West Seattle, Washington
24 Saturday
Family and friends are remembering Frank Zuvela, and sharing this with his community:
Frank Thomas Zuvela, a devoted man of faith, family, and community, lit up a room with his crystal blue eyes and radiant smile. Always energetic with eternal optimism, he could be counted on for a good story or joke.
An entrepreneur at heart, he was an illustrious businessman who spent time as a fisherman and built his own gillnet fishing boat. He was a builder, developer, real estate broker, and most of all a family man. Frank was an impressive dancer. He and his beloved wife, Sharon, whom he snuck into speakeasies when she was underage, would gracefully soar across any dance floor. They loved music, traveled the world, and enjoyed many facets of life together. It’s safe to say he left no stone unturned.
While growing up in West Seattle’s Riverside Croatian community during the Depression, Frank began selling fish he caught at Pike Place Market to help his father support the family after his mother passed. He was a proud graduate of West Seattle High School and commuted daily via the streetcar. He was an avid sports fan who supported the Huskies, Mariners, and Seahawks. He was also a US Navy veteran who served in World War II.
Frank’s passions included dancing, fishing, making his own lures, woodworking, family parties, and golf. He regularly played 18 holes into his 100th year. Later in life, he enjoyed many hobbies including cooking (he made a mean Bolognese), crossword puzzles, gardening, and reading. He loved sharing a meal and his stories with family and friends around the dinner table. Frank was a history buff and began leading tours with the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, even helping to create a monument for the community. Always proud of his Croatian heritage, Frank regularly volunteered at Seattle’s annual CroatiaFest, where he enjoyed reconnecting with old friends.
Frank’s will to enjoy life was fierce and he was steadfast in his convictions. He was the definition of a great man who had a profound impact on everyone he met and loved. Pop was compassionate, witty, caring, and had a mischievous sense of humor. When asked what the key was to living to 101, he would say “I married the right woman” and in his humorous fashion would add, “just don’t die” or “keep having birthdays.” His love of Chinese food may also be a secret to longevity.
Frank Zuvela was a beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend. He is survived by his wife Sharon of seventy years, daughter Karen Santa, son Steven, grandchildren Karri, Tommy, and Nicholas Santa as well as countless other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his son, Thomas Frank.
Pop will be sorely missed by all; may he rest in peace knowing the impact he had on the world was immense & forever lasting.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
When the long search for Jim Price ended in January, his family said a memorial would be planned for a later date. Now they have set that date – June 1 – and are sharing it with this remembrance:
Born 12/3/36, James Connon Price, “Jim,” went for a walk September 18, 2023, and didn’t return. He was found deceased on January 15, 2024 in the Duwamish Greenbelt of West Seattle.
Son of Herbert and Evelyn Price, Jim grew up in West Seattle and Vashon. A grad of West Seattle High and University of Washington, he was a commercial interior architect. Jim had a very active life. He belonged to Historic Seattle, Center for Wooden Boats, Backbone Campaign, YMCA, and the Senior Center in West Seattle.
He married Sharon in Scotland, the first of many trips including a summer teaching English in China. He raced 10k’s to triathlons and also his sailboat. Jim is survived by his wife Sharon, children Connon and Anne by former wife Celeste, stepson Richard, 6 grandsons, and loving nephews and their families who led searches for Jim. More can be found at emmickfunerals.com.
There will be a Celebration of Life at the Senior Center of West Seattle on June 1 at 2 pm.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
Family and friends will gather June 1 to celebrate the life of Georgia Mae Hutchison, as well as the life of her husband Dick, who died in 2020. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing for her now:
Georgia Mae Baskett Hutchison
January 19, 1932 ~ April 22, 2024Even at the age of 92, Georgia Mae Hutchison was a woman who lived life to the fullest. She was well known for her sense of humor and endless talents. Earlier hobbies included gardening, water volleyball, and the daily task of solving the New York Times crossword puzzle.
Born and raised in Seattle, Georgia graduated from West Seattle High School in 1949, and married the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Hutchison, in 1951. She attended beauty college, and eventually opened her own salon in West Seattle. It was called the Crown House, and the staff joined the local bowling league. She was an excellent seqmstress, making costumes for restaurants and theaters, as well as matching outfits for her children and grandchildren for Easter and Christmas.
Georgia was a faithful member of the church choir, and often served as director for both the youth and adult choirs. She also performed as soprano soloist for many groups in the Seattle area. All of this while raising five children!
Georgia was often called “mom” by her children’s friends. Dick and Georgia were caring and encouraging “parents” to all who entered their home. It was a welcome place for all. Singing and musical instruments of all kinds filled the air on a regular basis. Music was an integral part of daily life in the Hutchison household.
Dick and Georgia retired early to become official snowbirds, traveling to Golden Village Palms Resort in Hemet, CA. For many years, Georgia’s special yearly performance of “Oh Danny Boy” on St. Patrick’s Day was a great delight to all.
Their travels went beyond the USA to several countries around the world. Slowly but surely, they checked off their bucket list, one by one.
As Georgia’s dementia progressed, she and Dick stayed closer to home. Dick passed away in 2020, leaving Georgia in the care of family. She would often call out to him, wondering where he had gone. “Fishing with Tyler” was an often-used response until she decided, “They must have enough fish by now!”
It is a joy to know they are finally reunited once again, walking together, hand in hand. In the words of a shared quote, “I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought, and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories.”
Georgia is survived by her daughter Valerie, grands- Jesse, Jordan (Amanda), Kelly (Garett); son Brian (Halle), grands- Lacey, Carly; daughter Diann, grands- Ryan, Micah, Sarah; daughter Karen; daughter Kathy (Brett), grands- Taylor, Tatum, Trent, Tanner; 7 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Georgia was preceded in death by her parents, George Val and Pretoria Mae Baskett, and her brothers George, Lawrence, Wayne, and David. Also departed are son-in-law John (Diann’s husband), grandson Tyler (Diann’s son), and granddaughter Rory (Valerie’s stepdaughter). Most recent was the death of her beloved husband, Richard “Dick,” on October 5, 2020. They were together since the age of 14, and married for 69 years. What a glorious reunion awaits them in heaven.
