West Seattle, Washington
13 Thursday
The United Way is looking for local volunteers to help with its free tax-prep service. Here’s the announcement:
Looking to make an impact in your community in the new year? United Way’s Free Tax Preparation Campaign is one of the largest IRS-funded, volunteer-driven VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) programs in the state, and we’re looking for volunteers to help us tackle tax season! This year, the Campaign will have two local free tax sites – the West Seattle Food Bank and White Center Library — and we’re looking for West Seattleites just like you to join us for four hours a week, no tax experience required. Outside West Seattle, or have friends and relatives in other King County neighborhoods? We have many other opportunities across the county as well as remotely. For more information and to sign up, please visit our website, uwkc.org/taxvolunteer.
6:01 AM: Good morning. It’s Wednesday, October 26th.
WEATHER
Partly sunny, possibly more rain, high around 50.
TRAFFIC NOTES
-Vice President Kamala Harris‘s visit continues today, with events at Lumen Field and at Showbox Market before flying out of Boeing Field before.2 pm.
-Closure of the outer southbound lane on West Marginal Way between 17th SW and the Duwamish Longhouse continues, collecting data for the protected-bike-lane project
-The east end of Sylvan Way remains closed for a drainage project.
TRANSIT INFO
–Metro buses are on their regular schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts.
-Still a 2-boat schedule for WSF’s Triangle Route (check here for alerts/updates).
-The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its fall/winter schedule (still daily, all dayparts, but no late Friday/Saturday runs).
SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS
High Bridge – here’s the camera at the top.
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (if SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way).
Low Bridge: Open to all.
1st Ave. S. Bridge: The alternate route.
Highway 99: Here’s the northbound side at Lander.
All functional city traffic cams can be seen here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
If you see trouble on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
Halloween’s now less than a week away, so we have to start doubling up on the spotlights! First, from Lindsay and Zach:
We are excited to announce that our Halloween Town display is now showing at 3050 64th Ave SW off Alki. 24/7 show from now through Nov 1st, with full light show on Halloween night. Mostly a ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’-themed display, but don’t miss the pirate ship and giant grim reaper.
We’re also participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project and will have trinkets available for any kiddos that may have food allergies or sensitivities. Happy Halloween!
As mentioned previously, we’re compiling a Teal Pumpkin Project list to add to our West Seattle Halloween Guide before trick-or-treat time. Meantime, more creative decorations – Albert‘s house at 49th/Hudson has the theme “Let’s Ride Skeleton Style”!
Thanks again to everyone who’s been sending decoration photos!
(From SPU website: Rendering of ‘natural drainage system’ a few years post-installation)
On a rainy night, we have an update on another “natural-drainage systems” project in West Seattle – this time in Highland Park. These are the types of installations that have previously gone by names such as “roadside raingardens.” If you have questions about it, you’ll have a chance to ask project reps from Seattle Public Utilities during Wednesday night’s HPAC meeting. An info-sheet sent to nearby residents (see it here) says the project will be built along SW Holden between 16th SW and 17th SW and on a half-block of the east side of 17th. SPU is working with SDOT because the project will involve street changes too:
• Natural Drainage Systems: Natural drainage systems will help improve stormwater drainage and remove
pollutants from stormwater runoff to improve water quality in Longfellow Creek.• Roadway Improvements: This project will include roadway improvements, such as curb bulbs, ADA ramps, and landscape plantings.
Community input, alongside technical evaluations, will be essential during each project phase. The project team will work with impacted neighbors and community members to understand important issues in the neighborhood and identify feasible and appropriate locations for natural drainage systems. Community members will be able to share their input through a variety of online and in-person activities and surveys. Community engagement will be ongoing through all phases of the project – planning, design, and construction.
There’s more project info on the official website, where you’ll also see how to participate in/watch tomorrow night’s online meeting, which starts at 7 pm. SPU says the design starts early next year, and construction is expected in 2024-2025.
Plans for this year’s West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays are proceeding, and this year will bring something new: GLOWS – Glorious Lights of West Seattle. WSJA executive director Chris Mackay says it’ll have multiple components, but right now they’re starting with a call for artists for a “light fashion show” as part of the biggest Hometown Holidays night, Saturday, December 3rd. There’ll be a community light-costume contest – how brightly can YOU shine? – and that’ll be judged by five artists who will each create a “costume of light” to wear as they promenade around The Junction 5-9 pm that night. Each chosen artist gets a $1,000 stipend, Interested? Here’s the application form.
