Browse obituaries: 184 records found

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Gudgell, Marguerite Thursday, 22 Jul 2010

Islands Sounder Eastsound, WA

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She came to Orcas Island on the afternoon boat on a clear day in late summer of 1963. The wife of a school teacher and mother to three children, her arrival would change the lives of countless people for decades to come.
Marguerite Rebecca Asper Gudgell came from a well-known family in Salt Lake City, Utah. In her early years she lived an austere but privileged life. Her father, Frank Asper, was a noted musician and the organist for the Tabernacle organ at the Mormon Temple. When Marguerite moved out of the house and into nursing school, he gave her a warning: don’t marry a jazz musician, especially a trumpet player, and stay away from men who drive convertibles. At the age of 19, Marguerite married Wallace Gudgell on September 7, 1949. Wally, seven years older than Marg, was a jazz musician and a trumpet player who drove a convertible.
In 1963 Wally took a job at Orcas Island’s public school as a music teacher. Marguerite struggled to raise a family – Wally Jr., Mike and Terri – on a $250 a month teacher’s salary. She worked summers as a maid and waited tables until 1967 when she started the first kindergarten on the island at the Episcopal Parish Hall. A job at the elementary school soon followed. During the next 28 years she taught children how to read, write and most of all: how to live. She taught her children and hundreds of others by example – living a life full of love and compassion. Before her retirement in 1992, she was teaching the grandchildren of the five-year-olds from her first years as a teacher.
Marguerite’s life was not always easy, but in times of tragedy or hardship her character led the way for others. Her choices came out of a deep curiosity and respect for life, a love of family and empathy for those around her. She lived with selfless grace and dignity.
When the Gudgell family first arrived there were only a few hundred full-time residents on Orcas Island and fewer “Islanders.”
Millionaires, waitresses, plumbers or road workers were all equals in 1963, but islanders were a special class. It was a designation that did not come from mere time or presence on the island. It was a term used for those who knew how to live life well. To be an islander was to not only appreciate one another and come to the aid of those in need, but to live by example and light the way to a fulfilling life through giving.
Marguerite was an islander.
She passed away on Thursday, July 22, 2010 at her home near Eastsound at the age of 80. Her illness was quick and unexpected, but she left this world in peace. Her quiet but powerful life touched hundreds of children, their children and their children’s children. Respected by her peers and loved by her family and friends, she leaves a legacy that will last an eternity.
Marguerite was modest. She never sought recognition and was embarrassed by the slightest of compliments. It was her wish to not have a public service. “I don’t want a lot of fuss when I go.”
She is survived by her three children: Wally, Mike and Terri. Her grandchildren are Orion, Stephanie, Rebecca, John, Jessica, Chloe, Jo and Robyn. She has one great-grandson, Mason. She is also survived by her sisters Sylvia, Francelle, and brother Frank.
In remembrance of Marguerite’s life please consider donations to the Orcas Island Community Foundation, Children’s House or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., To share memories of Marguerite, sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.

Submitted by Marguerite Gudgell’s family.

LaLiberte, Nicholas Tuesday, 06 Jul 2010

Islands Sounder Eastsound, WA

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Nicholas Clay LaLiberte

May 16, 1996 – July 6, 2010

“Dear Nick, I love you Nick. I still want to play video games with you. Love, William.”
“Life is not fair and I know that now. But I will always miss you no matter what. You will be my favorite big brother. I wish I would be able to tell you this before you died so I am going to tell you that I love you so much. I wanted to see you so bad and I will someday. Crying is painful. Please be with everybody that needs you. It’s going to be hard not crying for awhile. So can you give me good thoughts? I will love you so much. Love, Alisha.”
“My beautiful boy, you will always be, forever in my heart and always by my side. My Nicholas so loved to be free – skateboarding and quad riding, fishing and exploring the world. He loved his family – big brother to William and Alisha. Oh, how he adored you. There was nothing he wouldn’t give or do for you. He loved his father and his father loved him. Our time with you was too short, my precious son. Mommy loves you. Nicholas, you left us in body, but will forever be with us in our hearts.”
Nicholas is survived by his mother, Danielle, his father, Shannon, sister, Alisha and brother William LaLiberte and many, many family and friends.
A memorial service will be held to celebrate Nick’s life on Sunday, August 1 at 1:30 p.m. at the Orcas Island Community Church.
A fund has been set up at Islanders Bank to help the family pay for funeral expenses.

