Family and friends are remembering Roger Steiner, and sharing this with his community:

Born February 7, 1969, Pocatello, Idaho
Died March 16, 2022, Seattle, age 53
Parents: Gene and Sharon Steiner of Ketchum, Idaho
Husband: Joel Williams of Seattle
Cause of death: Unexpected sudden death in epilepsy

Roger and Joel were together 21 years. The officialdom of their relationship followed the path of same-sex marriage in this state/country. They became Washington State domestic partners in 2007, and when the referendum passed for marriage in this state, the law stipulated that their partnership would roll over into marriage in 2014, which it did. Of course, the US Supreme Court also added their imprimatur somewhere in there as well.

Roger attended schools in Ketchum and Hailey, Idaho, and then switched to The Community School in Sun Valley, Idaho, where he graduated in 1987. He attended Whitman College, graduating in 1991 with a major in history.

Roger’s hometown Ketchum is a unique place, beloved to so many. Roger went to Ernest Hemingway Elementary School. Roger’s brother Eric’s grave is a very few steps away from the Hemingway grave. Growing up in Ketchum is the kind of experience parents dream of giving their children – a closeness to nature that fostered a great love of the outdoors. Roger could hike around the mountains just above the house he grew up in and name the flora and fauna, but he was no match in that sport to his mother Sharon. Ketchum is a tight-knit small town where he knew other people well and where other people knew him, and where bonds of friendship cross generations. Anyone who walked down a Ketchum sidewalk with Roger, even long after he had moved away, would know that there were slim chances of getting more than half a block without running into a longtime friend or acquaintance and stopping for a chat.

Gene owned Chateau Drug in Ketchum, and was the pharmacist there. Roger got a long-lasting “family internship” in running a business, growing up partially in the store. The lessons, the practices he learned there infused his whole life. You have never known such a beloved drugstore, and it modeled the practice of Roger’s future real-estate business – authentic kindness and consideration for other people, meticulous note-keeping, the immediate comfort and safekeeping for the needs of others that he conveyed.

Roger grew up on skis in the winter, wandering around trails and rivers in the summer. His father is a gifted fly fisherman, and Roger learned from the best. He loved to join his father on the streams and lakes and loved to share fishing with others.

In his time spent indoors, Roger grew up loving and playing music and was a good violinist, playing on the instrument his grandfather brought with him when he emigrated from Switzerland. He wrote songs and brightened many gatherings with his playing and singing.

Like his school’s namesake, Hemingway, Roger also loved books and was a lifelong writer, keeping journals, writing restaurant reviews for a Seattle local paper, taking writing classes, and always thinking of ways to share his experiences through literary expression. His writing was sharp, compassionate, and funny, and it left an impression.

After college, he spent time in Ketchum teaching drama at the Community School. He moved to Boise after a short while, worked in restaurants, and, most important of all, continued to grow up with the loving all-but-blood family he found there, friends who are dear and close to this day.

Roger moved to Seattle in 2000. He and Joel met before he even moved here, and were friendly acquaintances until love blossomed in 2001. They lived through experiences like 9/11 and the pandemic together, but also supported one another strongly through career ups and downs and changes, through difficulties with Roger’s epilepsy, and also many long years of being seizure-free. The idea that this condition could lead to this outcome was not a concept for them.

In 2004, they moved to their home in West Seattle, and right around that time, Roger transitioned into the life of a real estate agent and built his business almost entirely from word-of-mouth. His friends referred clients and many of his clients became friends. Their lives together became a kind of Ketchum-on-Puget Sound.

Roger was always physically active, appreciating Seattle on a bike, often walking in Lincoln Park, always up for a group exercise class where he inevitably found friendship and fellowship. Two weeks before his death, Roger skied the entire vertical drop of Bald Mountain at Sun Valley a few times, drew new friends into the loving atmosphere of his childhood home and hometown, and returned to Seattle to help his clients get into and out of the real-estate market with grace and expertise. He will be forever in our hearts, but his physical absence is a void that is very difficult to face.

Celebrations of life will occur in Seattle and Ketchum this summer, dates to be determined.

Roger cared about many people and places. If you are looking for a place to make a memorial donation, consider the Idaho Conservation League, the Seattle YMCA Social Impact Center, and the OutRight Action International LGBTIQ Fund.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Thanks to the reader who sent the link to this remembrance announcing the death of Dr. Susanne Gee, a longtime West Seattle dermatologist who had moved to New Mexico in her retirement. Dr. Gee died this week, not long after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. In addition to her practice, she also was active in the local community over years of involvement with the Rotary Club of West Seattle. Dr. Gee’s memorial is set for April 4th at Sunset Hills Funeral Home in Bellevue.

Family and friends will gather March 25th for a Funeral Mass in memory of Dorothy Neal. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing now:

Dorothy Neal joined her husband Jim and son Jimmy in heaven on February 25th, leaving behind a legacy of love.

She was born on June 9, 1924, to Louis Joseph and Hannah Murdoch Blanchard in Seattle. She was raised in South Park, the 9th of 10 children. A fondness of dancing the Jitterbug and Swing attracted her to the “best dancer in Ballard,” Jim Neal, and the two married in 1944. The family moved to Vashon in May 1951 and spent many happy years grilling salmon, singing around the fire, reading stories, and dancing. She worked as a librarian for the Vashon Island School District and she received her BA from CWU in 1984. Along with skiing, jogging, and boating, Dorothy was a gifted artist, seamstress, and puppeteer; and crafted over 250 marionettes for her traveling show, “The Theater of the Little People.” The show went on tour in Washington and BC.

The passing of her son Jimmy and suffering from breast cancer were two tribulations that had a huge effect on Dorothy but attested to her tenacity, faith, and spirit. She spent her later years working for daughter Shelley at her preschool and was known for her loving presence, hand-painted cookies, and the way she made each child feel special and loved. She was called Grandma Dorothy by all.

