West Seattle, Washington
24 Sunday
A memorial service is planned this Saturday at Providence Mount St. Vincent for Hugh P. Wallace, whose family shares this remembrance:
Hugh Patrick Wallace passed away peacefully September 22, 2013, with his family by his side, at the age of 91.
He was born in Seattle January 29, 1922, to Michael Wallace and Bridget Curran. Hugh married the love of his life, Betty June Thorburn, January 30, 1943, and shortly thereafter joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in the 4th Division, where he fought in the Central and South Pacific and survived the Battle of Iwo Jima.
After serving his country, Hugh returned to Seattle, where he remained active with the American Legion and served as a Commander of American Legion Post 160 and VFW Post 2713. He worked in construction as a heavy-equipment operator until his retirement.
A funeral Mass is planned at Holy Family this Wednesday morning for 84-year-old Theodore (Ted) John Wiese:
Ted went home to the Lord 9-19-13 at the age of 84. Born in Woodburn, OR in 1929, he married Doris Marie Prinslow on October 2, 1954, after being honorably discharged as a corporal from the Marine Corps and attending OSU. He retired from The Boeing Company after 26 years and was ordained to the Diaconate, serving the Archdiocese of Seattle for the past 24 years at Holy Family Parish, White Center.
He is survived by his wife Doris, sister Jeanette Moore, his children Connie (Richard) Sanders, Larry Wiese, Greg Wiese, Julie (Bruce) Hanson, Lisa (Karl) Hansen, Tom (Wendy) Wiese, Margaret (Jeff Haack) Wiese, and Paul Wiese, 10 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. Mass of the Christian Burial will be at Holy Family Church, Seattle at 11:00 am September 25. To leave an online condolence, please visit Yaringtons.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ted’s memory to Catholic Community Services or Holy Family Parish.
(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
Karol Fern Sample, gone too soon at age 44, will be remembered with a celebration of life this Sunday. Brad Johnson asked us to share the invitation, which includes some information about her life:
(The celebration is planned) on the lawn just outside Colman Pool in West Seattle this Sunday, 9/8, at 2 o’clock, right after the last noon swim of the outdoor season, where fellow swimmers and others … are asked to make arrangements so that you can join us as we celebrate the life of our dear and recently departed Karol Fern Sample, who, after two courageous years of fighting cancer, moved out into the universe to spread her fairy dust, positive energy, and bigger-than-life smile this past Monday morning, September 2nd.
The idea is for this to be a potluck where we share food, but more importantly to share in the warmth of community with hugs and remembrances of Karol’s short but vital, vibrant life. This near fixture of Lincoln Park, dressed typically in a white or green wool hat with ear flaps, either rode her classic bike or walked daily around the paths surrounding this park and pool, her second home, where she could also keep watch over any stranded seal pups or orcas magically appearing out in the sound. But what many didn’t know was that this very creative, bright shining star was a gifted and highly talented visual artist, a painter.
A memorial is planned Saturday (August 24th) to remember Don Lenning, a lifelong West Seattle resident who died this week at age 66. Here’s a remembrance shared by his family:
Donald Gene Lenning
December 4, 1946 – August 19, 2013
Don graduated from West Seattle High School in 1965 and remained a lifelong resident of West Seattle. He was a University of Washington Graduate and served his country honorably in the Vietnam War.
Don is survived by his wife Kris and daughter Alexa. He is also survived by three sisters, Audrey Anderson, Margaret Norberg, and Loretta Kirby, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Don fought a long and courageous battle against cancer; he recently led his Sundancers team at the West Seattle Relay for Life event.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to his caregivers including Dr. Milder and the Swedish Medical Center staff. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society
There will be a Celebration of Life Saturday, August 24, 2013 at 2:00 pm at the West Seattle Golf Course. Don was an avid golfer.
(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
That’s Larry Keller, the 62-year-old man killed in The Junction last Friday morning when his motorcycle collided with an SUV. Police have not yet released findings in the investigation. But Mr. Keller’s family wanted to thank the community for its condolences, and to “reach out to the driver of the SUV and let him know that we are grieving for him as well as my brother.” That driver was not seriously hurt. Meantime, near the California/Oregon crash site, there is a simple tribute to Mr. Keller:
His sister Lori told us about her brother: Lawrence John Keller was born September 8th, 1950, and grew up in West Seattle, graduating from WSHS. He was a real “people person,” Lori says, known for his loud, contagious laugh. He was a motorcycle and muscle-car enthusiast – the motorcycle he’s on in the photo above is not the one he was riding at the time of Friday’s crash; it was one of several that he owned, including vintage models. He worked in construction and general labor for most of his life. He is survived by sister Lorene Sutherland of Kent and nieces Misty E. Roberts of Issaquah and Camille E. Sutherland of Kent. Memorial plans are not yet finalized.