We invite you to join us in a Celebration of Life for Georgia and Richard Hutchison at
Admiral Church
4320 SW Hill St.
Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 1:00 pmPlease share your photos and memories by visiting their full obituary pages and online guest books at emmickfunerals.com/obituary/Georgia-Hutchison and emmickfunerals.com/obituary/Richard-Hutchison
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
Family and friends are remembering Bill Styrk and sharing this remembrance with the community:
Bill Styrk was born on September 23, 1934, on the family farm in Kearsarge, Michigan. The Styrk family later moved to Butte, Montana, where his father worked in the copper mines. Both Kearsarge and Butte were referred to as “Little Finn Towns” due to their high populations of Finnish people. The family finally settled in West Seattle, where Bill and his brother Wally learned to speak English. They attended Cooper Elementary and West Seattle High School. Bill recalled his childhood neighborhood as a tight-knit community where folks had little money, but an abundance of fun, and friendships that lasted a lifetime.
Post High School, Bill joined the Army and served in Germany. After completing his service he returned to West Seattle and became a longshoreman on the Seattle waterfront, often working side-by-side with his brother Wally and his father Karl.
Bill had lifelong fondness for animals. As a boy he routinely saved part of his dinner for the stray dogs in his neighborhood. As an adult Bill rescued a kitten who followed him everywhere for 17 years. He described his beloved St. Bernard dog as a beautiful and faithful companion. Bill was also captivated by Eagles, and collected wood carvings of these majestic birds.
Bill enjoyed retirement, and could often be found at Alki Beach enjoying the sun with a large group of friends. He traveled the US in his motorhome, and spent time in Mexico and Costa Rica. Bill was an avid collector of cars, his favorites being Mercedes and vintage trucks. Bill believed in treating every person he encountered with respect, and helped countless people on their journeys to sobriety.
Bill spent the last 20 years of his life in a beautiful home he built in Laughlin Nevada. He developed strong relationships with his outstanding neighbors. As a lifelong poker player, Bill spent many hours in the casinos of Laughlin and Las Vegas. For 20 years he had a daily routine of getting up at 2 AM and walking 5 miles to avoid the hot desert sun.
In his final weeks Bill experienced the value of good friends, as neighbors provided the help that made it possible for him to remain at home. He also spoke extensively on the importance of family. His brother Wally’s adult children, Pam Crim, Greg Styrk, Lynne Styrk-Crockett, Karen Williams and their families, are his closest relatives. Bill developed a strong bond with his great nieces Mariah and Hannah Crockett. Their visits to Laughlin were spent practicing the Finnish language, organizing the Styrk family genealogy,and putting a smile on Uncle Bill’s face. The VA of Nevada came to the home and had a touching ceremony for Bill, honoring his service to our country. Home Hospice provided outstanding medical care and fellowship.
In his final days Bill reiterated several times that he’d had a wonderful life. He had good friends, and had done everything he wanted to do. He shared many stories and memories. In person and with “Face Time,” Bill was able to see and speak with everyone he wished. During a visit with his nieces and nephew, Bill stopped and said: “In this VERY moment my life is absolutely perfect!”
At the age of 89, Bill died on May 2nd, 2024, just 4 months after the death of his brother Wally. Like Wally, he was surrounded by loving family. Bill was preceded in death by his parents Karl and Ellen Styrk and his brother Wally. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
No services are planned.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
Family and friends will gather June 1 to celebrate and remember QMCM R.L.”Beau” Beaucage. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing now:
Robert Laurence Beaucage was born on October 1st, 1941 in Portland, Oregon to John and Barbara (Pfund) Beaucage. He passed away on May 3rd, 2024.
He spent his early years in Portland, Spokane, and Albany. As a teen he worked in a store that was both a bicycle and hobby shop, here he was able to build a brand loyalty to Schwinn and foster a lifelong love of trains and model railroading.
Upon graduation he left to find his fortune in the United States Coast Guard. His first orders were St Petersburg, Florida to the cutter Nemesis. At a party he met the love of his life, Sandra Kay Slattery. They were married and eventually welcomed their daughter Michele.
When Beau’s enlistment was up, he returned home to Albany, Oregon with his young family. He found work at the local plywood plant. During this time his son David was born. Following a layoff at the plant, he decided to return to the Coast Guard.
His duties took him to Seattle (Icebreaker Northwind), Cape May, NJ (Tracen, Cutter Unimak), New London, CT (Cutter Vigorous) and, in 1974 back to Seattle (Puget Sound VTS, Icebreaker Polar Star, and District 13 Search and Rescue). He retired from the Coast Guard in 1981.
Beau then worked briefly as a dock superintendent for Stevedoring Services of America. It wasn’t really for him, but provided a foot in the door when an opportunity came to become a skipper for the motor yacht White Lightning. He managed all business related to the upkeep and operation of several boats. In 1997 the owners built and launched a larger White Lightning. Beau traveled to New Zealand a few times to ensure everything was just right with the construction. The owners treated Beau and Sandy like family, sometimes traveling together. He retired from White Lightning in 2003.
Retirement allowed Beau plenty of time with the things he loved. He would spend time in his shop woodworking or tinkering with old machines. He restored an old railroad motorcar and a few antique hit and miss engines. He had Scotties to walk and grandchildren to entertain. One of his passions was volunteering at the Camp 6 Logging Museum at Point Defiance. He would lend his talents to restoring some of the equipment, mentoring young train enthusiasts and driving the Shay locomotive during the summer and for the Santa train at Christmas.
After Sandy passed away in 2018, he would walk down the street to Lowman Beach Park and Lincoln Park, sometimes twice a day, developing close relationships with neighbors and those who came from all over West Seattle to walk and play. Some of them visited regularly and he always had treats handy for their canine companions.
Beau is survived by his daughter Michele (Michael) Karnes, his son David (Carda) Beaucage, and grandchildren Lauryn Karnes, Justin Beaucage, Kaitlyn Karnes, and Shelby (Brett) Sheldon.
An open house gathering will be held Saturday, June 1st to celebrate Beau and share memories from 1-4 PM at his West Seattle residence. Of course, dogs are welcome.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
Family and friends will gather Sunday (May 19) to remember Jack Blanchard. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with the community:
Jack Dwight Blanchard passed away peacefully on April 29, 2024.
Born April 21, 1934 in Everett, Washington, to Gilbert and Doris Blanchard, he graduated Everett Memorial Stadium High School in 1952, and the University of Washington in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry.
He met Carol Jeanne Lenzie in November 1952 on a blind date and they married on May 27, 1955. Carol, the love of his life, passed away on February 19, 2011. His sibling, Carol Edna Blanchard, passed away on November 28, 2022.
He is survived by his children Jim and Dodie and their families. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren created many wonderful memories with Grandpa Jack.