She lives on through her family, students, and friends whom she affected greatly with her positivity and living life to its fullest. Dorothy leaves behind her sister Irene Dufort, her five children Kathy Winge (Carl), Joe Neal, Diane Kukull (Walter), Teresa Walsh (John), Shelley Neal (Ralph), 18 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great-grandchildren. There will be a Rosary said Thursday, March 24th at 7 pm at the Island Funeral Service and a Funeral Mass celebrated by Rev. David Mayovsky at St. John Vianney, Friday, March 25th at 11 am. A luncheon will follow. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Seattle Saturday morning. Remembrances in Dorothy’s name can be sent to Providence Mt. St. Vincent Foundation, where she was lovingly cared for the last years of her life, 4831 35th Ave SW, Seattle 98126.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends are remembering Yvette A. Laughlin, and sharing this remembrance with her community:

Yvette Anna Laughlin passed away peacefully on February 24 with her daughters by her side, holding her hands.

Yvette was born March 27, 1938, near Poitiers, France, the oldest of five siblings. She grew up on a small farm in the French countryside, and in 1961, she married and moved to Seattle with her husband and first child. She lived in West Seattle the remainder of her life.

She was French through and through but was also fiercely proud to be a naturalized citizen of the United States. She never missed a voting day and instilled in her children a duty to vote as well.

She was beautiful, outgoing, and she never met a stranger. She loved young people and stayed younger by hanging out with them. She was always willing to lend a hand to help anyone that needed assistance and supported many causes to help those less fortunate, people and animals alike. Her faith in God sustained her through many difficult times.

Her love of gardening was always on display every spring and summer when neighbors would stop by her yard just to see what was new that year.

She is survived by her children Betty Laughlin (Pierre LaRochelle), Steve Laughlin (Suzanne Nielsen), and Michelle Laughlin, and by her siblings, Andre Maillochot (Simone), Bernard Maillochot, Michelle Maillochot, and Remy Maillochot, as well as nieces and nephews in France.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends are remembering Dr. Allen Watts, and sharing this remembrance with his community:

Dr. Allen Watts
November 17, 1923 – March 4, 2022

Few people have touched as many lives in West Seattle as Allen J. Watts. “Al” to his friends. “Doc Watts” to his generations of dental patients. Born in 1923 in rural Minnesota, he grew up without electricity or running water, and was instilled with a work ethic that he carried throughout his 98 years.

When he was 5 years old, Al started helping his father milk their 14 cows twice a day. They relied on their horses for plowing their field because they couldn’t afford a tractor, and they fed their family all year long with what they raised on their land.
He recalled one time when they couldn’t afford to pay their full property tax bill and his father borrowed $8 from the bank to make up the difference.

After serving in the Navy during World War Two, he graduated from dental school and decided to settle in Seattle. He began his practice in White Center and then opened his own dental office in West Seattle where he served the community for 39 years. The brick office he built near the VFW Hall on Alaska Street is still in use today.

Al Watts also left his mark with considerable community service, starting as a volunteer at the nearby YMCA and later as a board member and chairman of the building committee for 18 years. He led the $5 million effort to build the structure that currently houses the West Seattle Y. And Dr. Watts was often the one who quietly did the repairs on the building.

He was one of the founders of the West Seattle Helpline, which continues to offer emergency aid to the needy. Al was also a Boy Scout leader in West Seattle for many years, acting as Scoutmaster to as many as 74 boys at a time. Another one of his passions was the West Seattle Lions Club, where he served in every leadership role for many decades. In every one of these selfless roles, he was the driving force to get things done and make a difference in other people’s lives.

In 1963 Al and his wife bought property on Maury Island and called it Appleyard Farm. He raised chickens and exotic birds that won prizes at shows all over the country. Some of the species were nearly extinct when he started breeding them and he took great joy in seeing their offspring at shows in the subsequent years. He also had a donkey named Rosie and a pet llama, which were big hits with the neighborhood kids.

Over the years Al raised many varieties of apples, pears, berries, rhododendrons, Japanese maples, sunflowers, prize-wining pumpkins, and corn. One of his other great joys was sharing that bounty with others.

He is survived by his wife of more than 65 years, Muriel, their children Brad, Tim, and Leanne, 7 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren who will never forget him.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends will gather Thursday to remember Colleen Mary Doyle. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing with her community:

Colleen Mary Doyle passed away peacefully at her home on February 15, 2022 with her family by her side.

Colleen was born on April 29th 1945 in Seattle and was the middle of three children. She lived her entire life in Seattle, where she attended Holy Rosary School, met her husband Thomas Walior, and where they raised their four children, Daimon, Joe, Shannon, and Erin.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Walior.

She is survived by her sons Daimon (Olympia, WA), Joe (Seattle), Shannon (Seattle), and her daughter Erin (Seattle).

Five grandchildren: Katie, Danny, Sam, Josh, and Mira. Also, one great-grandchild, Delilah Lou.

She was a part of many stewardships in her parish of Holy Rosary in the last decade of her life. Colleen was a devoted and beloved wife and mother and will be terribly missed by her entire family and anyone who had the opportunity to call her friend.

Funeral will be Thursday, February 24th, 10:30 am, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 4210 SW Genesee St.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends are remembering Jeffrey L. Parsons, and sharing this remembrance with his community:

Jeffrey Lloyd Parsons
May 3, 1947 to February 10, 2022

Jeffrey “Jeff” Parsons was born on May 3rd, 1947, the youngest child of Lloyd and Dorothy Parsons. Jeff was born and raised in West Seattle and was the “favorite brother” of his two older sisters, Kay and Judy. He passed away at home on February 10th, 2022, surrounded by his family, after a brief illness.

Jeff attended EC Hughes Elementary, Denny Middle School, and Sealth High School, where he graduated with the class of 1965. He had many fun adventures with his childhood friends and fellow Boy Scouts and was an active member of Calvary Lutheran Church.

In 1967, Jeff joined the United States Navy Reserve and completed his training and service at the Naval Air Reserve Training Unit in Memphis, TN and the Naval Air Reserve Training Command in Los Alamitos, CA. Upon return to Seattle, he chose to follow in his father’s footsteps and completed an apprenticeship program for sheet-metal fabrication at Seattle Community College. Jeff pursued a lifelong career in commercial sheet-metal work at several Seattle area shops, with the majority of his career spent at Holaday-Parks, Inc., in Tukwila, where he was the Shop Superintendent and proud member of Local Union 66. He retired after 38 years in 2010.

