West Seattle, Washington
12 Tuesday
It’s usually the U.S. Postal Service workers who do the delivering – but today, the tables were turned as Liz Latham delivered pizza and a musical mini-flash mob singing words of gratitude to workers at the West Seattle Junction Post Office:
She shared word of her plan this morning; at noontime, we went to the Post Office to see what happened. And there was Liz – pizzas, singers, and all!
She wanted to credit fellow West Seattleite and former Mayor Greg Nickels for inspiration, after he posted a public “thank you” to postal workers via Facebook, for their work “delivering those last, last-minute gifts right through Christmas Eve.” (He told Liz he’d pitch in to help cover the pizza cost, too.) And there’s no question they’ve been busy; USPS spokesperson is quoted in this national story as saying that volume was up 19 percent this holiday season over last year.
(Photo by Greg Slader)
Just sent to us to share with you – another big honor for a local sports standout, whose proud relative writes:
Earlier this month, Sam Hellinger of West Seattle became the first player from West Seattle High School to ever be awarded the Washington State Baseball Coaches Association’s State Player of the Year.
Hellinger, who helped West Seattle get to the 3A State championship game for the first time in its history and who was drafted in the 39th round by the Seattle Mariners in the 2013 June Amateur Draft, was earlier named 3A Player of the Year, Metro League MVP, and was the first West Seattle player ever named to the Seattle Times All-Area Team.
Sam currently attends and plays for the College of San Mateo in the Bay Area (California).
Congratulations to Sam!
A funeral Mass is planned one week from today – next Monday, December 30th – at Holy Rosary for Richard Joseph Kord, whose family shares this remembrance:
Richard “Dick” Kord passed away Saturday, December 14, 2013, at the age of 87. Born in Tacoma, he was 6 when his family settled in West Seattle permanently. Dick attended Holy Rosary and O’Dea High School, met his wife “Dottie” of 64 years, and enrolled in summer school to graduate early so he could sign up for service in the US Military Transport in the Pacific during the war, alongside his lifelong friend “Mick.” He then graduated from Seattle University while working at Sears part-time. This led to his 42-year beloved and dedicated career with Sears, where he established cherished friendships as well. Retirement allowed him more time to spend with his wife, family, friends, working on his home and pursuing his love for boating.
The historian for West Seattle’s Troop 282, Reece Schulz, has shared another Eagle Scout announcement – this time about Dylan Moorleghen:
On June 5, 2007, Dylan Moorleghen joined the life of Scouting, and started on the road to earning his Eagle Scout rank, the highest rank in Scouting. On October 24, 2013, Dylan finally reached his goal of earning Eagle, and has given to the community in many ways.
Throughout Scouting, Dylan has hosted five service projects and has contributed more than 85 service hours.
Dylan has hiked 108 miles, which is a phenomenal feat in Scouting that not many have accomplished. On June 21, 2013, Dylan hosted his Eagle Scout service project. The project they performed was building a bridge over a drainage ditch at Camp Long that floods in the summer. He also served as a camp staff member for Camp Parsons.
Today, Dylan is a senior at Seattle Prep and is on the President’s List, the captain of Prep’s lacrosse team, president of the National Honor Society, and has earned the National Service Award. Over the years, Dylan has contributed a lot to his community, and looks forward to helping out even more with our city.
The West Seattle man who overpowered an armed robber on board a RapidRide bus last month went on national TV today to tell his story. 32-year-old Casey Borgen told interviewers on NBC’s Today that – as it seemed to many viewing the surveillance video seen around the world – it was “pure instinct.” But no, he’s not trained in martial arts, as some speculated. See the interview above; here’s the story on Today’s website. If you haven’t seen the bus-camera video yet, our story from early Thursday included the KING 5 version; we have since obtained the raw video and have uploaded two clips, including one that shows something not shown in the other coverage we’ve seen, but some had asked about – the robber just before he gets up to start demanding passengers’ smartphones. Both of the following links go to the clips we have uploaded to YouTube:
*Robber shown seated, then standing to hold up first victim (some audio)
*Silent version of now-famous sequence (silent)
The man charged in those robberies and another one on a different bus on Beacon Hill earlier in the month, 19-year-old Trevonnte Brown, remains jailed in lieu of $350,000 bail and is due back in court later this month.
