wasn’t knitting, setting up church luncheons or playing pinochle, she enjoyed traveling the globe and spent some of her most memorable years at Hood Canal with her family.

As a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, LaVerne was the matriarch of her family. Whether it was dinner shared around her kitchen table, or baking her classic banana cream pie and cookies, she loved cooking for her family. Fittingly so, as the rock of her family, LaVerne will lay to rest next to her husband at the Rock of Ages area at Washington Memorial Cemetery.

LaVerne is survived by her daughter Marilyn Anne Shoemaker, grandson Christopher Norman Shoemaker, granddaughter Keri Anne Patashnick (Lyle), and great-grandchildren, Seth Henry Patashnick and Emery Anne Patashnick. We will remember her smile, her warmth, her tenacity, her love of the Lord, family and friends. She made a difference in the lives of many.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2017, 11:30 am, at Admiral Congregational United Church in West Seattle. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Seattle Milk Fund at seattlemilkfund.org and the Senior Center of West Seattle at 206-932-4044 or online sc-ws.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 mourning 22-year-old Shane McClellan. Here’s the remembrance that’s being shared with the community:

Beloved son and brother, Shane Andrew McClellan, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 14, 2017.

Born on January 21, 1994 in Seattle, Shane grew up in West Seattle and passed at his home in Auburn.

He is survived by his mother, Judy Pierce, his father, Tim McClellan, and his three older brothers, Tim McClellan, Tom McClellan, and Sean McClellan.

He left us too soon and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Private memorial service will be held in West Seattle on February 4, 2017.

(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 to remember Charles W. Henke at 1 pm next Saturday (February 4th) at Hope Lutheran Church in West Seattle. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with the community:

Charles William Henke was born on December 9, 1926, in Gary, Indiana. He was the son of Charles and Martha Henke. He had one sister, Ruth J. Little of Aspen, Colorado, who died in March 2014.

Charles’ father, Charles Sr., was Captain of the Gary Fire Department. As a small boy, little Charles loved to spend time at the fire station sliding down the fire pole. If the fire alarm rang when Charles was in the station, it was his job to open the large doors for the fire trucks to exit. Sometimes his father would let him ride on the fire truck and ring the bell.

Charles and his family were members of St. John’s Lutheran Church, where he also attended school through eighth grade.

During his high school years at Tolleston High, Charles played drums in the band and was Lt. Colonel of the ROTC, in charge of the whole school. In his senior year, he would go to school in the morning, run home to eat a quick lunch, then take the trolley to the steel mill and work 8 hours, unloading an entire box car of bricks for the steel mill settling pond and furnaces.(hard, hot work). He earned $6.36 a day which was good money for that time.

Immediately following graduation, at the age of 17, Charles enlisted in the U. S. Navy and served in the Pacific where he remained until his father died in 1947. He was proud to serve his country.

Charles met his wife, Henrietta Ellen Little of West Seattle, in Chicago in 1949 at the wedding of his sister, Ruth, and Henrietta’s brother, William. Charles had seen a picture of Henrietta before the wedding and said that she was the girl he was going to marry. Charles went back home to Gary, Indiana where he began exchanging letters with Henrietta. Charles proposed to Henrietta in a letter and sent a ring to her father to give to her on Christmas. They were married June 10, 1950, by Pastor Emil Jaech at First Lutheran Church, because the new Hope Lutheran Church building was still under construction.

After the wedding, Charles and Henrietta went back to Gary and, on September 13, 1951, they had their first son, Charles Edward. When little Charles (Chuck) was 11 months old, Charles and Henrietta moved back to her home in West Seattle, where he bought her a brand new house on Gatewood Hill, overlooking Puget Sound with a stunning view of the Olympic Mountains. Two more children joined their family, Jeralee Ellen (Knittel) born December 17, 1953, and Steven Martin two years later, May 16, 1956. Charles and Henrietta lived and raised their family in this same home for 59 of the 61 years of their marriage and created many precious memories there.

On March 31, 1977, Charles and Henrietta had their first grandson, Timothy James Knittel. Over the next few years they were blessed with four more grandchildren, Elizabeth Ellen Knittel (Guzman) Sherilyn Joy Henke (Sweeney), Bethany Rose Henke (Rich), and David James Knittel. Several years later, two other grandchildren were added to the family, William and Molly Henke. Charles and Henrietta loved their grandchildren and made each one them feel special and accepted.

In addition to seven grandchildren, God blessed Charles and Henrietta with six great grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Emma, and Makenna Sweeney; James Guzman; and Izabella and Levi Rich. Right up to the end of his life, Grandpa Charles truly enjoyed having his great grandchildren visit. They brought him much delight!

Charles worked primarily in underground construction, building up manholes, catch basins, and laying water, storm, and sewer lines. He was involved in numerous projects in the Puget Sound area including Sandpoint Naval Base, Fort Lewis, Boeing Field, and Kent, Renton, and Everett Boeing Facilities, as well as, the 2nd runway at SeaTac Airport. He also worked at many other locations around the state, Snoqualmie Pass, Aberdeen, and Ellensburg to name a few. He was a member of local 440 Street Pavers and Tunnel Workers for over 50 years.