Submitted by Nicholas LaLiberte’s family.

Pomeroy, Wes Friday, 04 Jun 2010

Islands Sounder Eastsound, WA

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Westley (Wes) Pomeroy died peacefully in his home Friday, June 4, 2010. His children, Dana, Gaye, Martha and Mary, son in law’s Adam and Jon, and grandchildren Adelei and Natasha were with him when he passed.
Wes was the fifth child of Floyd Pomeroy and Georgia Dukeshire of Eureka MT. He was born January 27, 1924, in Auburn, WA. Wes attended a one room school house in his early childhood along with his eight siblings.
Wes graduated from Lincoln County High, Eureka, MT in 1943. Afterwards he joined the Army Air Corp and was based in Hawaii and Japan. He went on to attend Centralia Junior College, and finished his schooling at Central Washington College of Education in Ellensburg, WA. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Masters in Mathematics.
He met his future wife Patricia Saling while attending Central Washington; they married in Yakima on September 6, 1952. Wes and Pat raised four daughters: Dana, Gaye, Martha and Mary.
Wes and his family moved to Orcas Island in 1963 where he taught for the Orcas School District. During his years of teaching he was involved in coaching of multiple sports, advising of student groups, and support of many other extracurricular student activities.
Since his retirement in 1985, Wes has been involved in many community activities, including Orcas Lions Club, Orcas Artworks, and the Westsound Water District. Recently he especially enjoyed being active in the Orcas Senior Center and the Orcas Island Community Church. Wes worked with wood all his life, and during his time on Orcas crafted many projects for both public and private use.
Wes was preceded in death by his wife Patricia Pomeroy, and by six of his eight siblings. He is survived by his daughters Dana (Dan) Speece and their sons Ian and Kyle, Gaye (Jon) DeRoost, Martha (Adam) Warachowski and their daughters Adelei and Natasha, and Mary Baxter. He is also survived by two brothers with their wives, Theodore (Betty) and Caleb (Shirley), numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.
A memorial service will be held on July 11, 2010, at 1 p.m. at the Orcas Island Community Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that remembrances be made to the charity of your choice.

Mary , Morrell Wednesday, 02 Jun 2010

Islands Sounder Eastsound, WA

Mary E. Morrell passed away June 2, 2010. She was born in Walker, Minnesota on July 1, 1936. The family moved to Orcas when she was a young girl. After graduating from school she went to work for Dunn and Bradstreet in Seattle. She retired as a credit reporter. She was very involved with the Ballard Eagles. Mary was preceded in death by her father John Resch, mother Dorothy Kimple Wynne, husband (Dutch) Peter Morrell, brothers Jim Resch, Dick Resch, and stepson Allan Morrell. She is survived by brothers Dave (wife Patty Resch), Bob (wife Sue Kimple), Dan Kimple, sister Linda (husband Mike Griffith), also stepchildren Lynn Morrell, Lorrie Marshall, Leigh Morrell, Layne (husband Steve Morgan). Mary also leaves 13 grandchildren, eight grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A family and friends gathering will be held on Orcas at a later date. Mary\'s ashes will be lovingly scattered off of the coast of the island of Maui, Hawaii, where she desired to join her husband, Dutch.
In memory of Mary, give someone you love a hug.