8:17 AM UPDATE: Patricia just sent word that Bob G. has been found safe in Des Moines, and thanks everyone for being on the lookout. Original report from last night, below:
WestSide Baby is thanking everyone who’s donated this holiday season, now that pre-Christmas dropoff time is over. And it’s thanking volunteers, too! Here’s an update from WS Baby executive director Nancy Woodland:
Christmas came early to WestSide Baby when the Westside School third grade class delivered handmade blankets Monday! (photo above) These are some of the last item donations of the year as we wind up our 2013 collections tomorrow.
To celebrate a year with record distributions, we honored our regular volunteers today at the newly opened Bridge Tavern.
Just this year, this group of amazing people as well as groups and one time drop ins have given more than 9500 hours of time, with 570 hours from just one amazing woman named Lissa! They keep us rolling and we are so appreciative. Join this team in 2014!
Our last distribution to families in need will go out on Thursday through our 80 social-service-agency partners marking a record number of children served this year as 400 orders head out the door this week.
We want to make sure people know our donation center and drop sites will be closed to item dropoffs starting tomorrow. We are amazed at the community generosity and we will definitely continue to need your gently used and new items as we start filling orders again on January 2. From now until that date, we ask donors to hold onto their amazing used items as we start the counting of every sock, diaper and pacifier in our operations center. Exceptions for those who held a drive and prearranged a delivery with us, like the third-grade class from Our Lady of Guadalupe that is coming on Thursday! (After they have already delivered 4 car loads of amazing donations.)
We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate our community’s patience as well as your dedication to helping us serve local children. We will very gladly accept items you have after January 2, as we know the need for essentials will continue long past the holiday season.
In the meantime, cash gifts for your 2013 tax deductions are very much appreciated through our website or by mail to 10032 15th Ave SW, Seattle Wa 98146, and we have tables and tickets available for our 13th Annual Benefit Tea on February 9th! Click the graphic:
If you have items that can’t wait, check out the other giving opportunities in the WSB Holiday Guide.
While this is the type of note that most often lands in the WSB Forums as a “Rave,” it turned up in the WSB e-mailbox instead, and we’re up for some heartening news – so, here’s what Molly reported:
We just wanted to pass along a little holiday cheer that we just encountered in West Seattle (Sunday). We accidentally left a package near Talarico’s, where a good Samaritan found it and drove it to our house in the event that we’d accidentally left behind a holiday present. While the package was empty (the contents were at N.W. Art and Frame), it had contained a print of a painting we’d seen on our honeymoon this summer. My husband, who is a little cynical about the holiday season, was struck by this woman’s kindness and thoughtfulness in driving the package all the way to our house, had it contained a gift. Thanks, West Seattle, for your continued sense of community that truly embodies the spirit of the holidays!
In Friday morning traffic coverage, we mentioned a bicycle incident at Admiral Way/City View on the hill north of the bridge. It cleared relatively quickly, and turned out to have been a fall rather than a collision, so we didn’t follow up. But then we received this note from Elisabeth, saying the rider is her mom and she’s looking for the person who helped her:
(Friday) morning around 6:50/7:00 am, a good Samaritan helped my mom after she crashed her bike on Admiral. My mom was on the west side of street headed towards WS bridge. The good Samaritan pulled over and I believe she called the medics. I was actually driving to work right around the same time and got there shortly after the medics had my mom on the stretcher.
First, we would really like to thank the good Samaritan because my mom hit her head pretty hard and based on her injuries hit the pavement (or her bike) hard, so we think the fast response was critical, and second, we are wondering if the good Samaritan saw the accident. We are trying to piece together what happened as my mom does not remember any of it. She took quite a spill and has some internal injuries and some fractured bones, but we think she is going to be ok.
Was it you, or someone you know? You can comment, or e-mail us.
(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
That’s the floragraph of Joshua Waleryszak, whose mom Judy Waleryszak finished it tonight at Forest Lawn in West Seattle, 20 years after losing her 12-year-old son to complications of developmental disabilities. It’s his portrait in plant material, ready for the 2014 edition of the Rose Parade float honoring organ donors – as explained in our preview, Joshua’s death meant life-saving donations for three people.
(Photo courtesy Alyson Hallberg)
Joshua’s story is told here, on the website about this year’s Donate Life float, which will include the floragraph just completed by his mom.