Dorothy Olding lived to just five months shy of 100 years old, and her family wants to be sure those who know her have heard the news:
Dorothy Mae Olding
December 22, 1913 – July 24, 2013Dorothy grew up in West Seattle and graduated from West Seattle High School in 1932. She is preceded in death by husband, Elmer “Shorty” Olding and son, Terry Olding (WSHS ’71). She is survived by her children, James (Carol) Olding (WSHS ’54), Donna (Dick) Bennett (WSHS ’55) and Sally Renee (WSHS ’63). She is also survived by 11 grandchildren (including Scott Davis – WSHS ’76, Ron Davis – WSHS ’78 and Jacki (Davis) Equall – WSHS ’79), 17 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren with another on the way.
At Ms. Olding’s request, there will be no service.
Family and friends have said goodbye to Vicky McKim, and are sharing this remembrance:
Victoria Lynn Kaiser McKim
October 30, 1947 – July 6, 2013Vicky went home into the loving arms of her Savior Jesus after courageously fighting mesothelioma. Her steadfast faith sustained her throughout her treatment and she was a willing witness for Christ.
Vicky was born and raised in Springfield, Ohio, the oldest of five daughters, to Roger and Joan Kaiser. She was active in vocal and dramatic activities, both in and outside of school. She graduated with a BS in Education from Otterbein College and taught elementary school in New Albany and Harrisburg, Ohio, and then regularly substitute-taught in several parochial schools, primarily at Hope Lutheran School in Seattle.
Vicky and Ken, founding owner of Greentree Animal Hospital in West Seattle, began “going steady” in high school, a love affair that continued for more than 50 years.
Relatives and friends will gather this Friday afternoon to celebrate the life of John Picinich. Here’s the remembrance shared by his family:
John Antonio Picinich, 76, passed into eternity on Friday, July 5, in Susak, Croatia. He was born in Susak, Croatia, on September 14, 1936, to the late Antonio and Gaudenzia Picinich. John was a longtime resident of and business owner in West Seattle. He is survived by his wife of 3 years, Debra Kohler of FL; previous wife Rita Michelotti, of West Seattle, and his children, Marina (Matt) Bovenkamp, Gina (Steve) Evans, Nello (Michelle) Picinich; 10 grandchildren (Micah, Ariana, Rebekah & Siena Bovenkamp; Rachel & Hannah Fox; Benjamin, Landon, Maia & Amelia Picinich), and siblings Tony Picinich and Karmela Kurilic.
John was a loving father and husband. He enjoyed his work and had a passion for boating. He loved his homeland of Susak. He was a friend to all and loved by many. His charismatic personality will be missed.
An open-house celebration of his life will be held on Friday, July 12, from 3-5 pm at Hope Lutheran Church, 4456 42nd Ave SW.
(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
A memorial service is planned August 2nd for Susan Fortney, whose family shares this remembrance:
Susan Theresa Fortney, 64, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, on June 22, 2013.
Susie was born in Wallace, Idaho, on April 3, 1949 and moved to West Seattle at the age of 2- she was a lifelong resident of the West Seattle area, attending Cooper Elementary, Boren Middle School, then graduating from Chief Sealth High School in 1968. She continued on to receive an associate’s degree to become a nurse from Skagit Valley Community College.
Susie was a nurse, in heart and profession, at Valley Medical Center for several years, and then went to work for a law firm, working as a office manager until her full-time retirement in 2011.
The family of Linnea Long, gone too soon at 60, shares this remembrance with the community:
On May 9, 2013, Linnea opened the door to yesterday, walked through, and the door closed behind her.
Linnea was born in Inglewood, California, in December 1952, to a WWII veteran father and a mother who was often mistaken for Doris Day. She was the middle child in a family of two girls and a boy. Linnea grew up in the South Bay of Los Angeles and loved to ride her bike along the Strand. When she moved north with her husband David Benton in the 1980s, they eventually settled in Alki, after a short stay on 38th Ave SW east of Jefferson Square.