4:02 PM: While we’re talking traffic, you’ve probably heard that Vice President Kamala Harris is headed to Seattle. Citywide media says she’s leaving Albuquerque and heading here; listed flight-duration times suggest an arrival after 6:30 pm. Her destination airport is reported to be nearby Boeing Field. Depending on where she goes from there, if you’re driving at that time, you might encounter temporary freeway shutdowns for her motorcade. She’s due to have at least one public and one private event tomorrow; any information that becomes available in advance, we’ll add here and include in our traffic-info roundup tomorrow.
4:49 PM: The vice president is reported to have left Albuquerque around 4:30, so her arrival here will probably be closer to 7:30.
6:32 PM: She’s actually just arrived. (And the I-5 traffic cameras have all been taken offline.)
8:07 PM: According to the NW Progressive Institute via Twitter, “Tomorrow Harris has two announced events: an appearance with U.S. Sen. Patty] Murray at Lumen Field to highlight investments in clean school buses and another appearance with Murray at a fundraising event (Showbox Market). The VP will then depart Seattle around 1:50 PM Pacific, before the rush.”
2:43 PM: For the third time in four days, there’s a crash blocking lanes on the westbound West Seattle Bridge at the spot where it meets the ramp from southbound Highway 99. The other two happened on Saturday – morning (involving a Metro bus) and afternoon.
3:27 PM: Tow truck has just taken a damaged vehicle away. (The scene was fully cleared shortly afterward.)
5:25 PM: As commenters are pointing out, there’s yet another crash in that spot – here’s the SDOT camera image:
6:17 PM: That scene is clear.
1:47 PM: Thanks for the tip – just heard a dispatch on this, too. A tree has fallen on the southbound lanes of West Marginal Way SW in the 4800 block, described by our tipster as “right before you get to the Alaska Marine Lines complex.” Police are on scene and SDOT is being sent. No damage or injuries reported.
3:31 PM: No confirmation on whether it’s cleared but the video camera at West Marginal/Highland Park Way shows traffic is coming through from that area.
12:31 PM: Thanks to John McIntyre for that video of salmon in Longfellow Creek. We don’t know how many have shown up there so far this fall, as Longfellow doesn’t have a formal watching program, but we have another report from the creek that does: Fauntleroy Creek steward Judy Pickens sent word that volunteer watchers have spotted the first salmon of the season, “moving through the fish ladder into the natural channel!” Last year, watchers counted a near-record 244 fish. If you want to look for salmon, the Fauntleroy Creek fish-ladder overlook is across the street and up the embankment from the ferry dock, at SW Director and upper Fauntleroy; for Longfellow Creek, the “fishbone bridge” south of Dragonfly Pavilion (off 28th SW south of SW Yancy) is one place to look.
5:44 PM: Thanks to Kerry for sharing this in comments – video of that first arrival on the Fauntleroy fish ladder:
Judy Pickens tells us there will be an “open creek” on Saturday so you can go look for fish firsthand – we’ll have details tomorrow.
10:28 AM: Thanks for the tips. Shown in our photo are some of the law-enforcement vehicles that were blocking a section of 26th SW between Findlay and Brandon this morning, one of at least four West Seattle locations where readers have reported seeing operations involving federal agents. FBI agents in marked jackets were still on scene at this one when we went by, and would confirm only that it was a warrant situation. (As indicated by the one marked vehicle in our photo, a Washington State Patrol K-9 team was involved as well.) Other locations where readers reported federal agents included 16th SW in Riverside – where a reader also was told it was warrant service, and where “flashbangs” were heard – 21st SW on Puget Ridge, and near Riverview Playfield. We have inquiries out to both federal and local agencies and will update with whatever we hear back.
4:09 PM: Looks like we won’t get full details until tomorrow. SPD told us info would be coming from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The latter has just sent a media advisory announcing a downtown briefing tomorrow afternoon on “indictments of three drug trafficking groups (and) more than a thousand pounds of drugs seized” with “more than a dozen arrests.” The briefing lineup includes the regional U.S. Attorney, local FBI and DEA leaders, and SPD Chief Adrian Diaz. We’ll be there.