In the late 1960s, Jeff met the love of his life, Sally Paton, and they were married in 1970. Jeff and Sally had over 50 years of adventure together as they raised two children, Maureen and Chris, and built a mountain cabin for their family in the remote community of Stehekin, WA. Jeff loved his outdoor adventures in Stehekin and his time spent with his many friends in the Stehekin community. He loved backpacking, camping, and fishing with his family and enjoyed road trips through the Northwest, Alaska, and Canada.

A gifted carpenter and metal worker, Jeff enjoyed many happy hours tinkering in his shop, and especially loved working on projects with his dad, son, and grandsons. A kind and generous friend and neighbor to many, he looked forward to his daily drives around West Seattle catching up with friends and family and delivering cookies to his grandkids. He loved watching his youngest grandson’s baseball, soccer, and basketball games, and he enjoyed listening to his oldest grandson’s violin and piano concerts. Jeff loved all things vintage; from collectible toys to historical photographs of Stehekin and Lake Chelan, Jeff spent hours curating his fascinating collection. His epic sense of humor was well known and he was appreciated by his family, friends and neighbors for his ability to fix anything.

Jeff’s love for his family was unconditional. Rain or shine, Jeff could be relied upon to help with whatever the situation happened to be, with a powerful mind and an indefatigable work ethic. He was able to provide his family with many decades of safety, opportunities, and beautiful memories. He never seemed to ask for anything in return but the company of his family, which was readily granted on account of his easy-going personality and aforementioned sense of humor. He will be greatly missed.

Jeff is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sally (Paton) Parsons; daughter Maureen Parsons and grandsons Aidan and Ian Busby; son Chris Parsons (Liz Browning); sister Judy Parsons; sister Kay McAvinew (Jerry) and their children Tony McAvinew and Tracy (Tim) Powell; sisters-in-law Sue Lesmeister (Bob) and Diane Peel (Omar); and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Dorothy Parsons, and sister-in-law Laurie Williams.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society.

Please share memories, condolences and pictures with Jeff’s family at bonneywatson.com/obituary/jeffrey-lloyd-parsons. A private family service will be held at Washington Memorial Park in SeaTac.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends are remembering Lois Norman Batts. Here’s what they are sharing with her community:

Lois Norman Batts entered fully into the presence of the Lord on Saturday, January 8, 2022. She will be greatly missed until family and friends reunite with her, someday, in Heaven.

She was born to Day and Verna Wallen on February 23, 1930, in Sioux City, Iowa – the youngest of 6 children. Her family moved to the Key Peninsula of Washington State in the early 1940s. As a young woman, she worked as a switchboard operator, long distance operator, and attended some classes at the University of Washington. In the fall of 1956, she met the love of her life, William (Bill) Batts. They were soon engaged, and then married on February 22, 1957, just one day before her 27th birthday. She joked about how she aged a year overnight.

They bought a house and settled down in the Genesee Hill area of West Seattle and raised 3 children there – Ben, Bill, and Janis.

Lois was a stay-at-home mom for many years and involved in the children’s schools. She participated in many ministries and programs at West Side Presbyterian Church during her 62-year membership, including women’s circle groups, Wedded Ring group, Sunday School teaching, VBS teaching/assisting, serving as Deaconess, MOPPETS childcare volunteer, etc… She attended Bible Study Fellowship for many years and volunteered with Friend-to Friend, which is an organization that matches volunteers to elderly folks who need the company of a friend on a regular basis. Lois participated in the West Seattle Hi-Yu parade many summers carrying a banner for Friend-to-Friend which led the vans and buses from local senior-living facilities.

Lois was always putting others first. As a non-skier, she went along on all the family ski trips every other weekend in the winters to Crystal Mountain to provide mothering, warmth, meals, encouragement, and all that it takes to get a family of 5 packed up and provided for. She also supported Bill in his other hobbies of raising & showing dahlias and boating & fishing. During her mother’s last few years of life, Lois cared for her 24 hours/day at home.

When the children were older, Lois went back to work. She started out working in the kitchen at Modern Care Nursing Home and then began to work as an Activities Assistant. She moved on to work at The Kenney Home as an Activities Assistant. Even after she retired from there, she continued for many years, to lead a class for the residents on making Kenney Kards, which were sold to help raise money for The Kenney benevolence fund.

Lois enjoyed traveling with Bill: a road trip around the USA and to Canada, they took many cruises (the Caribbean, Australia, Hawaii, Alaska, Panama Canal), a trip to Europe (France, England, Italy), many October trips to Maui, timeshare weeks to Wapato Point in Chelan. She also enjoyed playing card games and Dominoes with family and friends, making ceramic decorations, watching Mariners games, and spending time with her grandchildren.

In 1997, they sold their house and then moved into The Kenney independent-living apartments. They used to be the young ones there and felt like they were royalty as they looked out from their 4th-floor apartment windows over the beautiful lawn and gardens. In early 2019, they moved into Assisted Living as Lois’s Alzheimer’s worsened; then in October 2019, Lois moved into The Kenney’s memory care, as Bill continued in Assisted Living. For the first time since 1957, they were living apart but able to visit with each other daily. This separation was compounded further in the Spring of 2020, when The Kenney cancelled any visitation to the residents in the building due to COVID, which included any visits between people in the different living areas there. For many months Bill and Lois could only “visit” through a window. Their story was featured in the Seattle Times November issue of The Pacific NW. Fortunately, restrictions were loosened some and they could see each other again in person.

Lois passed away just short of their 65th anniversary and her 92nd birthday. She is preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings. She is survived by her husband Bill (Mr. Bill, as she would say), son Ben Batts, son Bill Batts (Jen), and daughter Janis Kelly (Tim), grandchildren Taylor Batts (Mikaela), Ruth Sonsteng (David), Julia Foote (Spencer), Kathryn Batts, William Batts, Stephen Kelly, and Victoria Kelly-Hodder (Ben) and six great-grandchildren.

