Carol Slawson

Carol Slawson 1934-2009

Carol passed away on July 16th at her adult family home after a five year battle with Alzheimer’s. The family wishes to give special thanks to the care givers at Grace Adult Family Home who have given Carol such loving care over the past four years.

Carol was born and raised in Spokane, one of three daughters of Jack and Helen Slosser. Carol graduated from WSC in 1956 and began a teaching career in Seattle that lasted over twenty four years.

A parent of two of Carol’s kindergarten students wrote these words recently:
“…I remember the first time I met Carol. I visited her kindergarten classroom to see if
she was the right teacher for my daughter. I fell in love with her immediately. I was so
thrilled that my daughter would be with Carol. She was obviously a loving, encouraging,
creative teacher. I know for a fact that my son is the person he is today because of
Carol’s encouragement. He started school being very unsure of himself and somewhere
during his time with Carol, he became self-confident and a school leader. I miss her
terribly now that she is gone. She will be in my thoughts forever…”

Devoted to all children, Carol helped raise two children with her husband, taught kindergarten, was a Brownie Leader, a Cub Scout Den Mother and an
active teacher/leader in her church Sunday school. Her children will always remember her wonderful ‘theme’ birthday parties when they were growing up.

Carol is survived by her husband Tom, son Keith, and daughter Julie. Soleil, daughter of Keith and Hillary, is her only grandchild. Carol’s sister Eleanor lives in Southern California with her family.

A memorial service will be held at St. Andrews Lutheran Church 2650 148th Ave. S.E. Bellevue, WA on Thursday, August 6th at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that remembrances be made to Seattle Public Schools or the Alzheimer’s Association in her name.

Dorothy Hayes

Born Dorothy Elizabeth McReynolds in Rice, WA on March 25, 1920. Passed away peacefully at home in Bellevue on June 12, 2009.  A talented gardener, avid beachcomber, mushroom-hunter, dancer and gracious hostess of many lively parties and gatherings, she will be missed dearly.  Her Fourth of July picnic was a neighborhood tradition for many years and her door was always open.  Family and friends were always greeted with laughter and, often, a bowl of her special clam chowder.

Dorothy is survived by sons John E. and William J. Garrott, 7 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great granddaughter, and siblings Gertrude, Edith, Richard and Irene. Preceding her in death were her parents, Maynard and Viola, and sister Margeurite.

While in Superior, AZ with her sister Margeurite, Dorothy met and married William W. Garrott. They raised their 2 boys in Kent, WA. She later married Charles Hayes. Kent remained her home until 2007.

Her energy was amazing – working as an accountant into her 70’s, she still managed to maintain a tremendous flower garden so extensive and lovely that strangers would stop and ask to look around. When the sun went down she would head to The Golden Steer for a night of dancing. People much younger may not have kept up with her.

One of her great joys were trips to the ocean at La Push, WA where she gathered shells and other materials for the endless craft projects she created.  At her express request, her ashes will be scattered at her beloved ocean and no funeral services will be held.

An informal celebration of Dorothy’s life will be held on 9/12/09 from 1-4pm at 2580 152^nd Ave NE, Redmond  WA. All are welcome. If you have a special memory to share, please bring it along, the family would love hearing it. For details call Cindy Garrott at 425-289-8454.

Elaine Higginbotham

Elaine Higginbotham

Beulah Thompson

My mom, Beulah Thompson, passed away in her sleep Weds July 8,2009. She was 91.  Mom was known for her positive and cheerful attitude.  She embraced all friends and animals who came into her world.  Mom had a passion for learning. Even in her last months she was trying to master the Chinese characters and poetry which fascinated her.  Mom was first a great mother and wife.  Her work varied from factory worker,to  commercial art to business.  The common thread in her life was art.  She created her life like a great portrait.  The canvas was filled with details and sketches of the future vision. Her strength was in her relationship with God who was LOVE.  She lived her life infused with her belief in God and his mighty power.  Mom was born in Barre, Massachusetts,went to high school in Pasadena,Ca.  Went to Art College in Pasadena.  Married my dad in 1941.He passed away 12 years ago.  Mom became the GirlScout leader for me when I was a child because our town had none.She sewed beautiful prom gowns for me when I was in highschool.  She was active in leading Alanon for over 10 years and helped many young women. During retirement she mastered new skills.  She learned to play the organ. Mom also became skilled with stained glass art.    She and dad lived in norhtern California most of there lives.Mom served as a pastor in her church in Oroville,Ca for 3years, until they moved to So.California again. Mom was ready for adventure at the snap of your fingers.  Mom and Dad spent many happy hours at their favorite summer place,lake Almanor,camping and fishing.  They always shared their catch with other campers.  I remember when  I was 3-4 years old,my brother,Don(ED)Thompson,would come home from the Navy with his buddies.  Mom & Dad would make a big BBQ in our backyard.  All our friends were always welcome.  Mom enjoyed her grandchildren—Craig Thompson, Brian Thompson and was always interested in their accomplishments.  She was happy when granddaughter, Jana(Richter)Hughes went to college in Chico,and they could have dinners together. She had a very special connection with grandson, KenRichter,too.  It all started with StarWars and expanded to anything of science or sci-fi.  My mother was the youngest of 6 children and family life was very important to her.  I learned many lessons from her.  She has been an inspiration for how to live well and to die well. I love her so much .Sincerely,Carol

Frances Elizabeth Fuller

Fran passed away on June 17th at Newport House, Bellevue, WA . Our thanks to the staff and Evergreen Hospice.   Fran
 
was born Oct. 13, 1916 in Plevna, MT to Nick and Elizabeth Weinschrott..  She was preceded in death by her parents,
husband Harold, and sisters Catherine Barry and Marie Rosacker. 
 