(Dawn Redwood cone, photographed by Rosalie Miller)
Happening today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and previews:
BLOCK DROP: Find DIY cleaning supplies – and drop off what your cleanup collects – at High Point’s Juneau P-Patch (32nd/Juneau), until 6 pm.
CITY BUDGET: First of three days in which the City Council is spending the entire day discussing possible changes to the proposed budget, meeting online and in-person – see the agenda here.
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) is open until 6 pm today, and it’s your last week to see the Southwest Artist Showcase display during those hours.
POSTCARDS TO VOTERS: A local way to take national action as Election Day nears – participating in the 10:30 am drop-in weekly gathering at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
CHESS CLUB: Play chess at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), 1:30 pm. Beginners welcome!
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Longstanding weekly 4:30-6 pm sign-waving demonstration continues at 16th/Holden. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
STARCRAWLER: Acoustic set plus meet-and-greet, 5 pm at Easy Street Records (California/Alaska).
SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).
STAR WARS MINIATURES NIGHT: Meeples Games (3727 California SW) hosts this weekly 7 pm event.
TRIVIA X 3: Three of the venues where you can play Tuesday nights – 7 pm at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 7:30 and 8:30 pm at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).
BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!
You can always see more, and preview future events, via our event calendar – if you have something to add, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather November 5 to remember Bob Yeasting. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with his community:
Robert Owen (Bob) Yeasting died in his home on October 4, 2022, at the age of 89 years old.
Born in Los Angeles on August 16, 1933, to John O. and Ruth A. Yeasting. Bob moved to West Seattle at age two, where his father opened a national accounting office to manage the Boeing account. As a teenager, Bob was active in the Boy Scouts, where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and in the Mountaineers, where he climbed many of the peaks in Washington State from Mount Rainier on down; and hiked and climbed with Northwest legends including the Whittakers, Ira Spring, and Pete Schoening. After graduating West Seattle High School in 1951, Bob attended the University of Washington and embarked on an expedition that made the first ascent of the 14,070-foot Mount Augusta in Alaska in 1952.
Graduating from the University of Washington School of Business in 1955, Bob commissioned as an Ensign in the US Navy after completing NROTC, and married the love of his life, Rita Lucille Kramer. Bob and Rita moved to Long Beach, California, and he served as a navigator in the 7th Fleet and later, as a Lieutenant, joined the command staff of the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean, where their daughter Susan was born in Cannes, France, in 1957.
After completing his naval service, Bob and Rita moved back to Seattle, where he began his business career and they began to grow their family with the birth of Linda in 1960, Bill in 1962, and John in 1970. After working for William P. Harper and Son, Bob joined investment banking firm Foster and Marshall in the late ’60s, where he ultimately led their municipal finance operations as their Sr. Exec VP working alongside Mike Foster. When Foster and Marshall was sold in the 1980s, Bob opened his own firm and continued to distinguish himself as a leader in the municipal finance sector for another 20-plus years. His legacy lives on in the countless infrastructure projects he financed throughout the Northwest, from water supply and sewer systems to stadiums and marinas.
As his family grew, Bob switched his recreational attentions from climbing to skiing and sailing, along with many family hiking adventures and station wagon road trips. In 1965, Bob found a perfect lot in West Seattle to build their dream home, which he designed himself, to raise their family and where he spent his last 57 years. In 1977, after just a couple years of sailing experience, Bob took his family on a 30-day circumnavigation of Vancouver Island in British Columbia on a 36-foot sailboat. After 20 years of family sailing trips, Bob and Rita shifted to a 45-foot trawler, where they made seven round trips to Southeast Alaska via the Inside Passage over the next 15 years. Family and friends had countless opportunities to join them on these and other journeys that directly inspired many to join the boating community of the Northwest.
Always active as a community booster from PTA carnivals and political campaigns of the ’70s, Bob invested ever more time in the West Seattle community as he entered retirement. After teasing Rita about her countless hours spent on the Arts West association, he joined their board and led their fundraising effort to build the Arts West Playhouse, which serves the community today. He also led the West Seattle High School Foundation, which raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to fill funding shortfalls in music, arts, and sports programs, and served on an advisory board for the Genesee Hill school construction. Bob also became a deacon at West Side Presbyterian Church in his 70s.