Thank you to the wonderful caregivers at Synergy Home Care Seattle, The Kenney, AMR Paramedics, and Swedish Hospital Cherry Hill.

There will be a private family ceremony on March 3rd.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends will gather March 5 to remember Janice Tomisser, and are sharing this with her community:

Janice Tomisser left us on January 30, 2022 unexpectedly, and as a good friend said, “Godspeed Sweet Jane, of all the people I have ever known, you’ve got the express train to heaven.”

Janice lived a full life of 73 years and was the conscience of her family, setting such a wonderful example of living a spiritual and faith-filled life, showing her love, compassion, kindness, and generosity, always thinking of others before herself. She leaves behind 4 sisters, 1 brother, 1 brother-in-law, a sister-in-law, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and so many wonderful friends in this world. Preceded in death were her parents, Edward and Maxine Tomisser. She will be missed by all and left a wonderful legacy of love and support. Janice knew it was not the destination that counts but the journey. All the lives she touched, the good she did.

Janice grew up in West Seattle, where she lived for over 50 years. A great community to have been raised in, and after graduating from West Seattle High School, she certainly began her adventures. After college, Janice found her niche working in Medical Billing and Coding for Aetna Insurance for over 25 years and finishing her career with Swedish Institute of Neurology, upon which after another 15 years she decided to retire and enjoy some well-earned time for fun and adventure outside of working. Janice loved many things but more than anything she loved people. Always willing to listen, she connected with people from all walks of life with working colleagues as well as friends and of course her family.

Janice was very involved with her beloved West Seattle Christian Church Family, where she was a member for more than 50 years. She took great comfort in her spiritual life and community, including teaching Sunday School for many years and making so many lasting friendships in her church community. She set a great example to her family and friends, showing her caring ways to others. Upon retiring she also enjoyed volunteering in her West Seattle community at the Senior Center. She had a fun side as well, always wearing matching earrings, and her pearls with her colorful clothes, and shoes to match too! Always looking for the best new haircut to match as well. She took many vacations to Hawaii, enjoyed cruises, a trip to Europe, and always a summer-camp excursion to enjoy each year too.

Janice had many interests. One of her favorites , when not sharing time with her sisters or nieces and nephews as they were growing up , was her ardent support always as a Seattle sports fan. The Mariners, Seahawks, and Huskies were her favorites year round . Once her niece became a Gonzaga student and alumni, she had to add the Zags basketball too! She followed each team with lots of cheering and enthusiasm, especially the year the Seahawks won the Super Bowl! At holiday time she took time with everyone to make some holiday candies and cookies to celebrate the special time of the year.

Janice will be missed by so many. The Tomisser Family wishes to thank the Holistic Adult Family Home in Federal Way as well as the Swedish Hospice Team in Seattle, who cared for her during this last year and her final days.

A service celebrating Janice’s life will be held beginning at 11 am on March 5, 2022 at West Seattle Christian Church. Due to COVID restrictions, masks are required to attend her service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association using their website @ www.diabetes.org.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends are remembering Lisa Craig Davidson, who lived in West Seattle for more than 25 years, and sharing this remembrance:

Lisa Craig Davidson
10/13/46 – 2/06/22

Surrounded by family and friends in her beloved home in Ellensburg, Lisa Craig Davidson quietly passed away after succumbing to a brief battle with lung cancer on Sunday afternoon, February 6th, 2022.

Lisa was born in Glen Ridge, NJ in 1946. She grew up in Greenwich, CT and attended Greenwich High School. Lisa spent her early years summering with her family in Rockport, MA and Belgrade Lakes, ME.

Lisa moved to Manhattan, NY at the age of 18 to start a modeling career. While in NY, she also worked for Life Magazine as an administrative assistant. Lisa then moved to Darien, CT, where she attended Norwalk Community College.

Lisa married Enfield “Flicky” Ford on the Lake in Belgrade Lakes, ME on August 18th, 1973. Lisa and Flicky enjoyed a busy family and social life between trips to NY, Maine, and Connecticut. Lisa and Flicky were divorced on March 27th, 1984.

Lisa moved to Seattle in 1991, where she worked for many years at the Mills Meyers Swartling law firm and enjoyed her home and community in West Seattle. While there, she was a passionate advocate for the homeless and enjoyed entertaining and meeting new people while working with premier Seattle catering company Tuxedos & Tennis Shoes.

Lisa moved to Sheridan, WY in 2008 and married Steve Monninger on July 17th, 2008. In 2009, Lisa moved to Paris, France, where she immersed herself in French art, food, and culture and discovered a hidden and impressive talent with oil painting. After returning from France, Lisa and Steve moved to Vancouver, B.C. in 2015 and were later divorced on March 9th, 2016.

Lisa returned to Seattle in 2016 and eventually migrated to her beloved home “Wedding Tree Farm” in Ellensburg. Lisa was very active in the Ellensburg community and made many close friends. She spent much of her time in Ellensburg volunteering with Kittitas County Friends of Animals (KCFOA) and FISH Food Bank.

Lisa loved life and she loved people. She was energy unbridled and moved happily wherever life took her. Lisa loved to live and she will be greatly missed.

Lisa is survived by her sister Lucy Davidson, brother Bill Davidson, niece Sydney Yates, nephew Christian Skovgaard, niece Laura Spuck, and nephew Carey Head. A memorial will be held to honor Lisa’s vivacious spirit and adventurous life in mid-April in Ellensburg.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends are remembering Georgia Koenig, a former resident of West Seattle, and sharing this remembrance:

Georgia L. (Petersen) Koenig
February 26, 1945 – December 21, 2021

Beloved wife, mother, aunt, and friend, Georgia left us on December 21. She was greeted in heaven by her parents, in-laws, and sister.

The third daughter of George Martin and Eva Elaine Petersen (Marshall), Georgia was born in Seattle. She lived in Kalispell, Montana, then moved to St. Maries, Idaho, and back to Seattle all before the age of 5. Georgia spent the rest of her life in Washington State.

In 1966 she married the love of her life, Robert P. Koenig, and they raised two children, Susan and Robert.

She was a homemaker and community leader, devoting much her time outside the home to volunteerism, serving as school nurse, library assistant, and Camp Fire leader and Area Director.