Jack was a kind, thoughtful man with time for anybody and everybody. He will be so missed.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Sunday, May 19, at 4:00 PM at The Kenney in West Seattle, where he resided for the past seven years, 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
Family and friends will gather Tuesday (April 30) to remember Doreen Gilbert. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with the community:
Doreen Gilbert, born in August of 1928, in Port Angeles, WA, peacefully passed away on April 1, 2024, in Seattle at the age of 95.
She married George W Gilbert Jr on August 20th, 1955 at Queen of Angels Catholic Church. She was a beloved elementary school teacher in the Seattle School District for over 30 years and later found joy working at the Admiral Bakery.
Doreen dedicated her time to various volunteer endeavors, including St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, Discovery Shop, tutoring at Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Mt St Vincent.
Kind, generous, and always smiling, Doreen was an animal lover who found happiness in spending time with her pets, friends, and tending to her garden. She was a loyal supporter of the UW Huskies, enjoyed theater performances, and cherished her travel adventures.
Doreen is survived by her daughter Nancy, son-in-law Doug, and nieces Margaret, Phoebe Ann, and Enid. She was preceded in death by her husband, identical twin sister Edith and brother-in-law Jim, her parents Elsie and Fred, her brother-in-law and sister in law, Phoebe and Dick and her nephew Scott.
Doreen’s warm presence and dedication to her community will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Seattle Humane Society in her name.
A service will be held on April 30th at 2:00 pm at St John the Baptist Episcopal Church in West Seattle.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
Family and friends of Marty Schutt will gather tomorrow to remember him and want to invite others who knew him to be there too:
A memorial gathering for Martin E. Schutt will be held on Friday, April 26, 2024 from 11:30 am to 2 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 14022 Ambaum Blvd SW in Burien.
Marty passed on April 11 at his retirement home in Pacific County.
Marty was West Seattle-born – February 25, 1944, he was the first baby in the Schutt family to not be home-birthed (which was the standard then). He was born in the West Seattle hospital that stood at the corner in The Junction where Starbucks is now.
He attended Alki Elementary School and graduated from West Seattle High School in the Class of 1963.
Marty worked as an engine specialist at Mack Truck of Seattle, formerly on Airport Way.
If you have a memory, a story, or a photo of Marty you’d like to share, the family would be glad to have you bring it to share at the gathering.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
Family and friends will gather April 27 to remember Tricia McLean, and are sharing this remembrance now:
Tricia Lynn McLean; October 6, 1962 – March 18, 2024
An Obituary and Love Letter from a Brother, for a SisterTricia died. Tricia. Died. …
Two words that are so opposed to one another that, when uttered together, it is simply incomprehensible.
“Wait… Tricia? Died? What?! No!?!”
Our hearts skipped a beat, our stomachs dropped, our mouths went dry, and those words spun relentlessly in our heads as we struggled to comprehend the incomprehensible. Yet, that is what occurred on Monday morning, March 18, 2024.
At the time of this writing, full comprehension only now setting in, acceptance still far ahead, there is a case to be made that contradicts those words and this tragedy: Tricia didn’t die. Tricia lived!
Born Tricia Lynn Owen on October 6, 1962, she was the second of five children to Robin and Beverly Owen. This was a Catholic household, so the kids came fast and early, close together. It was loud, busy, often hilarious, sometimes maddening. But mostly wonderful – in that classic middle-class 1970s ‘Brady Bunch’ sort of way. We shared bedrooms, rode bicycles, traveled in station wagons, ate at the table, said grace, camped, went fishing, watched drive-in movies, attended softball games – all of it. And all of it together.
Yet, somehow, the five of us managed to carve out our own individual identities. Some would say we were independent. Some would even say we were fiercely independent. And none of us more fierce than Tricia. She always had a certain determination about her. I think she considered herself somewhat of an underdog. She had a chip on her shoulder that fostered the audacity to rise above her perceived commonness; to be that person capable of proving anything she believed was right. A rebel. She lived.
As we all grew, grade by grade, matriculating through St. Anthony’s School in Renton, and on through Renton High School, this strong-willed rebel became a stunningly beautiful young woman, utterly devoid of conceit. She hated her hair. But she loved style. Britannia jeans, painter pants. Tricia was the taste-maker among us. She brought disco into our house. She loved soul. Dad didn’t much care for it, but that was counterculture. That was breaking the mold. She was just so damned cool. And that was the life… she lived.
And as she grew into adulthood, that chip on her shoulder began to fill with intellect, cerebral prowess, dignity, and class. She became resolute in her opinions and her choices. She was someone who seemed determined to manifest her own destiny. Tricia went on to college at Central Washington University. She valued education. She said many times, even then, that she would prioritize education in her family. College, she said, would be a requirement, not a choice. This, coming from a young lady who had grown up in a blue-collar, working-class home. Again, breaking the mold.
And she was right. I think college is where Tricia put all the pieces of that fierce independent personality, keen intellect, and sheer beauty together. She formed lifelong friendships, brought college radio home in the summer (Dad didn’t much care for it), and she traveled, spending a summer in France. She lived.
And oh the boyfriends… so many suitors; so little chance…
Until one day, having graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Business and Accounting and beginning to forge her career doing the books for a small wholesale bakery, in walks this young man with sandy blond hair, a big wide smile, and a casual, confident demeanor. He shared her ambition, love for education, and so many formative experiences in common, growing up. All packaged within a rakish, boisterous attitude that contrasted with Tricia’s ferocity. It was, indeed, a match made in heaven.
This, of course, is a love story of its own. But, suffice it to say that I think Chuck McLean was the first man in Tricia’s life that ever truly fascinated her. She would tell me years later, “I wasn’t sure about Chuck at first, but each day with him just kept getting better, then each year, and so on. And it still just keeps getting better.” That stuck with me. That’s living.
Tricia and Chuck were married in a beautiful winter ceremony in Seattle on December 21, 1990, and found a house near Lincoln Park in West Seattle. She gave birth to two girls, Chelsea and Julianne, and a boy, Charlie (Chuck). The birth of her first child seemed to have a profound effect on her. My sister, Tracee, said that at the moment Tricia held her newborn daughter in her arms, her true faith awakened.
They raised their family in the Catholic Church at Holy Rosary Parish in West Seattle; the kids attended school there. And of course, Tricia became integral in that church and school community, even becoming the chairperson for organizing WestFest, a huge carnival-like fundraising event for the parish, and President of the School Commission. She loved her church and lived her faith.