Bob always enjoyed family time, whether hosting family gatherings or regularly traveling to visit. He enjoyed a good game night and could trash talk with the best of ‘em. As Alzheimer’s took more of his memory in his last few years, his personality and wit remained intact until the end, as he was winning games of Chinese checkers in his last days.
His richest legacy lives on in his surviving family, led by his wife of 67 years, Rita, and his twin sister, Judy Hughes of Orcas Island, four children: Susan ‘Suze’ (Frank Marcinko), Linda (Carrington Bailey), Bill (Julie Quist Yeasting), John (Susan Eastly) and their ten grandchildren, David (Kaila) Kroeker and Samantha Kroeker; Zach (Vera) Bailey and Carl (Jessica) Bailey; Kristin (Alex) Yeasting, Danielle (Sean) Gallagher and Alec Yeasting; Owen Yeasting, Victor Yeasting, and Olivia Owenby, along with seven great-grandchildren and counting! Bob was preceded in death by son-in-law Ken Kroeker and daughter-in-law Kerrie Manolovitz Yeasting.
His family fondly remembers him singing the Bing Crosby chorus: “Where the blue of the night, Meets the gold of the day, Someone waits for me,” as he would come to the dinner table. And his high compliment of a good dinner was “Just like downtown!”
A memorial service and celebration of life is planned for November 5, 2022, at 11 AM at The Hall at Fauntleroy.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s memory to:
The Mountaineers, 7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115
mountaineers.org/donate
(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)
7:19 AM: SFD is responding to an incident at 35th/Avalon.
7:40 AM: Texter says a police response is blocking 26th between Brandon and Findlay.
8:21 AM: This was a warrant service, and not the only one around the area. We are following up.
Earlier:
6:01 AM: Good morning. It’s Tuesday, October 25th.
WEATHER
Cloudy with rain at times, high in the 50s, breezy afternoon/evening.
ROAD WORK AND RELATED NOTES
-Two-week closure of the outer southbound lane on West Marginal Way between 17th SW and the Duwamish Longhouse continues, to collect data for the protected-bike-lane project
-As noted Sunday night, the California/Findlay pedestrian signal is now activated. (One component left to come – the median island.)
-The east end of Sylvan Way remains closed for a drainage project.
TRANSIT INFO
Metro buses are on their regular schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts.
Still a 2-boat schedule for WSF’s Triangle Route (check here for alerts/updates).
The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its fall/winter schedule (still daily, all dayparts, but no late Friday/Saturday runs).
SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS
High Bridge – here’s the camera at the top.
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end.
Low Bridge: Open to all.
1st Ave. S. Bridge: The alternate route.
Highway 99: Here’s the northbound side at Lander.
All functional city traffic cams can be seen here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
If you see trouble on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
9:04 PM: Are you still waiting for your general-election ballot? Alfred discovered nine ballots in the bushes along 26th SW, near Delridge Playfield, and sent this photo:
He wrote, “I am guessing the best thing to do is to return them to the post office for re-delivery but found the situation disturbing. Notifying you in case this is happening in other areas of West Seattle. No other mail was found, just the November election ballots.” We advised him also to contact King County Elections, which mailed ballots last Wednesday. If you haven’t received your ballot yet, they want to hear from you at 206-296-VOTE (8683). (And a reminder that you can choose to get new alerts about your ballot’s status – start the sign-up process here.)
ADDED 9:29 PM: We asked Alfred if the ballots appeared to have adjacent addresses or common names. He replied that they’re all from “the same blocks of 25th and 26th.”
The report and photo are from Johnathan:
This bike was abandoned at a spot on Alaska between Delridge and 25th Ave SW, where an encampment was until last night. I figure it is probably stolen, so I thought I’d share with y’all in case someone is looking for it.
This is across from the ex-South West Plumbing site; we went by late today and the bike is still there, along with assorted junk, where a half-dozen RVs were parked as recently as Sunday afternoon.
(Photos courtesy Meeds Manor)
In our West Seattle Halloween spotlight tonight, Meeds Manor is back! Jessica Meeds explains that the house at 45th and Stevens has “a new set =up in the front yard with a carnEVIL theme, but the rest you will have to come see for yourself!”