Georgia excelled at whatever she put her mind to and had many talents. She loved handwork, crafting, and gardening, and was a voracious reader. She enjoyed card games and puzzles. She was an avid fisher. If the fish didn’t bite, it was always because the boat driver didn’t drive right.

Georgia is predeceased by her sister, Bethyl (Beth) Miller. Georgia, the wild card, had a “full house” and is survived by three Roberts and two Susans: her husband of nearly 56 years, Rob; her daughter, Susan, and son-in-law, Bob Gallagher; and her son, Rob Koenig Jr., and daughter-in-law,Susan (Suzi). In addition, she leaves behind her sister, Adina Waterbury of Vancouver, Washington, six nieces and nephews, and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

There is a deep hole in our hearts, and she is dearly missed.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends will gather next Tuesday to remember Mary Louise Campagnaro Giacomini, and are sharing this remembrance now:

Mary Louise Campagnaro Giacomini was born April 29, 1934 in Seattle to John and Maria Campagnaro. She exited to heaven via San Diego unexpectedly on January 19, 2022. She was mom to me, Nonna to her granddaughters, Mary Lou to her friends and neighbors, and Louie to her faithful husband of 59 years, Ray. My mom is survived by my father Ray, her daughter Tina Huston (Jeff), her brother Fred, her sister-in-law Paula, her granddaughters Mallory and Paige, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents John and Maria, her brother Mimo, her aunt and uncle Joe and Adele, her double first cousins Fay, Mario, and Aldo, her in-laws Lorenzo and Louise, and her brother-in-law Larry.

Mary Louise graduated from Holy Rosary High School in West Seattle and worked as a security clearance clerk for Boeing. She met a handsome engineer while working there and they were married in 1962. After their marriage, my dad was transferred to central California and they settled in Santa Maria. Ten years later, my dad accepted a new job in San Diego, where they expected to stay for a few years. Fifty years later, my parents still called San Diego their home.

My mom was a loyal friend and a selfless person. Her first priority was always her family. My mom never met a stranger and had a contagious laugh. She also had a loud, booming voice that she said she “inherited from her dad.” It was very difficult to miss her. My mom was tough – always standing up for herself and her family. Loving but tough – you always got the truth – whether you wanted to hear it or not. I will miss talking to her and still asking her advice after 55 years. She was the best mom!

After settling in San Diego, I started kindergarten and my mom grew bored of staying home. This began her stint with San Diego City Schools as a yard duty and then as an instructional aide for children with learning disabilities. She loved working with kids of all ages and made many friends.

My mom and dad enjoyed many years of retirement and travel with family and friends. Their devotion to our girls made a big impact on their lives and we will always be eternally grateful. She spent years being a taxi service for her granddaughters and volunteered in the CCD program when her granddaughter needed an aide. She loved volunteering and continued working with the kids after her granddaughter graduated the program. Rest in Peace, Mom. Continue to watch over us and provide guidance. We will all be reunited again someday. We love you!

A memorial mass will be held at Holy Rosary Church on Tuesday, February 8th at 10:00 am. holyrosaryseattle.org.

Please make donations to the Autism Society of America, San Diego Chapter swim program. 4699 Murphy Canyon Rd. San Diego, CA 92123

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends will gather Friday to remember Dr. Joseph P. Megale, and are sharing this remembrance with the community:

Heaven just got a whole lot better.

Dr. Joseph Patrick Megale [Dr. Joe] passed away on January 23, 2022, at the age of 94 among family in Palm Springs, CA. His passing was, believe it or not, a surprise to those who knew him closely. Dr. Joe, up until a couple weeks before his death was a vibrant, active, 94-year-old man. Anyone close to Joe new he was on the ball, both mentally and physically.

Joe was born on March 12, 1927, the third son to Giuseppe and Dominica [Pizzimenti] Megale in Coos Bay, Oregon. He and his mother Dominica moved back to Italy to care for her mother when Joe was 3 years old, his father staying in Coos Bay. Joe and his mother returned to Coos Bay before the War broke out when Joe was 7 years old. Joe attended high school in Coos Bay, where he was a standout football player. In 1944, he joined the Army, and was honorably discharged in 1946. He was quoted as saying “I went into the Army a boy and came back a Man.” He then attended undergrad studies at the University of Portland, followed by dental school at the University of Oregon. His senior year, he met the love of his life and future wife Mary “Diane” Kremmel [it did take an introduction from his sister Eleanor]. Joe and Diane were married on August 20th, 1955, Joe passed his boards [both Washington and Oregon] in June of 1956, their first child was born [Joseph] shortly after that, and they relocated to Washington to join his brother Dominic, who had an established dental practice in West Seattle (West Seattle Dental Center). Joe credited his brother Dominic for helping him get started in the dental field; he didn’t really know him growing up [Dominic was 14 years his senior] but he developed a great bond and friendship practicing together over the years.

Joe was truly committed to his practice; he believed in honesty, integrity, hard work and consistent support. His dream of providing exceptional dental care with compassion for his clientele all resulted in a successful practice which was supplemented beautifully by his sister, Paulina Beard, who practiced alongside her two brothers as a dental hygienist for the duration of Joe’s career. All his kids had a hand in the dental field and the daughters continued their work\careers with him for a number of years, some staying until his retirement, it was the true meaning of a “family practice.” Joe never wavered in his care for his patients they were first and they mattered. Joe retired in 1995 but continued to carry his dental license, volunteering at the Gospel Mission clinic in downtown Seattle and traveling to Moses Lake to provide pro bono care to people in need. A testament to his love of dentistry and way of giving back to a career that was good to him.

Joe was very active in his church, Our Lady of Guadalupe, where he received his CCD teaching certificate and was a founding parishioner.

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Family and friends will gather tomorrow in memory of Ginger Lei Andersen. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing with her community:

Ginger Lei Andersen

A true wonder of a woman, Ginger Lei Andersen continued her journey and departed our lives suddenly on January 20, 2022, at the far-too-early age of 58 after battling polycythemia vera, a rare blood disorder.