Fran enjoyed her careers and many friends at Milwaukee Railroad, Olympic Savings Bank and Lilyblad Petroleum in Tacoma.
 
Fran is survived by her brother Karl Weinschrott; children, John Fuller (Jean) and Virginia Robinson: three granddaughters, Laurie Alexander, Lynn Bailie and Karen Fuller: and five great grandchildren.
 
A memorial service will be held at St. John of the Woods, 9903 – 24th Ave. E., Tacoma, on July 8, 2009 at 11:00am.

Click on the pictures below to see a larger version.

Glora Reese

Glora M. “Chic” Dorsett Reese

September 3, 1928- June 30, 2009

Born in Yakima, Wa. to parents Maude and Roscoe V. Dorsett Sr.

Survived by loving husband Karl Reese, Seattle Wa.

Brothers Ron Dorsett of Kirkland, Wa, and Virgil Dorsett of Mulino, OR.

Also survived by Daughters Nancy Craddock of Duvall and

Cheri Wagner of Quilcene, Wa, Sons: Fred Wagner, Monroe Wa., and

Brett Wagner, St Paul AK. 

Adored by 9 Grandchildren and 13 Great grandchildren.

There will be no memorial service at Chic’s request. 

A private family celebration of her

life to be held at a later date.

I have only slipped away into the next room.

I am I, and you are you,

Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.

Call me by the old familiar name. 

Speak of me in the easy way which you always used.

Put no difference into your tone.

Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed

At the little jokes that we enjoyed together

Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.

Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.

Let it be spoken without an effort,

Without the ghost of a shadow upon it.

Life means all that it ever meant.

It is the same as it ever was.

There is absolute and unbroken continuity.

What is this death but a negligible accident?

Why should I be out of mind because I am

out of sight?

I am but waiting for you,

For an interval,

Somewhere very near,

Just round the corner.

All is well.

-Henry Scott Holland

Love you gramma.  We will miss you.

Sharon Ann Gerken

Sharon Ann (Saylor) Gerken

Sharon Ann (Saylor) Gerken, born August 7 1943 peacefully went to be with the Lord June 20th 2009. She fought a brave battle with cancer. It may have claimed her body, but could never claim her soul. She truly had victory over death. Sharon is survived by her husband The Rev. Dr. Don Gerken of 43 years, two daughters and their husbands Andrea and Michael Huntley of Lynnwood, Washington, Jill and Kurtis Albertson of Bothell, Washington, two sons and their wives Andrew and Claudia Gerken of Monroe, Washington, and Lt. Eric and Claudia Gerken of Richmond, Texas. She is also survived by 4 grandchildren Charlie, Hudson, Summer, Jennifer, and by one brother and his wife Rolland and Deloris Saylor of Idaho as well as several nieces and nephews.
Sharon grew up in a small Iowa town and was preceded in death by her parents Earl and Grace Saylor. After graduation from High School, Sharon moved to Sioux City Iowa to complete her degree in Nursing. She then moved to Iowa City, Iowa by the way of Arizona and met her husband Don at the University of Iowa Hospitals. After they were married she and her husband went into the ministry serving several churches in Iowa and Wisconsin. After a full time traveling evangelistic ministry, Sharon and Don moved to the Central American country of Nicaragua to begin a missionary ministry. Sharon as a nurse supervised the clinics that were established for the poor. She went to India to work with the leprosy foundation through Volunteers in Medical Missions. She also founded along with Don the Centers of Hope Mission International as a continuing ministry to the poor of Central America.
When Sharon returned to the states she served in many nursing positions finally becoming a Hospice nurse. She worked even during the time of her treatment for cancer. She served many people at the end of their life with good nursing as well as spiritual help. She accounted for all of her experiences in a book she authored entitled “Don’t look in the pot” a journey of faith. When her time came she ministered to her family and many friends almost to the end. Sharon died peacefully and left us all with a sign of hope and encouragement. She died at Evergreen in patient Hospice where at hey gave her wonderful care. On her behalf, we the family thank you for your compassion and care. She will be deeply missed. Especially we want to thank the Lord for His care at the end of her life.
Donations of remembrance can be made to the Center of Hope or to the Evergreen Hospice.

Edward Morgan

Edward A. Morgan 79 died on June 24, 2009

Ed was born in Colorado and moved to Anacortes at age 10. In 1948 he left and went to Business College in Everett and started working at Boeing in 1950. He retired from Boeing in 1988 and enjoyed 21 years of retirement filled with traveling and fun with his wife Sue and his many friends. Ed also loved the years they spent in Arizona and the warm weather. Ed is survived by his wife Susan and his daughter Lisa (Eric) Fotherby and his 2 grandchildren Nolan and Hannah and a brother Ray and sister Geraldine. His daughter Mindy preceded him in death in 1985.
Ed’s wife Susan would like to thank Evergreen Hospice for all their tender care and request any gifts be given in Ed’s memory to Evergreen Hospice or United Methodist Church in Coupeville.
A memorial service will be held on July 25th at 3:00 pm at the United Methodist Church in Coupeville.