They’ll open for a walk-through on Halloween night, 5:30-9 pm. Jessica adds, “This year we are taking donations to support the West Seattle High School girls’ basketball team. The team will be working the event for their fundraiser.” Meeds Manor is among the attractions listed in our West Seattle Halloween Guide – we’re still adding to it, so if you have something to send, from decoration photos to a Halloween or Dia de Muertos event, please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(Rendering by Mahlum, from the info packet for proposed zoning ‘departures’)
If you’re interested in commenting on the nine zoning exceptions – “departures” – proposed for the Alki Elementary rebuild, you have extra time. The city has extended the comment deadline to November 4th. The proposed departures are:
1) Greater-than-allowed building height
2) Reduced vehicular parking quantity
3) Bus loading and unloading
4) New curb cut to service area without vehicular parking
5) Increased curb-cut width
6) Increased curb-cut flare
7) Reduced bicycle parking (long-term) quantity
8) Amended bicycle parking performance standards
9) Signage/changing-image sign
For details on the project and the proposed departures, go here. Here’s how to comment:
Nelson Pesigan
E-mail: Nelson.Pesigan@seattle.gov
Mailing Address:
Seattle Department of Neighborhoods
PO Box 94649
Seattle, WA 98124-4649
Construction is expected to start next year and last for two years, during which time Alki Elementary will be temporarily housed at the former Schmitz Park Elementary, which is currently temporary home to West Seattle Elementary, while an addition is being built at its permanent campus.
On Friday and Sunday, we noted reader reports of brown water, mostly in – but not limited to – the Junction vicinity. The people we heard from didn’t get a clear explanation from Seattle Public Utilities, and no water break ever turned up on the SPU map. Today we checked back with SPU spokesperson Sabrina Register, and here’s what she has found out: “We believe it was the result of one of our water system pump stations being operated after a two month period being out of service for related construction work. We have taken the pump station offline while we develop a plan to restart it that will minimize water system disturbance and customers experiencing discolored water.” The “disturbance” usually refers to sediment – mostly rust from unlined cast-iron pipes – getting stirred up in the water pipes by unusual activity, from hydrant testing to water-main breaks. Back in the mid-2010s, brown water was happening so often that SPU did a large-scale “flush” in West Seattle. What’s important is to report discolored water when it happens – 206-386-1800 – so it’s on record with SPU (and let us know too because that way there’s a very public record). In the meantime, here’s the SPU advice on what to do in hopes it’ll clear your water. Discolored water is not necessarily a health risk but it can also discolor your laundry, for example.
SPD’s weekend report summaries include one incident of confirmed gunfire in West Seattle. 911 calls came in around quarter till three on Saturday afternoon reporting up to six shots heard in North Delridge. Responding officers found “evidence of a shooting” in the 2700 block of SW Brandon, an area bordering greenspace. No victims or property damage found, and no mention of witnesses. If you have any information, the incident # is 2022-284341.
ADDED TUESDAY: Just found this, miscategorized in the SPD summaries as a South Precinct report:
At 0055 hours (early Monday), officers responded to a report of 15-20 shots in the area of Lincoln Park. Upon arrival, officers located evidence of a shooting near the north parking lot tree line. Officers contacted a witness who advised he had seen 2 suspects flee the scene SB on Fauntleroy Way SW in a green pickup truck with “glowing wheels.” The scene was processed by patrol. No victims or damage located.
This incident # is 2022-285701.
Another infusion of volunteer help was at work this past Saturday at Habitat for Humanity‘s Highland Terrace project in South Delridge. The site in the 9000 block of 15th SW will hold six “permanently affordable” two- and three-bedroom homes that’ll be complete by next summer, to be owned by families earning less than 80 percent of the Area Median Income. Future homeowners help with the construction, too – Penny was among those working at the site on Saturday:
Also there on Saturday was a contingent of volunteers from ADT, one of the companies that has donated to the project.
ADT donated $30,000 to cover the cost of energy-efficient heat pumps for the homes at Highland Terrace. Last month, AT&T sent volunteers to the site along with a $10,000 donation. This is not the first Habitat for Humanity project in West Seattle – others include a 4-unit site near Westwood Village and 20 homes scattered around the High Point redevelopment in the late ’00s.