She lived.
As her children grew (all of them attending college, of course), so did Tricia’s career. She started at the Seattle Storm in 2008 when she was hired as the Vice President of Finance and Human Resources and in 2014, became their Chief Financial Officer. The Storm had become as much her family as her church had been. She made room for all of it. Tricia was the biggest Storm fan I knew.
What I didn’t know was just how accomplished she was. In 2019 she was recognized by the PSBJ as a CFO of the year honoree. I had to find out from Chuck. It wouldn’t surprise me if only very few of her friends and family knew the full scope of her accomplishments because Tricia was the last person to bring praise or attention onto herself. She never craved the spotlight, often choosing to spend birthdays away somewhere with Chuck. She would hate all this fuss about her, now. But that’s what happens when someone you love suddenly goes away. With so many friends and colleagues – too many to list here – and her family who are her everything…
And here we all are, still in shock. Tricia was always such a straight shooter; she didn’t mince words if she had an issue with you. Indeed, I can only imagine that she is currently having a few words with God about the timing of all of this. And yet, nor did she mince words if she told you how proud she was of you, or how much she loved you.
So neither will I. This sucks. There is no silver lining that I can see to such an amazing person being plucked from us at this time. Although, I don’t suppose any time would be ideal – Tricia just kept ascending. This final ascent is hard for us. But Tricia’s faith was strong. And so must ours be, for if we lose it, we jeopardize the chance to see her again.
So let us all go on, and live like Tricia would, or as best we can. Because if we don’t, it’s death.
There will be a funeral mass on Saturday, 27 April, 2024 at 11 AM at Holy Rosary Church in West Seattle, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tricia’s name. A few of her favorite organizations include Mary’s Place, Holy Rosary School – Fr. Mallahan Endowment Fund, and Turn Point LIghthouse Preservation Society. (The Lighthouse is where Chuck proposed and Tricia said “yes!”)
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
Family and friends are remembering Kath Giles and sharing this remembrance with the community:
Kath Giles died Wednesday, March 20, 2024. She ended her battle with cancer surrounded by family at her home in Mukilteo.
Kath grew up in West Seattle, attended Holy Rosary and Holy Names Academy. Kath met her husband George while working in a cannery in Seldovia, AK. They were married in 1968 and had three children while moving across the country for the military and George’s career. They lived together in Alaska, Washington, New York, Illinois, Texas, and Pennsylvania. After the untimely death of their son, Peter, they retired and returned to the Seattle area to be surrounded by family, friends, and in the area they love.
Kath was the de facto matriarch of a large and loving family. She loved jazz music, especially Ella Fitzgerald. She was often the first to lead a sing along of jazz standards. She spent hours tending to beautiful gardens in all of her homes, even becoming a master gardener. She had a soft spot for young children and would often teach them arts and crafts or be their pen pal. She worked as a preschool teacher. She was referred to as a “grand-neighbor.” She and George loved to travel and often did it with a large group of friends. Lastly, Kath loved to entertain – her home was a second home to many.
Kath is survived by her husband, George of Mukilteo, son Craig (Heidi) of Fort Collins, CO, daughter Monica Fuith (Chris) of Medford, MA, and two granddaughters, Camille and Natalie.
Kath was preceded in death by her parents Richard C. Kelly and Cecelia Kelly (Dick and Tommy) and her son Peter Giles.
There will be a celebration of life planned for the summer of 2024.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
Family and friends are remembering Jo Oss. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with the community:
Mary Jo Reichelt Oss was greeted by our Lord on March 14, 2022 and was reunited with her husband Richard, son Rick and Brother Edward. She was 90 years old.
Jo was a lifetime resident of West Seattle and Arbor Heights. She was an active member of West Side Presbyterian Church until her later years. She was a member for almost 70 years.
Jo started working when her children were little, doing home typing. She then worked for many years at a finance company. She finished her career with City of Seattle. Jo worked for the City of Seattle for over 25 years and was an Administrative Assistant to three Seattle mayors.
After she retired, she volunteered weekly at West Side Presbyterian Church and the Seattle Aquarium.
Her favorite activity was gardening and you could always find her outside tending the hundreds of roses in her yard.
She was an advocate of animal rights and supported many animal rescue centers such as Seattle Humane and Best Friends. Her home was never without a kitty or two.
Jo was also a baker. She enjoyed keeping family and friends well stocked with cookies, especially chocolate chip. Her home would fill with the tantalizing smell of Christmas cookies every December.
She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Her last 14 months were under the loving care at Florence of Seattle.
She is survived by son David and Debi Oss, daughter Michele and John Malgren, grandson Ryan and Jessica (Meadowe, Maxim), granddaughter Allison and Scott (Macieo, Jack, Eleanor, Lainey and Andrew), granddaughter Lynnette and Craig (Orin, Karis), and granddaughter Olenna and David (Ezra and Georgie).
It is hard to sum up the life of a remarkable woman in just a few words. Jo is so missed and loved forever.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
Family and friends are remembering Joanne Moon, and sharing this remembrance with the community:
Joanne Rose Chicketti Heald Moon was born in Seattle on 2/18/1936 and passed away on 3/24/2024 in Buckeye, Arizona.
Joanne was born to Liberto Chicketti and Josephine Malaspino at Sisters of Providence. She was raised in what was known as Garlic Gulch in the Rainier Valley and graduated from Franklin High School in 1954. Joanne married Charles Heald in 1955, and they had two children together, Jeff (1955-2024), and Jodi in 1957.
After the end of her first marriage, she married George C. Moon (1924-1981) in 1965 and moved to West Seattle, where she lived until relocating to Arizona to be near her children in 2019. Joanne could be seen daily in the many years she lived in West Seattle up and down California Ave or along Alki on her five mile or more walks. She enjoyed her two fingers of Scotch daily at 5:00 PM, not 4:45 or 5:15 God forbid, 5:00.
Joanne lost her son Jeff in January of this year and is survived by her daughter Jodi Van Campen (Jack), her grandchildren Amy Van Campen Taylor, Ryan Heald, Jacinta Heald, and Dylan Van Campen. Her great-grandchildren Olivia, Collin, Dominic, Damian, Elena, Emilia, and soon to come great-great-grandaughter Ava, her stepdaughter Leona Moon, her daughter in law Donna Heald, her sister Rosemary Rutherford (Denis), nieces Nickie and Leslie Rutherford, and extended family and friends.