Ginger had the unique ability to make anyone in her presence feel like they were the most important person in her life. She had a rare balance of intellect and warmth, an infectious laugh and radiant smile. She also had an insatiable desire to learn, leading her to succeed in multiple disciplines and careers.

Named after the fragrant ginger flower used to make Hawaiian leis, Ginger Lei was born in Oahu, Hawaii on October 7, 1963. Her love of the islands always stayed with her. She returned often to enjoy hikes, the culture, long swims in the ocean, and indulge in shaved ice. Her family left the islands when Ginger was in grade school and moved to Danville, California. She graduated from Monte Vista High School, but not before spending a memorable season as the back half of “Musty the Mustang,” the school mascot. At an early age Ginger began developing her talent as a singer and performer. She was involved in numerous musicals and choirs from high school through college and beyond, including leading roles in “Hello Dolly,” “Brigadoon,” “Music Man,” and “My Fair Lady.”

After high school, Ginger graduated from Brigham Young University in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree and later completed a master’s in humanities. She married Jed Moffitt in 1984 and started their family: Miles, Seth, and Damen. Ginger loved her three boys and embraced her role as a loving mother to them. She taught English and humanities at BYU until the family moved to Sammamish, Washington, in 1999, where Ginger tutored and taught. After a short stint as a recruiter and HR generalist for The Gates Foundation, Ginger focused on a true passion: inspirational business leadership, focusing on organization performance and personnel development at Intellectual Ventures, where she worked for 9 years. She also earned a second master’s degree in organizational systems in 2015. Ginger and Jed divorced in 2012.

Ginger began a romantic journey with Ronny Sullivan in 2017 and together they found true love and an amazing connection. A longtime resident of West Seattle, Ronny introduced her to the cozy community. She fell in love with the area and purchased her perfect home in the North Admiral neighborhood, moving in on Halloween night, 2019. She spent many hours enjoying Alki Beach, embracing nature at Lincoln and Fauntleroy Parks, wandering through the Farmers’ Market, connecting with her neighbors through a book group she started, and walking her dog Odin with daughter-in-law Maaya. During 2021 she began a new journey in her career, completing her certification as a Hakomi guide and therapist. While Ginger had many titles, the most important one may have been “unofficial advisor, support, and confidante” to countless friends, family, and coworkers.

In May 2021, her son Seth and his wife Maaya moved into Ginger’s home, expecting to stay for three months. But they brought so much joy to Ginger and she to them, that the little family unit stayed together. When Ginger left Swedish First Hospital on New Year’s Day after a week-long stay, she returned home to the loving care of Ronny, Seth, & Maaya, who filled her final weeks with love and joy.

Ginger had a tremendous desire for adventure and loved to travel and experience other cultures. Throughout her life, Ginger traveled the world. While COVID slowed her recent travel schedule, the last year of her life was filled with adventure, including golfing in Palm Springs, walking the beaches in Hawaii, rappelling in Zion National Park, and visiting the Washington Coast multiple times. Ginger and Ronny also hiked in Utah’s National Parks, visited the North Cascades, Palouse Falls, and made a special sojourn to Ronny’s hometowns.

One of the highlights of her life was spending a month in Spain in the fall of 2021 with her youngest son Damen and loving partner Ronny. She also loved spending time with Miles at his home in Spokane and her home in West Seattle.

Ginger had the most amazing smile, eyes that sparkled, infectious warmth, and a presence you could feel when she walked into the room. She was deeply spiritual and intuitive but did not practice organized religion. Ginger was always ready for an adventure. She loved to travel, dance, competed in West Coast Swing, Seattle Improv, had a passion for tennis, was an avid gardener, loved hiking, and had recently caught the golf bug. The world was truly alive within her.

Ginger’s sudden passing came as a devastating shock to all those close to her. She is survived by her three adult sons, Miles Moffitt, Seth Moffitt (Maaya), and Damen Moffitt; her six older siblings, Kathi Kohler (Rich), Alan Andersen, Paula Tibbitts (Loel), Gail Newbold (Dave), Phil Andersen (Candace), and Dan Andersen (Kris); and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

On January 20 in the hours before she passed, Ginger enjoyed the beauty of Puget Sound, meditated, gave thanks for the joys in her life, and danced with Ronny, the love of her life, holding him close as they made plans for more adventures together. In memory of Ginger, take a moment to do the same

Services will be Friday, January 28 at noon at Forest Lawn Funeral Home in West Seattle. For any thoughts, wishes, photos, or memories about Ginger, please visit her Tribute page at dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/seattle-wa/ginger-andersen-10544706

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends are remembering Agathe Goulet, and sharing this remembrance with her community:

Agathe Goulet
06/06/23 – 01/20/22

Agathe Rondeau Goulet passed away January 20, 2022, and is now in the company of our heavenly Father.

She was born in Saint-Félix-de-Valois, Canada on June 06, 1923, to Delia and Pierre Rondeau.

Agathe grew up skiing, skating, and hiking in the small town near Montreal, Quebec. Her love of outdoor activity would be lasting and remain with her for the rest of her life.

As she grew, she was deeply influenced by the Catholic religion practiced by her family and also by the nuns living within the town. She spent much of her youth being taught at the local convent, where she learned of God’s love and many life skills.

She married Gerard (Jerry) Goulet on August 21st, 1950 and moved to West Seattle shortly thereafter, where she would build her life around her family and church. In 1957 they built the house where they would raise their 5 children. She loved the community, the parks, Alki, and all the area had to offer. She worked at HUSKY Delicatessen for many years and to many who tasted it, her potato salad could not be beat! She remained in her house until just recently, when she moved to an assisted-living facility.

A devout Catholic, she was a loyal parishioner of Holy Rosary Church, attending services until she was no longer physically able to do so.

Agathe was blessed with a multitude of artistic talents. She was a painter, and excelled at sewing, needlepoint, knitting and crocheting. She was also a wonderful cook and an expert at crafts.

An ever-attentive mother and grandmother, her greatest enjoyment came from her family and time outdoors. Always on the move, you would see her all around West Seattle. She enjoyed hiking, tennis, travel, and attending family sporting events. Summers were spent with her 5 young children camping in a canvas tent at Flaming Geyser Park in Black Diamond. Later in life, solo hikes would find her miles away from her cabin on Anderson Island, looking for huckleberries, wildlife, and the beauty of nature all around. Much of the art she created was inspired by what she would observe.