Linnea would often jog along the beach, quickly becoming a nodding acquaintance of many. She would ride her bike to the Water Taxi and then to work. At lunch she would ride up to Interbay and after work, ride home along Alki.
Linnea was a strong and protective mom who made sure that her son Erik knew he was both wanted and loved. Erik attended Schmitz Park, Explorer West, and Seattle Lutheran High School before he moved onto Western Washington University. Many may know her as “Erik’s Mom,” Linnea was also a steadfast friend to many over the years and she was both loyal and supportive. Linnea helped sponsor and serve on the Cormorant Cove and Constellation Park Steering Committees, and encouraged her family to do so as well. Linnea loved living in Alki, and named the house “Close Enough,” meaning that it was close enough to a beach for her and her family. Many beaches she enjoyed in addition to Alki were Manhattan Beach, Newport Beach, and Cannon Beach.
After her family, at the heart of Linnea’s life were books; whether seated on a kitchen stool or relaxing in a beach chair, Linnea would read. After becoming a “recovering attorney” after many years employed in private practice and at Time Oil as corporate counsel, she went back to the UW and obtained a second graduate degree in Information Sciences and reincarnated her second career as a Special Librarian while still remaining a member of the Bar. She joined Avvo in early 2007 and served as Content Acquisition Manager, helping the company grow to become the leading web-based source for information about legal matters and lawyer qualifications.
Linnea continued working while her cancer spread, determined not to be a victim, but to keep on being a mom to Erik and wife to David. Her family and her good friend Laurie D’Allesandro aided her in her fight. She managed the struggle until early May 2013. She is survived by her husband, her son, her brother, John Long, and her sister Colleen Campbell.
There will be no formal religious service, and in lieu of flowers, her family asks that donations in her name be made to the Global Resource for Advancing Cancer Education at cancergrace.org/about-us
The family of Erny Smith shares a simple remembrance:
Erny Smith, December 24, 1936 – May 11, 2013
Longtime West Seattle resident Erny Ulvestad Smith, 76, passed away on May 11th, surrounded by family after a year-long struggle with cancer.
He is missed by Carole and children Stefanie, Lorrie, Lance and their families. Also survived by one brother, four sisters, numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents and brother Joe.
At his request there will be no service. Family will gather for a celebration of Erny’s life at a later date.
Gwendolyn Schwenzer clearly lived a full life over her 94 years. Even if you never met her, this remembrance shared by her family is proof:
Gwendolyn (Hill) Schwenzer
1918-2013
Beloved Mother, Nana, Great Nana and Great–Great Nana.Gwen was born in Seattle on Dec 6, 1918, graduated West Seattle High School in 1937, married Herb (Fritz) Schwenzer when she was just 18, and had 4 kids throughout the years: Sharon, Diane, Fritz, and Vicki.
In 1944, Gwen went to work at Boeing as an original “Rosie the Riveter,” working on the B-29s as part of the World War II effort. She also worked at the Hideaway Tavern in White Center.
In 1979, Herb passed away, leaving a void in Gwen’s life, and that was when she joined the Eagles Clowns and became “Bubbles the Clown,” allowing her to make others happy with her great sense of humor.
Volunteering at Mount St. Vincent for 13 years earned her a warm welcome when it was time for her to move into the assisted-living area, where she is pictured on their brochure and passed away on May 8, 2013.
She will be missed by all who knew her.
That certainly will include the fellow “Rosies” with whom she was featured in this 2009 WSB story.
Fourteen months ago, we introduced you to a West Seattle centenarian named Ina Mann, with whom we spoke along with three generations of her family, visiting her one day at Arbor Heights Adult Family Home (now a WSB sponsor). We just learned from Ms. Mann’s family that she has passed away. They are sharing this remembrance, along with photos (above, Ms. Mann on her 100th birthday with five of her seven granddaughters):
Alexandrina ‘Ina’ Mann * December 21, 1907 – April 19, 2013
Longtime West Seattle resident Ina Mann went to her eternal home, with Jesus, on Friday, April 19, 2013, after a long life of 105 years. Ina was born outside London, England, to Albert and Louise Whitehead. She crossed the Atlantic on a ship at age 4 with her parents and 2 younger brothers, Walter and Albert. The family settled in West Seattle where her father built the family home on 46th and Findlay. She attended Jefferson Elementary, Madison Junior High, and West Seattle High School. After graduation, she worked for several years at Hostess Baking Company.