With Seattle Fire Chief Gregory Dean in our photo are Suzanne Krahmer and Donald Krahmer, Jr., relatives of an Alki couple whose posthumous $550,000 gift made possible the Medic One unit behind them and will provide a second one soon. We first reported a year and a half ago about the money bequeathed by Mildred Krahmer Sanders (1921-2011) and William C. Sanders (1922-2002), longtime Boeing workers who spent their retirement years in West Seattle. Today, the Krahmers came to SFD headquarters in Pioneer Square for a special celebration – you’ll hear from them and from Chief Dean in our video (and you’ll also see the SFD crowd that was on hand to show their appreciation):
They took a look inside the unit that now carries a plaque with Mr. and Mrs. Sanders’ names, a replica of which was given to them today:
That’s SFD Lt. Sue Stangl inside with them. SFD says its medics responded to almost 22,000 calls last year alone. (You can see how busy they are – check out the live 911 log; any unit number with an M is a medic unit; the one based in West Seattle is M32.)
In addition to giving to SFD, the Sanders left $600,000 that will fund a lab for advanced eye research.
Tomorrow at Forest Lawn (WSB sponsor) in West Seattle, you are invited to a special event in honor of organ donors, including a boy who died 20 years ago. 
Joshua Thomas Waleryszak was just 12 when he lost his life to complications related to developmental disabilities. His parents donated his kidneys and liver. Joshua’s father Tom died this past October and was also an organ donor.
At the event tomorrow, Joshua’s mom Judy Waleryszak of West Seattle will finish a floragraph in his honor that will be part of the Donate Life float “Light Up the World“ in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day 2014, and you’re invited to come show your support. Never heard of a floragraph? It’s explained as “a portrait representation of an individual, made of seeds and other organic material.” Joshua is one of 81 donors to be honored by the float, which will feature riders and marchers including 30 organ/tissue transplant recipients and 12 living organ donors.
The event tomorrow (Thursday, December 12th) will be at Forest Lawn’s funeral home at 30th/Sylvan, 5-7 pm. It will be followed by another event with an open public invitation, Forest Lawn’s annual holiday remembrance ceremony, a chance to honor those who died in the past year, featuring grief expert Dr. Darcie Sims.
A memorial service is planned tomorrow (Wednesday, December 11th), for Fern Baer Freeman, who lived for many years at the Island View Apartments in West Seattle and served as their manager for much of that time, according to her daughter Lois, who shares this remembrance:
Fern Baer Freeman was born December 23, 1923 in the Aberdeen, Idaho, area to Edward and Katherina (Friesen) Baer, who were part of that German Mennonite farming community.
Fern went first to the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (BIOLA later) and in 1946 completed her RN at Bethel Deaconess Hospital in Newton, Kansas. After various nursing work assignments (one in Berkeley, California) and more studies, Fern moved to the East Coast to attend the King’s College. She met and married New Yorker (Queens) Robert Franklin Freeman in Wilmington, Delaware on March 4, 1951. Fern com- pleted a BSN degree.
They had six children over the following eight years and had relocated to the Pacific Northwest by the time their second child (John) was born. They lived in Pocatello, Boise, and Mountain Home before leaving Idaho to move to Seattle in 1969. The Seattle area was Fern’s home from 1969-1974 and from 1985 to the present. The family lived in Ephrata, Washington, 1975-1985 when the two younger girls (Ruth and Linda) were in high school. Fern worked for a dentist there and learned to craft teeth.
Fern, Bob, and Ruth moved back to Seattle in the mid-1980s. Fern consecutively became the manager of two apartment buildings. She remained back-up manager at Island View in West Seattle from age 75-85. Fern and Bob were both members of West Side Presbyterian Church in West Seattle.
She is pre-deceased by a daughter, Ruth Laurel Freeman, in 2007, and her husband Robert in 2008. She has five living children [Daniel Freeman of Avon Lake, Ohio (near Cleveland), Lois Easley of Glen Ellyn, Illinois (near Chicago), John Freeman of Bellevue, Washington, Glenn Freeman of Kent, Washington and Linda Freeman of Edmonds, Washington], three children-in-law (Brenda in OH, Dan in IL and Susan in Kent), and nine grandchildren, (Julie, Amy, Sarah, Benjamin, Christopher, Katherine, Alison, Anna, and Joseph).
Mrs. Freeman will be buried this afternoon at Evergreen-Washelli Cemetery near Northgate; her memorial service will be at 1 pm Wednesday at West Side Presbyterian (3601 California SW). More details at bartonfuneral.com.