Predeceased by her husband Jerry, sons John and Rene, and brother Gerard. Survived by daughter Ginette Correll (husband Tony), son Robert (wife Terry), and son Donald (wife Kathleen) along with 5 grandchildren, Danielle, Zack, Brianne, Savannah, Jake, and great-granddaughter Chloe.

A private service will be held at a later date.

Her family would love to hear how she may have impacted your life. For any thoughts, wishes, photos, or memories about Agathe Goulet, please visit her Tribute page at emmickfunerals.com/obituary/Agathe-Goulet

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

A remembrance from the family of Charlie Nickels:

Charlie Nickels
May 22, 1995-January 22, 2021

The more one is loved, the more they are missed. Charlie, you are missed beyond measure.

Family and friends will gather February 5th to remember Kenneth McKim, and are sharing this remembrance with his community:

Kenneth Davis McKim
August 19, 1947 ~ November 30, 2021

Ken was born on August 19,1947, and grew up in Springfield, Ohio, the only child of Albert and Dorothy McKim.

Ken passed away on November 30, 2021 in Seattle. He was surrounded by a large extended family, and enjoyed spending time with his many cousins. He attended Springfield North High School and was involved in wrestling, pole vault, and also enjoyed dramatic arts, including high-school musicals. He met Vicky Kaiser, who would become his high-school sweetheart and love of his life for more than 50 years. They got married on December 14, 1968 in Springfield and lived in Columbus, Ohio.

Ken attended The Ohio State University and completed his degree in veterinary medicine in 1971. After graduation, he and Vicky moved to Seattle and raised a family, with the births of daughter Jennifer and son Jeremy. Many years later in 1981, Ken’s parents moved to Seattle and enjoyed being close to family and making a home in West Seattle. He attended Hope Lutheran Church and enjoyed participating in the life of the church. including men’s ministry, mission trips to Mexico, and many other activities. His faith in Jesus was paramount in his life, directing his principles and was the foundation of his strength, especially during his extended battle with cancer.

Ken began his veterinary career in West Seattle at Lien Animal Clinic, until opening his own practice and purchasing a hospital in 1977. His career and practice would span over 41 years at Greentree Animal Hospital and he was a beloved and devoted veterinarian in the West Seattle community.

He was active in his community through membership in the West Seattle Rotary Club for more than 40 years, and was a Major Donor and recipient of several Paul Harris Fellows, as well as joining the Rotary Buccaneers and serving in numerous leadership capacities, including club President. For several years, he coached pole vault at Seattle Lutheran High School and enjoyed watching the success of athletes and track teams.

Ken enjoyed many outdoor activities including camping, hiking, hunting, and fishing, and was a long-time member of the West Seattle Sportsmen’s Club and the National Rifle Association. He had many hobbies and was a collector of antiques and tools, and enjoyed traveling to events as a member of the Pacific Northwest Tool Collectors.

Ken and Vicky dreamed of retirement at their property in Cle Elum, Washington, and Ken carried that dream forward by building a log home, and enjoying the company of many of his Cle Elum neighbors and friends. Ken was blessed to have dear and supportive friends who ministered to him, notably in these last several years when he required additional cancer treatment and care. We are especially grateful to everyone at Hope Lutheran Church, his extended community in West Seattle and Cle Elum, and fellow veterinary colleagues who have loved and supported him.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy (1999) and Albert (2000) McKim, and his wife Vicky (2013). Ken is survived by his daughter Jennifer (Glenn) and their three sons: Owen, Ian, and Seth; son Jeremy (Sydel) and their daughter Bailey and sons Hunter and Sam; his sisters-in-law Becky (Denny), Connie, and Mindy (Bruce), along with many beloved cousins, nephews, and nieces.

A memorial service will be held on February 5, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. at Hope Lutheran Church in West Seattle. The memorial will also be livestreamed at vimeo.com/668056677 and available from the church web site: hopeseattle.org/onlineworship.

If you would like to make a memorial gift in Ken’s honor, donations can be given in his name to his cherished causes: the Hope Lutheran Men’s Ministry Fund, Animal Husbandry at Hill Country Youth Ranch, or to the Rotary Foundation.

Please share memories, condolences & photos with Ken’s family at emmickfunerals.com/obituary/Kenneth-McKim * Arrangements entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services of West Seattle

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends will gather February 5th to celebrate the life of Gary Wofford. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with the community:

Gary W. Wofford, age 82, passed away on Nov. 3, 2021, at St Clare Hospital, Lakewood, Washington, from Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was surrounded by his family.

Gary was born to George Wofford and Helen (Johnson) Frederickson of Bremerton and grew up in Poulsbo. He graduated from North Kitsap High School, class of 1957. He was very active in sports and school activities.

Gary married Ellen (Waali) Wofford in 1958. They were married for 62 years. They lived in West Seattle for 36 years before moving to the Lake Tapps / Enumclaw area.

When Gary resided in West Seattle, he coached football for The West Seattle Boys Club and West Seattle Jr. Football from 1959-1976. We know he impacted many young men’s lives and won several City Championships along the way! He also worked on the “Chain Gang” for the University of Washington football program for several years.

In his earlier years, he worked for Boeing, Sid Eland Distributors, and North Coast Electric. After moving to the Lake Tapps area, he had three restaurants in Bonney Lake and Enumclaw: Pard’s Place (Enumclaw), Midtown Grill (Bonney Lake), and 23 years as proprietor of BLT Sports Bar and Grill, 1997-2020 (Bonney Lake).

He was very supportive to the local community programs, charities, several youth programs, and the Veterans Home, located in Orting. He was active with WIAA High School Basketball by hosting teams in state tournaments at the Tacoma Dome for several years and supported many High School athletic programs. He also provided holiday meals for families in Enumclaw and Bonney Lake communities.