Her early memories of West Seattle included California Avenue as a dirt road with horses and visiting Luna Park on Alki as a young child. She met her husband, Huntley David Shaw Mann, Sr., while visiting the Swedish Club.
Ina never drove a car, loved gardening and working in her yard. She spent the last seven years under the loving care of Katie Gilliantte and Penny Nemoede and staff at Arbor Heights Adult Family Home.
Ina is survived by her son, Huntley Shaw Mann, Jr., his wife Marlene Hill Mann, 7 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
The family also shared this photo of Ms. Mann and her son, featured in our story last year:
That was taken in 1951.
West Seattle Elementary wants to make sure that everyone who knew teacher Heidi Hudeckova knows about the memorial for her at the school 
this Saturday. Counselor Laura Bermes tells WSB that Heidi died last month, just 50 years old, from a brain aneurysm, adding, “Heidi taught at West Seattle Elementary in the Developmental Preschool Program. Graduated students from that program populate local schools throughout West Seattle. We’re hoping to get the word out so that those who loved Teacher Heidi, and those whose lives she touched can share in this celebration.” Parent Ellen Bremen says of Ms. Hudeckova, “Heidi was an institution there; her years of experience and almost magical intuition of what makes a ‘higher needs’ child thrive changed countless children’s lives, as well as their parents.” The memorial, described as an informal potluck for sharing memories, is planned for 11 am-1 pm Saturday (May 4) at the school, 6860 34th SW.
Family and friends are remembering David Franks, gone too soon at just 61. Here’s the tribute sent to us to share with you:
David A. Franks died unexpectedly March 29 of natural causes, one month short of his 62nd birthday. Though he lived in north Burien, he had lifelong ties to West Seattle. He grew up in the community, first in a house near the steel mill, then in the home his parents owned for more than 40 years on 42nd SW just south of Jefferson Square. Dave was in West Seattle every week, helping support the needs of his parents, and maintaining contact with friends and the families of two nieces who live here.
He was born April 30, 1951, in Seattle, graduated from West Seattle High School, and attended the University of Puget Sound. He had a career with the US Postal Service, where he rose from part-time mail handler to supervisor of the mail processing center at SeaTac Airport.
Dave was close to his large family, and had an extensive circle of friends, many dating to college days. A lifelong bachelor, Dave was a much-loved uncle to two generations of nieces and nephews, with whom he always was generous with time and gifts.
Arlene Wade, instrumental in the creation of the Log House Museum and Duwamish Longhouse, has died at age 69. Here’s the remembrance we’ve received to share with you:
Arlene Hinderlie Wade (1943-2013) passed away on March 25 after a 13-year battle with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.
Arlene grew up in Port Orchard. She was the 1963 Seafair Queen during the ‘Century 21’ Seattle World’s Fair.
As President of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society in the 1990s, Arlene led the campaign to create the Log House Museum. She insisted on telling the story of the American settlers alongside that the Duwamish people, whose cause she championed for two decades. She shaped “The Spirit Returns” exhibit at the new Log House in 2000, which was the first time the story of the Duwamish and the American settlers was told side by side under one roof.
Paul Dorpat decribed her in his Seattle Then and Now column:
Last Friday, we reported on a death at West Seattle Stadium the day before. Today, we know the man who died at the track was 44-year-old West Seattle resident Donald Markey; we have heard from his wife Leslie Markey, a native West Seattleite (who says old friends from WSHS/Madison/Alki would know her as Leslie Rhodes). She says her husband was in training for the upcoming physical exam to join the Seattle Police Department, and that she is thankful for SPD and Seattle Fire Department medics’ “beyond hope” efforts to save her husband’s life – “an unbelievable effort by our local fire and police.” Here is the remembrance she shared:
Donald Graham Markey, born March 8, 1969 died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 44 of a heart attack, on March 21, 2013. Son of Nancy Graham Markey (deceased) and John Cornelius Markey (deceased) of Charlotte, North Carolina. He is survived by his wife, Leslie C. Markey of Seattle; brother John Cornelius Markey, Jr. of Graham, North Carolina; Aunt and Uncle Steve and Cornelia Robinson of Charlotte, NC; and two beloved cats; Arnold and Abner.
Handsome, humorous, personable, and polite, Donald was smart, highly educated, motivated to be of service to others, and a man of faith. He was baptized a Christian in Anacortes in 2003. He was devoted to seeking a better understanding of God by exploring spirituality so that he could live in the sunlight of the spirit. He shared this journey with his wife. Donald’s relationship with Leslie began in 1999 and they then married in 2007 in Seattle, WA. He was blessed with a faith that worked, and it showed in the way he smiled, talked and loved.