(Friday night photo by Amy Allen)
That photo is from Friday night’s Pearl Jam concert at KeyArena downtown, and it has a bit of a backstory! First, while checking Twitter that night, we noticed some pointing out that lead singer Eddie Vedder was showing off some West Seattle (his longtime neighborhood) pride – Stephanie called it directly to our attention:
Love that Eddie is wearing his "West * Seattle" tshirt' Sweeeet show so far! #pearljam #PJSeattle #LightningBoltTour .@westseattleblog
— Stephanie Suter (@stephsuter) December 7, 2013
We looked around for a photo but couldn’t find one until Alia told us via Facebook about one she had seen via Instagram. We contacted the photographer, a Pearl Jam superfan from Des Moines, Iowa, named Amy Allen, for permission to publish her photo here, and she said yes. By day, in fact, Amy is a professional photographer, though she was at the show as a fan equipped only with an iPhone – the 71st time she has seen Pearl Jam in concert, she told us. She’s on Instagram at @amyallenphoto.
P.S. Thought we recalled seeing the same shirt at CAPERS in The Junction; their FB page confirms it.
Family and friends will gather at Holy Family Church one week from tomorrow to remember Bob Youngs. Here’s the remembrance sent to us to share with you:
Robert (Bob) M. Youngs, Sr. passed away suddenly at home on November 21, 2013, at age 83.
He was born in Longview, Washington, on March 23, 1930, the third of six children born to Curtis and Ruth Youngs. While growing up, Bob and his family moved up and down the West Coast, living in Washington, Oregon, and California. While living in Aumsville, Oregon, during his high-school years, he met the love of his life, Rosalie Mack, and they married in 1950.
Shortly after marrying, Bob was drafted into the Army and served in the Korean War. After returning to his family, he attended Oregon State University and earned a degree in Electrical Engineering, while also working as a cabinet-maker. Bob and Rose moved to Seattle, where Bob spent the next 34 years at Seattle City Light, retiring as Chief Electrical Engineer. Together, Bob and Rose raised five children and recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. They could often be seen walking hand-in-hand; their love still had the spark of newlyweds.
Bob was an avid outdoorsman, loved to spend time with his family and friends, and was a jack-of-all trades…if it was broken or in need of repair, he found a way to fix it. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, boating, skiing, hiking, gardening, as well as traveling near and far. His family and friends reaped the benefits of his woodworking skills, with built-in cabinetry, desks, staircases, fireplaces, and more. Bob helped guide years of youth serving as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 351. Bob was very involved with church activities and provided strong leadership to the Holy Family Knights of Columbus (PGK, FS). Bob also dedicated many hours to The Mountaineers Snoqualmie Lodge, helping create a wonderful family getaway. In all of his endeavors, Bob benefitted from many lasting friendships that have endured throughout the years.
Bob was a dedicated father, grandfather, and friend to many. He is survived by his wife Rose, their children, Rob (Brenda), Rich (Lisa), Rex, Ross (Suzanne), and Ruth (Dennis Lew), and their grandchildren, Derek Youngs (Brittnee), Ashley Youngs, Kelli Youngs, Tony, Devin, and Cameron Lew, and their great-grandsons, Carter Youngs, Tyler Lew, and Jordan Lew.
A Rosary will be held on Friday, December 13th, at 7:00 p.m. and a Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 14th at 10:00 a.m. with a reception following the service. Both events will be at Holy Family Church, 9622 20th Ave SW, Seattle. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s memory to Holy Family School Randy Terlicker Scholarship Fund.
(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
At the center of our photo from this past July is West Seattleite Rusty Harper, photographed as he led his fellow Seafair Pirates ashore at Alki Beach as this year’s “Captain Kidd.” Last weekend, Mr. Harper died at just 56 years old. His wife Bonnie shares this remembrance:
Rusty Harper
October 1957 – December 2013
Rusty Harper, of West Seattle, will be remembered most recently as Captain Kidd of the Seattle Seafair Pirates this year. He loved the camaraderie and being a part of the “historic tapestry of Seattle”. He got the biggest thrill at the start of every Torchlight Parade. Looking straight down 4th Avenue at the throngs of people waiting for the first cannon blast from the Moby Duck was his favorite moment each year. His Pirate friends became his brothers, and brothers help make a place a home. His motto was “Tempus Fugit.”