Charles and Henrietta served at Hope Lutheran Church from the time they moved to West Seattle. They and several other couples had a vision for a Lutheran parochial school which they thought was important for the spiritual and academic development of the children of Hope. Charles was a member of the Christian Education Board, Church Council, Personnel, and a longtime trustee. He taught Sunday school for many years and helped in any capacity where he was needed. He served the church and others throughout his long life.

Charles and Henrietta loved the Northwest and frequently traveled to the Olympic Peninsula to visit their son, Chuck and his family in the Elwha Valley. They enjoyed the mountains, and walking the ocean beaches of Washington and Oregon. They also took several cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean.

Charles remained active throughout his life and frequently helped his sons and daughter on various home projects-including running a backhoe, repairing water lines, unplugging sewers, and pouring and finishing concrete with his sons until a heart condition began to slow him down 2 years ago. He was a lifelong learner and was always willing to share his practical experiences with others.

Charles’ first priority was always his family. This was clearly demonstrated in his loving devotion to Henrietta during the last several years of her life. As she became weaker and less able to care for herself, because of a series of strokes and other medical issues, he cared for her every need with patience and tenderness. He expressed to his family what a great joy it was to be able to keep her at home and look after her through her final days.

Faithful service sums up Charles’ life. He loved his Lord. He loved his wife and family. He loved serving in his church. Charles humbly and willingly helped anyone who needed it. Everyone who knew him appreciated him and recognized his servant’s heart. We can imagine His Lord saying to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Please share memories and condolences on the guestbook at emmickfunerals.com. Funeral 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)

The family of Amy Paton is sharing this remembrance:

Amy E Paton
1/14/1921 – 1/20/2017

Amy E Paton, age 96, passed away on January 20, 2017 in Seattle.

She is survived by her granddaughters Lisa Gondola, Lynne Corgatelli, and grandson James Layton. She is also survived by five great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Amy lived a long, full and healthy life and will be greatly missed. A formal memorial service is not planned. In celebration of Amy’s life and memory, please consider a donation to the American Heart Association.

Share memories @ 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)

Kaarisa Karlten, originally known as Keitheen Nichols, has died at 57, and family and friends will gather soon in two cities to remember her. Here’s the remembrance her family is sharing:

Born Keitheen Ione Nichols on January 28, 1959, the middle child of five to Keith and Thomasine Nichols of Seattle, she passed away on January 12, 2017, battling breast cancer. Memorial celebrations will be held on January 28th at 3pm at Fauntleroy Church in West Seattle, and in LaGrande, Oregon on February 4th at 3 pm at LaGrande’s Marketplace, 1101 Washington Avenue.

A West Seattle High School graduate, Keitheen went on to study Interior Design at Bellevue College. She used her education in many creative endeavors from interior design, painting, drawing and murals.

Keitheen also attended Peninsula College in Port Angeles, Washington, and further studied Entrepreneurship, Business, and Multimedia. She lent her artistic talents to creating a backdrop and set for a local television production of “Storytime,” featuring local storytellers. And she put her education to use forming a business, Cottageware, putting her drawings and designs to work on aprons and kitchen dishtowels, selling them at local shops.

At 50 years old, she decided to change her legal name to Kaarisa Karlten, tired of her name being mispronounced her whole life.

She moved to LaGrande, Oregon in 2003, where she channeled her artistic talents with her husband, Wyatt Williams in their custom metal work business, Williams and Karlten Design and Fabrication. Their work can be seen among many businesses in LaGrande and surrounding areas.

Kaarisa believed in always leaving a place better than you found it, and her life is a legacy of that belief, whether you knew her for years, briefly, online or in person. She volunteered in many community events, even Delridge Day (photo at right) to help her daughter’s community. She was a vibrant soul who believed in living life to the fullest as your truest self.

She is survived by her husband Wyatt Williams; three children, Holli Margell, Hance Edwards, Hannah Jane Winn; two stepchildren: Garrett Williams and Kasey Lathrop; three grandchildren; her brothers Stephen Nichols and Michael Nichols; and sister Heidi Henry.

Photos by Holli Margell.

(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, friends, and fans will gather on Sunday to remember Melvyn Poll – a longtime Alki resident, prominent member of the Jewish community, and distinguished opera singer – who died on Thursday. Here’s the remembrance shared with the community:

It is with great sadness that we share with you the passing of our beloved Melvyn Poll on January 12th, 2017.

A Seattle native, Mr. Poll began his musical career at Temple De Hirsch Sinai in the children’s choir, directed by Samuel Goldfarb. A graduate of Lakeside School, the University of Washington undergraduate and the UW Law School, his vocal career spanned continents and decades, a recent highlight being his singing the National Anthem at the Husky football games for the last several years.

He will be forever remembered for his profound love of family and friends, his quick wit, and enormous generosity and talent.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife Rosalind, children Sydney and Shaya Calvo, Ryan and Lisa Poll, and adored grandchildren Sasha, Eli, and Sally.

A memorial will be held Sunday, January 15th at 1:00 pm at Benaroya Hall Recital Hall.

Remembrances may be made to the Seattle Symphony or the charity of your choice.

Read more about Mr. Poll’s achievements 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)