There will be no services, at her request.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
Family and friends will gather next month to celebrate the life of Rob Gee. Here’s the remembrance being shared with his community now:
Robert (Rob) Allen Gee, Jr., 59, of West Seattle, passed away on January 15, 2024 following a sudden illness.
Rob was a lifelong West Seattleite, attending Genesee Hill Elementary, James Madison Junior High, and graduating from West Seattle High School in 1982. He served over 30 years as a dispatch driver for the Seattle Times. After his retirement in 2014, he continued to work as a ride-share driver, enjoying the flexibility in his schedule so he could be available to his family. In addition, Rob was an accomplished guitar player and shared his passion for classical guitar by giving private lessons and posting online videos.
From Rob’s earliest days, he was known and loved for his deeply kind spirit, his quiet yet strong presence, his love and commitment to family and close friends. He was a devoted and caring father to his young son Troy, taking great pleasure in spending time with him and watching him grow into the adolescent he is today. In earlier years, he enjoyed working on houses, road trips (by car or motorcycle), his Rhodesian Ridgebacks Zach and Eli, fishing, basketball, and could play a mean game of chess (even by snail mail in the pre-computer era). He attended Westside Free Methodist Church for many years.
Rob is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Beverly Gee, with whom he shared a lifelong friendship and partnership. He is survived by his son Troy, his sister Penny (Steve Oliver), close cousins Dale Robinson and Ron Moore, and other extended family.
A celebration of Rob’s life is planned for mid-April. Please visit this link to share a memory about Rob: emmickfunerals.com/obituary/RobertRob-GeeJr. Additional information on the celebration of life will be posted at the link as it becomes available.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
Family and friends will gather this afternoon to celebrate the life of Margaret Culbertson, and are sharing this remembrance:
In Loving Memory of Margaret L. Culbertson
June 19, 1927 – February 27, 2024Margaret L. Culbertson, born on June 19, 1927, peacefully passed away on February 27, 2024. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, auntie, sister, and dear friend. Margaret’s life is a testimony to love, resilience, and the bonds of family. She touched the hearts of everyone who knew her.
Born to John and Jenny Bugenhagen in Wardner, ID. They then moved to Yakima, where Margaret spent her childhood and began working in orchards and canneries. She had 2 sisters; Remona and Dorothy preceded her in death. In 1945, Margaret moved to Seattle, where she met her soon-to-be husband, Louis “Tex” Culbertson. They were married for an impressive 64 years, having exchanged vows on July 31, 1946, at Fort Lawton in Seattle.
Margaret and Louis were blessed with three sons: Dale, Jim, and Sam. Her family continued to grow with the arrival of two grandchildren: Cherie’ and Sean. Seven great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren brought joy and laughter to her home.
Margaret enjoyed bowling and was an active participant in leagues at Roxbury Lanes and West Seattle Bowl with friends and family. She also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing, playing many card games, Mexican train, and board games with family and friends.
Margaret had a green thumb and found solace in her garden, where she especially loved her roses, dahlias, and violets. Her flowers’ blooming was a testament to her nurturing spirit. She also had an amazing vegetable garden where she worked with Louis, and then she would do a lot of canning to provide delicious food for the year. The best canned peaches, pears, green beans, tomatoes, corn, and salsa would come from Margaret. But what she is most famous for is the best strawberry jam in the world! She couldn’t make enough to keep up with the demand.
She was always known for her warm hospitality and open arms. Thanksgiving dinners at her house were a cherished tradition. The warmth of the family gathered around the table, sharing stories and laughter, made those moments truly special.
Margaret’s life was woven with love, laughter, and the bonds that span generations. While we celebrate her life, let’s remember the impact she made and the memories she leaves behind.
Margaret’s Celebration of Life will be held from 2 to 4:30 pm, March 10, 2024, White Center Eagles, 10452 15th Ave SW. Please feel free to come by and share a story or two and enjoy hearing other stories.
There will be a private family-only graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in Margaret’s name to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital – Support Health and Healing – MultiCare Foundations in Tacoma. This charity was near and dear to her heart, and she still made donations to them.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
(WSB/WCN photo of Justin and family last year as Full Tilt marked 15 years)
Two weeks ago, we reported on community crowdfunding to help the family of Justin Cline, White Center community advocate and founder of Full Tilt Ice Cream, after he suffered a heart attack. Today, we just heard from a Full Tilt staffer announcing on behalf of the family that Justin has died, at age 49. Here’s the announcement published on the original GoFundMe page:
It is with absolutely broken hearts that we share that our beloved friend Justin has moved on to the great ice cream shop in the sky.
Justin died around 6:00 am on Saturday, March 2nd, 2024 at Valley Medical Center. At every step along the way, Valley staff did an incredible job monitoring and managing his ever-changing condition, and taking every possible step to give him excellent care.
Ann, Moss and Ruby, their family and friends, and the entire staff and community of Full Tilt are grieving this loss. Justin will be missed by so many, because he touched so very many people in his life. The number of stories of connections and care that we have heard this past month has been incredible. We have loved hearing all the large and small ways that Justin’s open, giving nature has positively impacted the community as a whole and hundreds of individual lives.
Right now Ann and the kids are understandably distraught and overwhelmed with this tragedy. We understand that everyone wants to connect with Ann, share their memories and stories of Justin, and offer love and comfort. However, the community Justin built around himself is so large and deeply connected that we imagine the outpouring of love could become overwhelming for Ann.
We have created a list of ways that the community can support Ann, Moss and Ruby in this time.
* Continue giving to the GoFundMe to support Justin’s family during this time. Ann’s financial needs will only increase as she navigates this shift to single-parenting and keeping Full Tilt afloat.
* Send your memories, stories, artworks, and photos of or inspired by Justin to justininmemoriam at gmail.com. We will be compiling the stories, photos, memories, artworks into a book for Ann and the kids. If possible, title your email “contribution” to help us manage the inbox.
* Email justininmemoriam at gmail.com to offer any practical support you would like – either with your ideas for support you’d like to offer or an open offer for whatever Ann may need. Ann’s friends will be monitoring this inbox and will connect with Ann to see what kinds of supports are needed as time goes on. If possible, please title your email “support” to help us manage the inbox.
* Continue to visit Full Tilt when you can. Every scoop you enjoy, every round of pinball, and every beer you share with a friend helps keep Justin’s family and employees going.
* Hug your people and tell them you love them.