His friends knew him as a Southern Gentleman. He was born in a small town in Mississippi, but spent most of his youth in Mobile, Alabama. Although he and his wife of 20 years, Bonnie, lived in Seattle since 1995, Rusty retained his beautiful accent. After a career in real estate, Rusty went to culinary school, which brought him to Seattle. He worked in the food manufacturing industry for years, but most recently joined Sage Fly Fishing on Bainbridge Island.
Rusty was on a continuous journey to enrich his mind and soul. His search led him to convert to Catholicism in his early 30’s. He was a passionate reader of literature, history, sci-fi and horror. He wanted to finish War and Peace, but only made it through the difficult part that was written in French – he had so looked forward to reading the rest in English. He loved graphic novels and comics, too. He spent many hours with his nose buried in the Dark Knight series of Batman. He loved art and music. As a baby boomer, of course there was AC/DC and Led Zeppelin, but he developed a profound love of jazz and big band music, particularly Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Duke Ellington. Travel was a big part of Rusty’s life. In recent trips to Europe, he spent many happy hours exploring art and culture. Several petite Parisian ladies working in a tiny chocolate shop might remember the shock of seeing a big redhead in a trench coat burst through the doors declaring in French, “I am an American chocolatier – where is the metro?”.
Rusty was the only son of Patricia Harper, who lives in Mobile, and the late Russell Harper. Rusty is remembered by his wife and her big family of sisters, nieces, nephews, and their children who loved their Uncle Rusty. His “hey, ya’ll”, “Roll Tide!”, big grin, and hearty laugh will be profoundly missed. Tempus fugit. Vita brevis.
Mr. Harper’s memorial is this Saturday (December 7th), 2-4 pm at The Sanctuary at Admiral (2656 42nd SW).
(Photo courtesy Suyama Peterson Deguchi)
Congratulations to another West Seattleite who recently won a national award: Architect George Suyama, FAIA, honored with the American Institute of Architects magazine Residential Architect‘s Hall of Fame Award, which put him on the cover this fall.
Suyama is a Fauntleroy resident who is principal of Belltown-headquartered Suyama Peterson Deguchi; since he is based downtown, we might have missed news of the award if not for a tip from a WSB reader. The magazine profile (see the online version here, the digitized magazine here) describes him as “known for tranquil houses that blend seamlessly with nature and the land” and details a life story that began with infancy and toddlerhood in the Minidoka internment camp. Suyama opened his architecture practice 42 years ago. In addition to winning myriad awards leading up to being chosen for the Hall of Fame – as detailed in the official announcement – he also has served the community in ways including membership on the Seattle Arts Commission.
1:04 PM TUESDAY: Three days until the My Macy’s Holiday Parade downtown – and we have word of at least three local participants to watch for: The Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School marching bands, plus the Salty’s nutcrackers (which are teamed with the WSHS band, according to an announcement from Salty’s [WSB sponsor]). We’re hoping to get the official parade lineup so we can check for other local participants – in the meantime, please let us know if you’re part of it, or know someone from West Seattle who is. The parade starts at 9 am Friday, and runs along the route shown above, from 7th and Pine down to 5th, south on 5th to University, then turning back north on 4th until it ends at, of course, Macy’s.
10:47 AM WEDNESDAY: Thanks to Trisha for this update: “Just wanted to add that Evergreen City Ballet will also be participating with Salty’s and the bands. The ballerinas will be wearing Nutcracker costumes and marching in the parade. My daughter is a sophomore at CSIHS and will be one of them!” (Added) Also from comments, at least one West Seattle girl, a WSHS student, will be marching with the La Señoritas Sabers drill team.
Family and friends will gather in memory of David “Thad” Batchelder at Our Lady of Guadalupe this Wednesday. Here is the remembrance announcement shared by his family:
David Windsor Thaddeus Batchelder, 22, died last Wednesday, 11/20/2013.
Thad was born to David and Kimberly Batchelder, July 3, 1991, in Seattle. Thad graduated from West Seattle High School in 2009 and spent his most recent days working alongside his father.
Our son’s passion was always skateboarding. He spent many, many days skating with friends in West Seattle’s skate parks and areas. He loved music, flag football, the Seahawks, the Boston Red Sox, and hanging out with his huge network of friends and family.