A memorial service is planned Wednesday for 92-year-old Victor Weith, whose family shares the remembrance that he himself wrote:
Victor Paul Weith
April 12, 1920 – March 8, 2013Several years ago, Vic wrote his own obituary:
“Born in Alva, OK, 4/12/1920. Spent next 20 years in Alma, Kansas. Graduated from Alma High School.
Two of my buddies and myself decided to go to Seattle in 1940 to look for better jobs. We worked for Boeing and Bremerton Shipyards. Met my future wife in December 1941; we married in October 1942. I went into the service in February 1943 in the 11th Airborne Division. Spent the war in New Guinea, Leyte, Luzon, Okinawa, and then Japan. Our division was the only Airborne Division that was in the Pacific. Participated in a lot of war in several years.
My wife and I moved to West Seattle in 1945 and still have our home there. I spent most of my working years in sales.
I had several exciting things happen to me. In 1981, as I was getting ready to retire I picked 18 out of 20 Monday Nite NFC football winners, earning my wife and myself a trip to the Super Bowl. Then in 1993, playing golf in La Quinta, California, I had two holes in one on the same day. The odds for that was 67 million to one.
I had a very good life and a wonderful wife. It was great! We had 4 children: Susan Blakely (husband Dick), Michael Weith (deceased), Cathy Kemper (husband Neil), John Weith (wife Patty). Five grandchildren: Brad Herriges (wife Cara), Sean Herriges (wife Miho), Abbey Weith, David Weith, and Ryan Kemper; and three great-grandchildren, Alexis, Andrew, and Nicholas Herriges.”
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday (March 13, 2013) at Holy Family Catholic Church, at 9622 20th Ave SW. Reception following.
A memorial is planned February 23rd on Bainbridge Island for Emily Williamson, known and loved by many in West Seattle, especially for her work at Many Moons Trading Company, gone too soon at age 42. Her family shares this tribute; at the end we’ve added information about an art exhibit in her memory:
Emily Jean Williamson, blithe spirit and treasured daughter, sister, and friend, died on February 13, 2013, after a long battle with cancer.
Emily was born in Seattle on April 28, 1970 to Ron and Ethelyn Williamson. She grew up on Bainbridge Island and graduated from Bainbridge High School in 1988. In 1992 she graduated from Evergreen State College.
After graduation she moved to Seattle and worked in a variety of jobs from being a bike messenger to taking care of children at a day care center in downtown Seattle. She also founded Fuzzy Caterpillar, a party-planning service for children’s events. And after she moved to West Seattle, she became a favorite with customers at Many Moons Trading Co. where she displayed a talent for matching people with just the right outfit. But most notably Emily will be remembered for creative energy and her whimsical paintings created seemingly effortlessly and featuring flowers, birds, and a variety of inscrutable owls.
Emily was preceded in death by her father Ron Williamson and is survived by her mother Ethelyn Williamson, her sister Jennifer, her brother David, nephew Grant Forster, niece Lauren Forster, her kind and caring housemates in West Seattle, and myriad friends.
There will be a Memorial Service at Islandwood on Bainbridge Island on Saturday, February 23, at 1 pm. Shuttles will be available for those on the 11:25 am ferry from Seattle. Look for the daffodils. Donations may be made to Arms Around Bainbridge at www.armsaroundbainbridge.com.
Also in Emily’s memory, Mind Unwind in West Seattle is putting together an exhibit of her art for next month at their upstairs Treehouse Lounge, and asking those who have some of Emily’s work to loan it for the show. We stopped by during West Seattle Art Walk last night to see what’s already been dropped off – including this:
You’re invited to include a story about Emily with the artwork dropped off 5-midnight Wednesday through Sunday till month’s end; 2206 California SW. The exhibit will be spotlighted there during next month’s WS Art Walk (March 14), too, and artwork will be returned to its owners in April.
This remembrance of Gene Nokes by his son Don isn’t “just” an obituary … it’s a story about a man, his life and times and memories. He’s gone but clearly will never be forgotten:
Earl Eugene “Gene” Nokes Sr. passed away peacefully at Providence Mount St. Vincent on February 2, 2013.