* Consider ways you can support your community. Justin’s store, his heart, and his time were open for those who needed him. Our communities are better when we are community builders.
* Get CPR certified. Ann was able to save Justin’s life the night of his heart attack because she knew how to perform CPR. A couple of hours of your time could save a life. cpr.heart.org/en or redcross.orgWe will share more information as services are planned and needs are realized.
Thank you all for your love and support, for all you’ve done this past month and all you will continue to do to help hold Justin’s family, friends, Full Tilt family and community close. We all wish Justin were here to hug each and every one of you.
Toward the request for people to “continue visiting Full Tilt” – which opened in downtown White Center in 2008 – they’re open today.
Family and friends are remembering Lorraine Presley, and sharing this remembrance with her community:
Lorraine Rachelle Chevalier Presley, October 21, 1941-January 30, 2024
Born in Victoria, BC to Marie and Edgar Chevalier. Raised in Mornville, Alberta, Canada. As a teen, the family moved to St. Petersburg, FL, where Lorraine graduated from high school. She wanted to go to college and become a doctor; however, her father would not allow it, because “she was a girl, and girls do not become doctors.” In 1962, while attending nursing school at a junior college, she noticed an advertisement for a stewardess job with United Air Lines and applied. She was the only woman of twenty-five applicants chosen for the job. She flew out of Chicago before transferring to Seattle in 1963. She settled in West Seattle and traveled the world – meeting politicians, celebrities, influential businesspeople and even an occasional mafioso! She shared many stories of her adventures in a world that was certainly a different era.
Lorraine met William (David) Presley, and they married in 1968. She had to leave her job due to regulations at the time requiring stewardesses resign once married. They made their home in West Seattle to raise their children Kari and Michael. In 1977 she chose to return to college, earning her RN degree then working at Swedish Hospital. In early 1980, she joined a class-action lawsuit against the airline for its regulation forcing stewardesses to resign upon marriage. The women won the case, and she gained her job back as a flight attendant with United. This gave her the freedom not only for herself to travel again, but her family were also able to travel. On occasion (for a change of scenery) she flew and lived out of Narita, Japan and London, England. She also flew out of San Francisco. Lorraine retired in September 2001.
In 1997 she and David moved to Grants Pass, OR. In 2008 she returned to West Seattle to be near her daughter and son. At age 65 she took an intensive three-month course to renew her Washington State RN license, working at Northwest Kidney Center. Lorraine returned to Grants Pass in 2019 to care for her husband. In January 2023 she was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma. After a year bravely fighting cancer, Lorraine passed peacefully, quickly and without pain, her family by her side.
Among her talents, Lorraine possessed the highest standard of entertaining, cooking, presentation, and caregiving. She was an excellent seamstress. Making everyday clothing, one-of-a-kind Halloween costumes, and designer-worthy formal wear. Her cakes were beautifully decorated and tasted amazing. In retirement, she volunteered at soup kitchens and medical expeditions in Louisiana, Chicago, Grants Pass, and Seattle.
Lorraine was a strong, smart, creative, caring woman who gave so much of herself to all
who met her and will be greatly missed, never forgotten. She is survived by her husband David, children Kari and Michael, her sister Colleen and husband (Russ), their daughters (Dory, Michelle), sister-in-law Sue Soderstrom, her nieces (Joy, Janet, Debbie, Michelle, Susan, Diane) and nephews (Kevin, Tom). Per her request, there will be no memorial service. Her ashes are to be scattered over Puget Sound and Paris, France.The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please consider a monetary donation in her spirit to any of her favorite organizations: Remote Area Medical (ramusa.com), Planned Parenthood, and Habitat for Humanity.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
Family and friends are remembering Kim Buty, and sharing this remembrance with his community:
Kim David Buty passed away at age 68 on February 9, 2024, at his beach home in West Seattle. He was born November 9, 1955, in Seattle, the fourth child of Frank and Bettie Buty. He attended Our Lady of Fatima Parish School and O’Dea High School, later studying at Western Washington University and then graduating from the University of Washington. He was married August 7, 1982, at Holy Rosary Church in Seattle.
Kim started working for his father’s Independent Delivery business at an early age and later owned and managed Master Movers, another family enterprise that was one of the oldest continuously operating businesses in Seattle. Initially his main customer was Washington Natural Gas. His customer base evolved as he specialized in moving seniors into retirement homes. His efficient work and kindness toward seniors gained him many friends in Seattle retirement residences.
Kim was a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, great-uncle, and cousin to a large extended family. His fun-loving nature brought him a wide circle of friends as well. For him, hosting a large gathering on the Fourth of July was always the highlight of the year. He was a 38-year member of the Northwest Alfa Romeo Owners Club, serving three years as treasurer and two years as activities chair.
Kim enjoyed sailing and boating, beach time, his Samoyed dogs, tropical fish, travel, restoration of antique clocks, and gardening. He took pride in his garage he organized to house and display vintage cars and all things Alfa Romeo.
Besides his parents, Kim was predeceased by his sister, Sherry, and nephews Ryan and Nicholas. He is survived by his wife Paula, son Rocco, brothers Frank (Carlene), and Steven (Erin), nieces Nina, Christie Heartquist (Scott), and Shelley McCanna (Pat); nephew Mario (Janelle), as well as great-nieces and great-nephews. And Kayli, the family’s Samoyed.
Memorials may be made to Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation or the American Parkinson Disease Association.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Family burial service will be at Calvary Cemetery.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
Family and friends are remembering Darrellee Pavey, and sharing this remembrance with her community:
Darrellee Pavey of West Seattle passed away on December 26 at Swedish First Hill after a nine-year battle with lung cancer.
She was born on January 6, 1951, to Fred and Helen Ihrig, in Seattle. She was raised by her mother, spending time in Oklahoma as her stepfather was stationed in Ft. Sill, then later lived in South Park, now a portion of Tukwila. Later she moved with her mother to West Seattle, where she attended Madison Middle School and West Seattle High School. It was in this timeframe she met her future husband, Pat Pavey.
Darrellee was married on October 29, 1971 and started homemaking with her husband and first son, Sean David, in the South Admiral area until a new home was built in the Fauntleroy Springs area. Having moved only 200 feet from Fairmount Park Elementary School, she took up her passion to work with children and was employed by the school to watch over children during their breakfast and lunch breaks. She also took up being a mother to her second son, Travis Christian.