Thad is survived by his parents; Kimberly and Howard Chilcott, David and Michele Batchelder, siblings; Audrey Batchelder, Jackson Chilcott, Samuel Batchelder, Amy Batchelder, Benjamin Batchelder, and beloved niece Gracelyn Mae Pepper.
“We love him more than all the world can hold…”
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am this Wednesday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church with reception afterward in the parish hall.
(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
Lots of winners in the 15th annual Beer Church Turkey Bowl, one of our area’s most boisterous benefits, Saturday night at West Seattle Bowl. We got there just in time to hear Beer Church director Kendall Jones announce that the Mission team (above, with Kendall at left) won the bowling part of the night, and that the “Battle of the Brewers” trophy would go to Elliott Bay Brewing Co. (team below with Kendall and, at left, Kim Sharpe Jones):
Also winners: The clients of the West Seattle Food Bank, the beneficiary of Turkey Bowl proceeds – as well as cash and food donations, which this WSFB team was on hand to handle:
The night’s festivities also included raffle items donated by local businesses and breweries (see the list on the Turkey Bowl page). As Kendall is quoted on the Beer Church home page as saying, “We encourage beer lovers everywhere to get involved in their communities and work to make the world a better place. Donate, volunteer, participate.” (P.S. He also runs the Washington Beer Blog, where you can tap into beer news from all over the state.)
10:42 AM UPDATE: New info from Kim, in comments – more than $4,400 raised for the WS Food Bank, in addition to the donated food itself.
Thanks to Don Brubeck from West Seattle Bike Connections for sharing the photo from their work party at the East Duwamish Waterway Fishing Pier, along the bike trail to/from downtown. He says some new volunteers showed up and they “got a lot done. Hoping to keep it going. Shared some donuts with the people fishing.” You can keep up with WSBC’s activities – from volunteerism to advocacy and beyond – via westseattlebikeconnections.org.
Family and friends will gather next month to celebrate the life of 75-year-old Bob Privett. Here’s the remembrance his family is sharing:
Robert (Bob) M. Privett, of West Seattle, passed away surrounded by family on November 12, 2013. Bob is survived by his son, Mark Privett; his daughter, Lisa Hines, and her husband, John Hines; his granddaughters, Grace and Sarah Hines; his companion, Holly Howard; and many other loving family members and friends. Bob survived an aggressive form of prostate cancer only to die from acute myeloid leukemia five years later, at the age of 75.
Born in Boise, Idaho, Bob lived most of his life in Seattle. He attended Gonzaga University and served in the US Air Force. Bob was a certified employee benefit specialist and later a computer and network consultant. While semi-retired, Bob drove a shuttle bus for patients and families of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.
Bob was a warm, intelligent, and witty man who enjoyed traveling, bicycling, hiking, and sailing. Bob was an active and warm presence in several 12-step programs and served as a volunteer for the 34th District Democrats.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 11:00 am at Dakota Place Park, 4304 SW Dakota.
Memorial contributions may be made in Bob’s name to the American Cancer Society (here).
(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, with a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
Family and friends will gather Sunday at The Hall at Fauntleroy to remember Patt Sutton, 86, who led a full life of community service, family-raising, and more, as her daughter Amy Sutton writes::
Mrs. Patt Sutton, two-term president of the Seattle School Board, tireless citizen advocate for equitable education, and mother of 12, left us peacefully in the early morning November 14, 2013. Patt was admired by many for her strong voice, her warmth, passion, humor and keen intellect, and above all, her unwavering commitment to social justice.
Patt was born September 12, 1927 in Oklahoma City to Ruth (Burdick) and Lawrence George Harries. As a child growing up in the Jim Crow south, she was acutely aware of the hypocrisy and unjustness of segregation. An independent thinker, she questioned inequities whenever she found them, prompting her early departure from high school, college and the Catholic Church.
Patt met her husband and life partner Dr. John William (Bill) Sutton while attending the University of Nevada. She was blessed to meet her match in a man who admired her strength and unconventionality, as well as their shared desire to “go for an even dozen.” Following their marriage in March 1949, they moved to Santa Barbara, where Bill taught chemistry at the University of California. The family relocated to Ohio in 1955 when Bill joined the faculty at Denison University. Patt supplemented their income by working as a secretary at the local inn.
As a young adult, Patt worked as a reporter at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
| 9 COMMENTS