Lister, Margaret Saturday, 15 May 2010

Islands Sounder Eastsound, WA

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Mardi Lister, long time Orcas resident, passed away on May 15, 2010, in Castle Rock Colorado. Through patronage and participation Mardi had devoted herself to art and beauty; she had been a member of the Textile guild, the Orcas Palettes, Garden club, and a founding member of the Orcas Artworks cooperative. Mardi had also been a member of the Orcas Choral Society, and the Emmanuel Parish Choir.
She was predeceased by her husband of 33 years, Col. Roderick Latimer Lister, in 1981, and a son, Roderick Baird Lister, in 2008.
Born August 20, 1923 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Margaret Anne Baird was raised on the Canadian prairie during the Great Depression and bore the hallmarks of the Greatest Generation. Suppressing an artistic avidity perhaps, Mardi was enrolled in the School of Home economics at the University of Manitoba where she received a Baccalaureate degree, and was a Pi Beta Phi sister. She earned a Masters degree in nutrition and dietetics from the University of Minnesota. Many have been regaled by Mardi’s tale of preparing 300 turkeys while in the service of a tuberculosis sanatorium in the 1940’s.
It was at Minnesota that Mardi, piano accompanist, met “Roddie” Lister, choral Tenor, collegiate wrestler and footballer. The couple was married on June 29, 1947 in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
During Rod’s service in the U.S. Army Medical Corps., five children were produced: Jennifer, Baird, Martha, Moira, and Ian at postings in Denver, Honolulu, Washington D.C., Hamburg, and Tacoma. In 1965, retiring from the military, Rod entered private practice in Denver, Colorado. While music had always permeated the household, Mardi began to have a little bit of time to devote to painting, and other expressions of beauty: at one point Mardi’s house in Colorado contained hundreds of champion African Violet plants, and glowed an eerie grow light color.
In 1979, the couple bought a house on Orcas Island and moved here in 1980 together. Rod died less than two years later. Widowhood afforded Mardi the opportunity to follow her own bliss: she traveled; she spent her time with knitting, weaving, music and painting; with beauty. She was an artist.
Margaret is survived by two great grandchildren, 13 grandchildren, four children, her sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Jones of Lethbridge, and several Canadian cousins. A memorial service and interment will be held on Orcas Island at the Emmanuel Parish Church on July 20 at 1 p.m.

Goss, Hildegarde Tuesday, 11 May 2010

Islands Sounder Eastsound, WA

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On Tuesday, May 11, 2010, Hildegarde Goss, 93, died of natural causes at Hamlet House on Lopez Island.
She is survived by her nieces, Christine Dahl-Sesby of Friday Harbor, Patricia Topper of Emmitsburg, Md., and her nephew, Derek Valley of Olympia. She was predeceased by her husband of more than 60 years, William Goss; her sister, Lillie Ericson; and her brother, Bertil Valley.
Hildegarde engaged a large community of friends with her art, activism, love of learning, and her passion for color and colorful people. She will long be remembered for her love of animals, a frequent theme in her paintings.
Amy Hildegard Valley was born Sept. 3, 1916 in Los Angeles, Calif. to Swedish emigrant parents. As a child, she traveled between Hollywood and the family farm in Sweden. Later, she lived there for five years attending boarding school.
For four years, Hildegard was personal masseuse to Sonja Henie, the Olympic ice skater and actress. During this time in Hollywood, she began her lifelong involvement in art classes.
She was treasured as a mentor, teacher, guide, auxiliary parent and intimate friend.
She will be missed for her formidable and colorful presence, including her purple hats and sunrise-colored clothing. We can rest assured that, by now, she has rendered heaven a more colorful place.
All are welcome to attend the memorial on Sunday, June 13 at 5 p.m. at Lopez Community Center.
Contributions in remembrance of Hildegarde can be made to Lopez Housing Options, P.O. Box 785, Lopez, WA. 98261.

Submitted by the family of Hildegarde Goss. Photo by Summer Moon Scriver.

Brown, Dan Friday, 07 May 2010

Islands Sounder Eastsound, WA

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On May 7, 2010, Danny Lee Brown went home to be with his Lord. Born May 1, 1956, Danny grew up in Wenatchee, Wash., settled in Puyallup, followed work to California, and later returned to live on Orcas Island.
A retired Hombre, Danny is survived by his loving wife Dee Dee, daughter Mandy, sons Ryan and Danny, granddaughter Isabella, mother Toni and brother Ken. Renowned Harley expert mechanic and skilled craftsman, Danny will be remembered especially for his love for Jesus, his family, and all things Harley Davidson. Hardworking and generous, Danny will be missed by all who knew him.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 2 p.m. at Orcas Island Community Church. A reception will follow at Orcas Christian School.
Memorials can be sent to the Helping Hands Fund at Orcas Island Community Church or the Orcas Christian School Scholarship fund.

Hendrick, Hugh Wednesday, 28 Apr 2010

Islands Sounder Eastsound, WA

Hugh Hendrick, with his memorable bushy eyebrows, died of a heart attack April 28. Hugh kept his kind and generous heart beating for several years beyond the predictions of the medical community to enrich the lives of his wife Andrea, two daughters, Wendy and Erica, their husbands, Andy and Terry, the grandchildren Elizabeth, James, Kelsey and Caleb and his sister, Josephine.
Hugh was born in Long Beach, Calif. in 1933, graduated from Georgetown University with graduate work at Georgetown School of Foreign Service and the University of Washington School of Business. Andrea and Hugh married in 1954 and following Army service in Germany settled in Seattle. Hugh worked with the giant early computers at Boeing, then moved to San Francisco and Palo Alto as a Management Consultant with Coopers and Lybrand and later as E.D.P. Director for Syntex Corporation and other companies before retiring to Orcas Island in 1999.
Hugh loved the island and became active in the Rosario Property Owners Association, the Orcas Center, Library and, reflecting his deep connection to classical music, the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival.
Andrea thanks everyone on this amazing island for making the last 11 years among the happiest of their 55 magical years together.
Hugh would have requested that any donations be sent to the Orcas Family Health Center.
Submitted by Hugh Hendrick\'s family.