It was the spring of 2015 that she was rushed to Swedish First Hill hospital only to find out she had small cell lung cancer and started the long path to tratment, including three rounds of chemotherapy as well as radiation treatments. Even with this devastating diagnosis, Darrellee continued on with her loves. One of those loves was the raising of her Golden Retrievers, raising four of them. A second love was her home and garden, where she spent most of her free time.
With her husband’s retirement from the Seattle Fire Department, and her sons long moved from the family home, Darrellee made an effort to maintain a carefree life even with her ongoing treatments for her cancer, but in the end the cancer won out. The year 2023 became her toughest challenge, and with visits to the hospital lasting longer it became obvious she was losing the battle. Nevertheless she maintained her poise and did not let the inevitable sway her. She had promised her brother that she would make one more Christmas and that she did. She also made her fifty-second marriage anniversary, celebrating while in Swedish. Her passing was not a surprise but it still left her family in heartbreak. She is survived by her brother Nick Barrie, sons Sean David and Travis Christian, and her husband, Patrick.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
Family and friends are remembering Jeff Heald. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing with the community:
Longtime West Seattle resident Jeff Heald died at his home in Buckeye, Arizona, on 1/3/2024 after a hard-fought battle against a very rare Salivary Gland cancer which metastasized into Lung Cancer.
Jeffrey Stephen Heald was born in Seattle on 9/18/1955 to Charles Heald and Joanne Chicketti Heald, and passed away surrounded by family on 1/3/2024.
Jeff attended Lafayette Elementary School, James Madison Jr. High, West Seattle High School Class of 1974, and finally Western Washington University, Class of 1978. Jeff married Donna Taylor in 1977, and settled in West Seattle, before moving to Mukilteo in 1995. Jeff and Donna had three children, Ryan in 1978, Danielle in 1981, and Jacinta in 1983; sadly Danielle did not survive more than a few hours. Jeff was co-owner of a commercial drywall construction company, Firstline Systems Inc., starting in 1987, where he was also CFO before retiring in 2015. Jeff and Donna had several vacation homes in Arizona over the last 24 years before finally settling full time in the residential community of Verrado in Buckeye.
Jeff loved all sports and played Soccer until he was 60, but his passion was Golf, which he played at least three times a week until he wasn’t physically able last summer. Jeff was also a huge New England Patriots fan for many years and traveled around the country with his family to watch them play.
Jeff loved life, his wife, his children, grandchildren, extended family, and his many friends. Jeff is survived by his wife Donna, son Ryan, daughter Jacinta, grandchildren Olivia and Collin, and great-granddaughter Ava arriving in July, his mother Joanne, sister Jodi Van Campen, numerous nieces and nephews, and extended family and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at The Verrado Golf Course Grille on 2/24/2024. And another will be held in Seattle this Summer, date and time TBD.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
Family and friends will gather this Saturday to remember Bill Whetham. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing with the community now:
It is with great sadness that we announce William John Whetham (Bill), 84, passed away on February 8, 2024, after complications from a heart attack.
Bill was born to George and Inez Whetham in Niagara Falls, New York, on May 15, 1939. After graduating from Niagara Falls High School, he earned advanced degrees in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Michigan and the University of Washington. A brilliant but humble man, he worked for Boeing for 40 years, obtaining 11 patents.
He is survived by Margaret, his beloved wife of 50 years; his five admiring children, Jennifer, Matthew, Catherine, Lizzy (Michael), and Caroline; and his first grandchild and namesake (due in May). Bill was always there for his family: we deeply miss his stable, stoic presence.
There will be a funeral mass on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at 10 AM at Holy Rosary Church in West Seattle, followed by a reception. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Bill’s name to Father Charles’ prenatal and maternity clinic in Uganda, where a generator is needed to prevent medications being spoiled during frequent power outages: https://bit.ly/DonateInBillsName He was also a faithful supporter of the Union Gospel Mission and the Salvation Army.
If you can’t join us, it will be live streamed! Here is the information for the livestream:
Scroll down to “Livestreaming Services”
Vimeo Link (Direct)
FB Link (Direct)
Please share memories, condolences & photos of Bill on the tribute wall at emmickfunerals.com/obituary/William-Whetham
Arrangements entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
Family and friends will gather February 17 to celebrate the life of Tom Slattery, and are sharing this remembrance with his community now:
Tom Slattery, 74, died the morning of January 22, 2024, surrounded by family, following a courageous battle against lung disease.
For his children, grandchildren and community, Tom leaves a legacy of advocacy for children, education, racial justice, and nature preservation.
Tom was born December 4, 1949, to Joseph and Helen Slattery in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He grew up an active and curious kid in Columbus, Ohio developing an early love for books and cars. Tom attended and graduated from The Ohio State University in 1971 with a degree in education.
Following college, Tom moved to San Francisco, California. In San Francisco, Tom would meet his wife and best friend, Pat Reh, and they would welcome two of their three sons, Rob and Reed. Dale would arrive after the family settled in Washington state.
Tom enjoyed sharing music with others nearly as much as he enjoyed listening to it himself. Nothing would make him happier than turning someone on to a new favorite song or artist. He also had a gift with words and could easily evoke laughter through his quick wit and clever turn of phrase.
Throughout his adult life, Tom was never far from a camera. The result is literal volumes of photos of his family, friends, places he traveled, cars he admired, plants and birds. Oh so many photos of birds. He loved the minute details that differentiated them and the wide range of colors displayed on their feathers. He also felt this way about his four grandchildren that continuously delighted him and kept him young.
Tom spent the second half of his life in White Center with a backyard that yielded the many vegetables he would grow, sanctuary for the many birds he would photograph, and a place for his children and grandchildren to gather and play. It was in White Center that his commitment to community, specifically to the safety and wellbeing of children, would take root and grow. He served 16 years on the Highline School Board and worked for several non-profits toward these ends.
In retirement, he turned those countless photographs into books that he would gift to family and
friends. He would spend hours building intricate and different birdhouses he would display throughout the house. Together with his wife Pat, there were numerous trips to places such as Costa Rica, Belize, Palm Springs, San Miguel de Allende, and a final trip taken in the fall of 2023 on a riverboat cruise north on the Mississippi River, surely evoking the tales of his beloved author, Mark Twain.Tom is survived by his wife Pat; his sons Rob (Marissa), Reed (Roxanne), and Dale (Jean); his grandsons Isaiah, Marcos, and Lucas; his granddaughter Izzy; and his brothers Bill, Ed, and Joe. He was preceded in death by his parents and many dear friends.