Gene was the last of his ten other brothers and sisters to check out of Nokesville, which at its inception was a large army tent located on the corner of 48th SW and Hanford St. He and his wife Margie both moved into the Mount facility back in 2000. Margie passed away in September of 2001 and after a brief hiatus, Gene and Margie will now reunite on the other side of life. Gene lived to be 95 years old and spent more than a decade in a very symbiotic relationship with his Mount Saint Vincent family and friends – they loved him and he loved them in return.
Gene Nokes Sr. never graduated from anything other than 8th grade, as far as I know. The story Uncle Pat told me about Dad and him and Joe and Tom and West Seattle High School went like this:
The family of longtime educator Manvel “Schauff” Schauffler, a founding board member of Explorer West Middle School among many other achievements, shares this remembrance:
Manvel Schauffler, who taught hundreds of Seattle-area kids history, sailing, camping, cooperation, and the joys of classroom and outdoor learning for more than a decade, passed away on January 8, 2013.
Known to all simply as “Schauff”, he taught at The Bush School in Seattle and also helped found two middle-schools, The Hyla School on Bainbridge island and Explorer West in West Seattle.
He was born in New York City in 1924, and grew up in New Rochelle, New York. His pastimes there were sailing on Long Island Sound, playing ice hockey and other sports, and rooting for the New York Yankees. He once shook hands with Lou Gehrig.
He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II and met his wife, Verna, at Black Mountain College in North Carolina after the war.
(Updated with official memorial date/time/place)
Memorial plans are not yet finalized for West Seattleite Jerry Ceis, who died last week at age 64, but family and friends are remembering him as a spirited soul. 
Among his many friends are two WSB’ers who wanted to make sure Mr. Ceis’s passing would be noted here. So we asked Tim Ceis, Jerry’s brother, for a remembrance:
He was born May 4, 1948 and died on January 9, 2013. He was born in West Seattle to Philip L. and Doris Ceis. His birth mother died when Jerry was 5 and his stepmother was Margaret Ceis, who passed away in May of last year.
He is survived by his brother Tim Ceis, his niece Natalie Ceis, his aunt Winifred Savery and her family, and his Uncle John Yorke and his family.
Jerry lived for the joy of life and adventure; from building his one true love – a 17-foot Ed Monk-designed wood sailboat – at the age of 18, to trying to sail it solo to Hawaii in 1975. He fished in Alaska, sailed wherever a boat, wind, and tide would take him, and lived the life of a pirate – sometimes for Seafair and, in more than a few minds, in real life. Many of us lived out our own adventures by joining him at one time or another, or just by hearing him tell the stories over the years.
Jerry has set his last course, and I believe it is toward the second star on the right and straight on till morning.
As a Seafair Pirate, Jerry Ceis was Captain Kidd in 1984, as shown on this page of the Pirates’ website. We will publish an update when memorial information is announced.
ADDED: Friends are planning at least two gatherings in his honor: 3 pm January 27th at Chelan Café; Christo’s on Alki at 6:30 pm February 5th.
UPDATE: The official memorial for Mr. Ceis is at 1:30 pm Saturday, February 2nd, at the Alki Bathhouse (60th and Alki). A gathering is planned afterward at Christo’s on Alki. (Thank you to Tim Ceis for providing the photo we have added above.)
Family and friends will gather this Saturday in West Seattle to remember Betty June Rinaldo MacWatters, gone at 82:
Betty MacWatters was called home to God on Monday, December 24, 2012 at Manor Care Residence in Tacoma.
Born on January 30, 1930 in Seattle to Dorothy (Kegler) and Del Rinaldo. Her husband Lester MacWatters, son Del MacWatters, and daughter Colleen Vineyard preceded Betty in death. She is survived by daughters Sue Rhoads, Linda (Will) Schneider, and Kathy Estabrook. She was loved and adored by her 13 grandchildren,18 great-grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Betty loved to celebrate family holidays and everyday affairs. She was most at home in the kitchen, cooking her signature pasta and sharing her life through food, music, and stories. She was passionate about expressing her joie de vivre through her colorful ensembles and jewels. She also enjoyed the outdoors, particularly her garden and backyard birds, where she drew inspiration for her landscape paintings and poetry.
Betty was a lifelong resident of West Seattle and a well-known figure in the Junction community, where many knew her as Grandma Betty. She enjoyed her volunteer work at the Cancer Society’s Discovery Shop and all the children she had the privilege of caring for in her 40 years as a day-care-center owner on Southern Street.
Betty’s life and legacy will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at West Seattle Christian Church, 4400 42nd Avenue SW.
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