(WSB photo, October 2021)
That’s the crew at Outer Space Seattle during last year’s first-ever Alki Beach Trick-or-Treat event. They just sent word it’s returning this year – 10 am-2 pm this Saturday (October 29th). Seven Alki businesses are sponsoring (with more participating) – here’s the map:
We’re added this to the trick-or-treat-event list atop the WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide, which also lists seasonal fun from front-yard shows to bar parties – if you have something to add, please email the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(Lincoln Park fall colors, by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Here’s what’s on the schedule for the rest of your Monday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) is open 10 am-6 pm today, with just six days left for you to see the Southwest Artist Showcase display.
CRAFTING AND CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), explained in our calendar listing.
HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: Three local home games today – first, in girls’ soccer, at 4 pm it’s West Seattle High School vs. Ingraham at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle) and at 4:30 pm, Chief Sealth International High School vs. Nathan Hale at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle). Then in volleyball, WSHS hosts Bishop Blanchet at 7 pm. (3000 California SW)
MEDITATION: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation event at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
PLAY TRIVIA! Three scheduled options tonight for trivia players – 7 pm at Best of Hands (35th/Webster), 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Have a West Seattle/White Center event to list on our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather November 12th to remember Carolyn L. Overton and are sharing this remembrance with her community:
Carolyn L. Overton
5/2/1935 – 9/12/2022Carolyn Louise Overton passed away from natural causes on September 12, 2022. She was 87 years old.
Carolyn was born in Seattle on May 2, 1935. She was the cherished only child of Fred H. Heidrich and Dorothy E. Probstfeld, and lived her entire life on the same street as a third-generation West Seattleite. She attended West Seattle High School and graduated in the class of 1953.
To celebrate their graduation, Carolyn and her lifelong best friend, Phyllis High, took a trip to Alaska, where Carolyn met her future husband, Donald E. Overton, who was serving in the U.S. Air Force. After discharge from the service, Don moved to Seattle and they were married in 1955 at the Alki Congregational Church.
Carolyn and Don raised two sons, Greg and Dean. Carolyn was a dedicated mother: loving, supportive, and encouraging. She took great pride in her family and treasured her close relationships with her devoted sons.
In 1979, Carolyn was hired to manage the cafeteria at Alki Elementary School. She enjoyed working for the school district and she was adored by her many students for her kindness, generosity and caring. Many of her students and coworkers kept in touch with her throughout the remainder of her life.
When Carolyn retired from the school district in 1995, she began volunteering her time working for the Cancer Society’s Discovery Shop in West Seattle Junction. She made many friends through the Discovery Shop and enjoyed the reward of volunteering for a charity she believed in. For several years, she participated in a water aerobics class at the West Seattle YMCA and formed long-lasting friendships with several of the other members.
Carolyn had many gifts and honorable qualities; she was a beautiful letter writer, a talented ceramist, candy maker, and baker. She was famous among friends and family for her lasagna, canned peaches, applesauce, and deviled eggs. Carolyn was a progressive thinker, open minded, and accepting of all people. She had great empathy for others and even in her last days, she worried about friends and family who were going through difficulties.
Although Carolyn’s health and mobility declined in the last several years, she was grateful to be able to return to the house she grew up in and live independently in her home after her husband’s death in 2007. Carolyn was fortunate to be surrounded by many caring and thoughtful friends in her close-knit West Seattle neighborhood. The Overton family is thankful for the support of neighbors and friends who visited her, checked on her well being, shared meals, helped her with tasks, and brought her cheer, especially when she was housebound due to her health. We would also like to extend a special and heartfelt “thank you” to her very dedicated and loving caregiver, Maria Torentino, whose wonderful and compassionate assistance for so many years allowed Carolyn to remain in the home she dearly loved.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her loving husband and her parents. She is survived by her sons, Greg (Teresa) and Dean (Lisa), her special cousins: Sally Cruikshank, Jan Herzog, and Mar Hyde and their respective families, as well as her very best friend, Phyllis High. Carolyn was loved and will be deeply missed by her family and her many friends. “Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts”
A Celebration of Life will be held at The Chelan Cafe in West Seattle on November 12, 2022 @ 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Medic One Foundation, Providence Hospice of Seattle, or the American Cancer Society.
(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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