Sare, Hollie Ann Friday, 16 Apr 2010

Islands Sounder Eastsound, WA

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Our precious daughter, Hollie Ann Sare of Eastsound, Wa. died on April 16, 2010 at the age of 22.
Hollie was born September 8, 1987 in Stockton, Calif. and relocated to Sheridan, Wyo. at the age of three, where she lived for 10 years. In Sheridan she attended Holy Name Catholic School, belonged to the Youth Choral Society, and performed in the production of “Guys and Dolls,” loved basketball, volleyball, baseball, horseback riding, camping and fishing. At 13 the family moved to Washington, finding home on Orcas Island. Hollie attended Orcas Island Public School through the 11th grade; her passion was sports and friends. She was active in the Community Youth Christian Group, St. Francis Catholic Church and choir. She belonged to the Lady Vikings Volleyball, Basketball and Softball teams. She continued her passion in basketball, playing with the Evergreen Express traveling the west coast and with the Redmond Mustangs her senior year. Hollie accepted a basketball scholarship and played for Shoreline College.
Hollie is preceded in death by her grandparents, Agnes and William Myers, uncles, Scott and Kevin Myers and John Hursh.
Hollie is survived by her parents Jaye and Vicki Sare of Eastsound, Wash., her siblings Sara (Jake) Phillips of Sheridan, Wyo. Teresa (Lamin) Ceesay of Lynnwood, Wash., Andrew (Katie) Wallenkamp of Sheridan, Wyo. and Spencer and Samuel Sare of Eastsound, Wash., grandparents, Shirley Sare of Eastsound, Wash. and Keith (Jo) Sare of Sheridan, Wyo., three nieces, Lennon, Aliyah and Lisa, and three nephews, Lukas, Weston and James.
Funeral Services were held at St. Francis Catholic Church with the help of Evans Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life reception was held at the Orcas Center.
Hollie’s bright energy will inspire all the hearts she’s touched.

Submitted by Hollie Sare\'s family.

Gaylard, Joyce Saturday, 06 Mar 2010

Islands Sounder Eastsound, WA

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Joyce Christine Morrill Gaylard, beloved mother and wife, went home to be with her Lord.
Joyce “Tiss” was born to Calvin Clare Morrill and Betty Mae Blanchard-Tate on Nov. 11, 1948 in her maternal great-grandparents’ home off of Sutton Road in Friday Harbor. She passed away March 6, 2010 after a long illness.
She was one of eight children raised on San Juan Island and continued to keep her home on the island that she loved so deeply. She married Herbert W. Hammond in 1971 and had three children, Herbert, Susan and Ryan. She married Edmond Gaylard in 1992 and with him and his four children, Anja, Kristine, Heidi and Sonja, rounded out their home.
She raised their children with love in a home of laughter. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, the laughter of her children, and later that of her many grandchildren. She had a green thumb, was very creative, energetic and carried a delightfully wicked sense of humor. She was known for her exceptional cooking and often filled her home with friends and family centered around her superb meals. She accepted everyone for who they were and welcomed everyone with open arms, heart and home. She was a passionate advocate for those who were less fortunate.
The love she brought to her family and friends is irreplaceable. We miss you deeply.
She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Herbert W Hammond; son, Bruce Ryan Hammond; and sister, Carly Morrill Burton.
She leaves behind her husband, Edmond; children, Susan Smith (Daryl) and Herbert Hammond; stepchildren, Anja Lewis (John), Kristine Klampton (Wilem), Heidi Busby (Joe), Sonja Ferris (Mike); many grandchildren; six siblings, Calvin Morrill, Sharon James (Bryon), Gerald Morrill (Bobbie), Daniel Morrill, Tina Martin, Rita Grossarth (David); and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral will be held at San Juan Valley Cemetery at 2 p.m. on March 20.

Submitted by the family of Joyce Christine Morrill Gaylard.

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