He is survived by his wife Ellen and their three children: Jana Decker (Joe Fox), Connie Bray, and Brent Wofford, and grandchildren Travis Decker (Lindsey), Kyle Bray (Willa Rector), Jennie Roush (Brandon), Brooke Coyle (Frank Tanner), Taylor Wofford, Devin Wofford, Domi Wolmer (Chris), and JJ Fox. Gary also is survived by 11 great-grandchildren and his brother Richard Wofford (Cathy).

In lieu of flowers, please donate to any of these organizations:

Bonney Lake Food Bank: PO Box 7521, Bonney Lake, WA 98391
Enumclaw Food Bank: PO Box 827, Enumclaw, WA 98022
Or any Youth Organization of your choice.

A private burial was held Nov. 9, 2021, at the Enumclaw Cemetery, Enumclaw. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 5th at the Eagles in Buckley from 1-4 PM.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends are remembering William (Bill) Ward, and sharing this remembrance with the community:

William D. Ward, age 95, a longtime resident of West Seattle, died peacefully on January 4 in Chehalis, where he resided for the last year and a half.

Bill grew up in Oakland, California and graduated from the University of Santa Clara with a degree in Civil Engineering. In 1952 he met and married Jeanne (Venen) Ward, his loving wife of 52 years. They moved to West Seattle and he joined a small engineering firm (at that time 13 employees) which became Skilling Ward Rogers Barkshire in 1987.

During Bill’s 40-year career, the firm grew into one of the largest structural engineering companies in the country, responsible for many prominent buildings on the Seattle skyline as well as engineering some of the country’s most notable structures, including the original World Trade Center in New York. After his retirement, Bill was a structural engineering consultant for The Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle.

One of his most enjoyable pastimes was fishing, both close to home on Puget Sound and on annual trips north with son Jim, a tradition which lasted almost 50 years. Still fishing at the age of 85, he caught his biggest fish ever, a 54-pound king salmon, in the Queen Charlotte Islands.

He loved road trips, including favorites such as Las Vegas and the surrounding national parks. And of course, he always loved ice cream!

Bill and his family were active members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. He is predeceased by his wife Jeanne, and survived by his son Jim (wife Patty) Ward of Chehalis, and daughter Terri Titcomb of Blue Hill, Maine, along with their families, 4 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

A private graveside service will be held at a later date.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends are sharing this remembrance of Joe Wenderoth:

Joseph P. Wenderoth passed away unexpectedly on December 13, 2021. Joe was born on March 9, 1961 to John and Barbara Wenderoth. He was the 5th of six siblings who grew up in White Center, graduating from Evergreen High School in 1979.

Joe was an explorer at heart. After graduating from high school, he moved to Southern California, where he began a lifelong career in the parking business. It was there that he met the love of his life, Lisa. They were married in 1984 and raised two beautiful children, Nick and Kalie.

Joe would tell you that he was never the smartest person in the room, but he was always the hardest-working one. It was that work ethic that propelled him as he steadily rose to leadership positions in the parking business. In 2012, he and Lisa made the risky decision to start their own company, Legacy Parking – a thriving business that will live on with his children.

Joe had many accomplishments in his life, but the one he was the most proud of was his family. His love for Lisa, Nick, and Kalie, along with his daughter-in-law Katie, knew no bounds. To say Joe will be missed is an understatement. He had cultivated an incredible group of friends and never missed an opportunity to include them in his adventures. Whether it was sailing in the Caribbean, hiking in the Rocky Mountains, or on Safari in Africa, Joe lived a good life, full of love and excitement.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents John and Barbara Wenderoth. He is survived by his wife Lisa, son Nick (Katie), daughter Kalie, siblings Mary (Tom), Mike, Chris (Janet), Cathy (Carl), and Carrie (Brian), and numerous nieces and nephews.

His family is heartbroken, Joe had a lot more life left to live and it is hard to imagine a world without him. To those who love him, Joe will always be with you. He will find a way to remind you of how much he loved you, and when he does it will surely leave you with a smile and just a hint of sadness.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends are remembering Deborah Lin Smith and sharing this remembrance with her community:

Deborah (Deb) Lin Smith passed away December 15, 2021, at the age of 55 after a battle with cancer.

Deb was born to Ronald and Karin Smith in Seattle, and shortly thereafter the family moved to Billings, Montana. Deb attended Boulder Elementary, Will James Junior High, and Billings West High School, graduating in 1984. She was always an excellent student and attended the University of California, San Diego, studying molecular biology. She received her Bachelor of Science in molecular biology in 1988.
Upon graduation, she moved to Seattle, where she lived the rest of her life. Her first job there was at The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and later she worked as a bench scientist at Zymogenetics.

A blind date led her to meet Mark Anderson, and they fell in love. They married July 13, 1996, on a record-breaking hot summer day, and thereafter made their roots in West Seattle. Their 25th wedding anniversary was celebrated this past July. The greatest joys in her life were her two daughters: Hanna, now a senior at Tufts University, and Keira, a senior in high school.

Deb was always a sports enthusiast, playing varsity volleyball in high school and on intramural teams. She was a loyal fan of the Sounders, Storm, and the University of Washington Huskies. She was an excellent cook and baker and loved exploring new tastes and flavors. She always had a love for animals, especially dogs, and her yellow lab Bailey will miss her dearly.

She participated in many volunteer activities including at the YMCA, the Red Cross, voter registration, and at Swedish hospital as a cuddler of newborns. She also spent much of her time while the girls were growing up attending their many concerts and sporting events including soccer, volleyball, basketball, and crew.

Personal relationships were always very important to Deb, and she maintained and treasured those throughout her life. She had a vast number of friends that she met through high school and college and later through involvement in tennis, her gym, and of course the many friends she met through involvement with her daughters’ activities.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, and survived by her husband Mark, daughters Hanna and Keira, parents Ron and Karin Smith, brother Len Smith (Maura), sister Erika Smith, her in-laws Anne and Warren Anderson, her sister-in-law Kristi Anderson, and her many nieces and nephews.

A private family service will be held at a later date. To share your condolences and memories of Deb with her family and friends, visit funerals.coop/obituaries/deborah-deb-lin-smith.html. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in her memory to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, directed toward lung cancer research at fredhutch.org.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)