A memorial gathering is scheduled for Saturday, February 17, at 3:00 p.m. at Mount View Elementary School. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his honor to Kubota Garden Foundation.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
That reader photo shows more heart lights in Gatewood – which we learned, after featuring two others, are not just for Valentine’s Day; some homes are displaying hearts in honor of a beloved neighbor who recently passed away. (Added – here’s neighbors’ video of more of them.)
The family of that neighbor, Valerie O’Mara, had in fact sent us this remembrance, as they prepare for her Celebration of Life on February 24:
Valerie Barrs-O’Mara, PA, of West Seattle died on January 26, 2024, at the age of 66. She passed away peacefully with her family by her side, after a nearly six-year battle with ALS.
She was born on December 17th, 1957, to George and Margaret Barrs, in Rockford, Illinois. She was raised by her mother, along with her two siblings, Kathy and Casey. Valerie and family moved to New Jersey when she was 16, where she graduated from Livingston High School. She attended Drew University, where she met her husband-to-be Michael, in her sophomore year. They met in Chemistry and wound up at the local pub after class. She graduated with a BA in Zoology in 1979. She often spoke of her college days and the lifelong memories that were made. She went on to attend Cornell Medical School’s Surgeon Assistant Program, in New York City.
Valerie and Michael moved to Seattle from the East Coast in 1981, after Valerie accepted her first Physician Assistant position with Providence. She was a PA in Cardiothoracic Surgery for nearly 40 years, with the bulk of her career at Overlake Medical Center. Before retiring in 2019 due to ALS, she served as the Valve Clinic Coordinator with Overlake-Kaiser Permanente, a role she cherished and loved. Her career was a true joy in her life. She cared deeply for her colleagues and the many patients she served. Upon her retirement, Overlake named an operating control room in her honor, in recognition of her 31 years of compassionate care and dedicated service to the Overlake Cardiac Program. She did get a kick out of having her own “control room.”
Valerie was a natural leader. She organized countless events for her children’s schools (Tilden and Our Lady of Guadalupe) including Halloween carnivals, field days, auctions, and fundraising. As a good friend pointed out, she accomplished more in one day than the rest of us get done in a month.
On March 9th, 2018, Valerie was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Even faced with this horrible diagnosis, she maintained her positive attitude and love of life. As Valerie has always done, she got to work quickly. She and her many supporters on “Team Badass” raised thousands of dollars to Walk to Defeat ALS. She served as a board member at the Evergreen Chapter of the ALS Association. She was on the organizing committee with MLB for Lou Gehrig Day. In 2020, Valerie threw out the first pitch at the Seattle Mariners’ First Annual Lou Gehrig Day, with family and friends cheering her on. As a longtime Seattle sports fan and a Mariners season-ticket holder for 30 years, this was a proud moment for her.
Valerie had many relationships she cherished deeply. Her husband of 41 years, Michael, was her caregiver throughout her long battle with ALS. He lovingly took care of her and often said being her caregiver was “the most important job of my life.” They found humor in the day-to-day things and laughed often. She loved her three children, John, Caitlin, and Keegan deeply, and her life centered around being their mom. She had a wonderful, close relationship with her sister Kathy and her brother Casey, who supported her and visited regularly throughout her fight with ALS. She loved her grandchildren Tilly (5) and Hugh (2) more than anything in this world. It was not uncommon to see Val, with Tilly riding on her wheelchair, going through her neighborhood or down to Lincoln Park. She also had many friendships, new and old, and she maintained those relationships seamlessly. She was fiercely loyal to friends and cherished them. As a close friend said, “She had a way of making each one of us feel like her favorite.”
It is hard to sum up who she was because she was such a force. She meant so much to so many. She was thoughtful, smart, generous, optimistic, and non-judgmental. She was quick to smile and had a great laugh. She always followed through with what she said she was going to do. She would often let the “f-bomb” slip when telling a (longwinded) story. She was simply the best and will be missed immensely by her friends and family who loved her. She fought courageously and beat the odds, living six years with ALS. She battled this terrible disease with grace and strength until the very end. Her granddaughter Tilly says it best, “Grammy can walk again”.
She is survived by her husband Michael, her children John (Kelly), Caitlin (Dale), and Keegan; her grandchildren Tilly and Hugh; her sister Kathy (Tony); her brother Casey (Liz); her half-siblings Lance (Kathy) and Kerry; and her sister-in-law Kathleen (Gary), as well as her cousins, aunt, and many nieces and nephews.
There will be a Celebration of Life on February 24th at The Hall at Fauntleroy in West Seattle at 1 pm. We also plan to celebrate her in Pennsylvania in the Spring.
Memorial donations may be made in Valerie’s honor at either:
ALS CURE Project: alscure.org/donate
The ALS Association: 19717 62nd Ave S, Suite D101, Kent, WA, 98032
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
Family and friends will gather February 10 to remember Freda Ricord, and are sharing this remembrance with her community:
Flora Alfreda ‘Freda’ Ricord
January 11, 1929 – January 22, 2024Freda was born in Colorado and moved to West Seattle with her husband George in 1952. They bought a house on Genesee Hill, where they raised three children and lived for the rest of their lives.
Freda was very active in her church, West Side Presbyterian, where she was a member for 70 years. She was a MOPS mentor for over 30 years. She was active in youth ministry teaching Bible school, Bible studies, and attending youth retreats for over 60 years. She participated and led the Women’s Association, taught adult classes and served on 2 pastor-nominating committees. She loved to sing and was in the church choir. She was also active in the local PTAs and tutored high school math students.
Freda was an avid reader and she loved to knit, for herself and others. Most of the WSP babies wore her ‘fruit and vegetable caps’. She loved sports – there was always a game of some sort on the TV and she followed all the Seattle teams. Freda loved an almond croissant from Bakery Nouveau and a cone from Husky.
Freda and George had three children – Albert (deceased), Rhonda and Tim (known as TR), four grandchildren – Jordan Nichols, Kieran Nichols (deceased), Sam and Eli, and three great-grandchildren – Jaxon, Henry, and Inna. Tim’s wife Patty Sanders, Sam’s wife Emily, and Jordan’s partner Monika completed Freda’s family. She also considered the Aronson clan family. She touched and influenced many lives and will be missed by family and dear friends.
A memorial will be held for Freda on Saturday, February 10th at 1 pm at West Side Presbyterian Church – 3601 California Ave in West Seattle. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Continuum Hospice Care or Habitat for Humanity in Freda’s name.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
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