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Courtney Heather Thornton
Courtney Heather Thornton, 27, of Colfax, passed away on Monday, Nov. 12, 2007 in Ellensburg, WA of injuries received in an automobile accident.
Courtney was born April 28, 1980 at Mt. Vernon, WA to Terry and Linda (Sutherland) Gillespie. She was raised and educated on Orcas Island, WA, graduating in 1998 from Orcas High School. Courtney’s love of animals started at an early age and she became involved in the area’s 4-H program. She especially loved horses and through the years received many different awards.
Following graduation Courtney attended Washington State University where she fell in love with the Palouse and all it had to offer. After several years Courtney transferred to Walla Walla Community College where she graduated with a 4.0 grade point avg., in Farrier Sciences.
Courtney met Brian Thornton in 2001 and their friendship began, culminating in their marriage on June 2nd of this year. They made Colfax their home and in 2005 Courtney went to work at the Bank Of Whitman, where she enjoyed meeting and serving the community of Colfax. She was the vault teller for the Colfax branch at the time of her death. She had an infectious personality and everyone Courtney met had a special place in her heart.
Courtney enjoyed life and all it offered. She loved animals, and their dogs were special to both Courtney and Brian. Her many interests included fly fishing, scrap booking, back roading and visiting all of the small towns of the Palouse. Courtney also had a passion for coffee.
Courtney is survived by her husband Brian of Colfax; her parents Terry and Linda Gillespie of Orcas Island, WA; her brother Sean Gillespie and his wife Rebecca their daughter Katie of Lake Stevens, WA; paternal grandmother Patricia Mortenson; maternal grandmother Margaret Macri and her aunts, uncles, great aunts, great uncles and cousins; her father-in-law and wife Rod and Diana Thornton of Pullman; her mother-in-law and husband Barbara and Chris Gehring; her sister-in-law Amber Thornton and nephew Taylor of Pullman; and 2 brothers-in-laws Tanner Thornton of Reno and James Cole of Lewiston.
A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 17th at 2 p.m. at the Colfax United Methodist Church in Colfax, WA.
Memorials are suggested to the Whitman County Humane Society or to the Courtney Thornton memorial fund through the Islander Bank, PO Box 699, Eastsound, Orcas Island, WA 98245.
Judith P. Struthers
March 30, 1947 - Nov. 1, 2007
Judith P. Struthers passed away at her home on Orcas, at the age of 60, on Nov. 1, 2007.
Judith was born on March 30, 1947, in Bozeman, Mont. After eight years living in upstate New York, her family moved to San Rafael, Calif., north of San Francisco, where she grew up. She graduated near the top of a class of 500 from San Rafael High School.
After graduation from High School, she attended the University of California, Berkeley, graduating in 1969 with a degree in Anthropology, and as a Phi Beta Kappa and Regents Scholar.
After graduation from college, she took a secretarial course and worked for a short time as an executive secretary with Carnation Foods in San Francisco. She was then selected as a management intern and began her career with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C.
In 1979, she was awarded a fellowship to work in the offices of the U.S. Congress, as a legislative aide to Senator Abraham Ribicoff of Connecticut and to Congressman Phillip Sharp of Indiana. Following her experience with Congress, she was appointed to senior positions within the Health and Human Services Department and and the Social Security Administration.
In the late 1980s, Judith pursued a second career in Environmental Biology. In 1993, she was awarded a Master of Science degree in Environmental Biology from George Mason University and applied her scientific skills as an analyst with an international unit of the Nature Conservancy in Arlington, Va.
She and her husband Jeff moved to Orcas Island in 1998. Judith then joined the team of the locally based National Association of Publishers, Retailers and Artists, where she continued to apply her skills as a consummate reader and avid writer and editor. She later joined the staff of the Orcas Theater and Community Center where she was recognized by performers and patrons alike as a cheerful problem-solver.
Judith retired in 2001, but remained active in support of local choral organizations and charitable activities.
Judith was involved with music all her life, starting with piano lessons at around age eight. She played piano for the San Rafael High School orchestra and the Marin County Youth Orchestra. She spent one high school summer at Sun Valley Music Camp in Idaho, and a college summer at a music school in Salzburg, Austria.
On Orcas, she continued her love of music by joining the Orcas Choral Society and the Orcas A Cappella Singers, traveling with those organizations to perform in Scotland, Germany, and the Czech Republic, and at Carnegie Hall here in the U.S.
She served as a volunteer for administrative matters for the Orcas Animal Protection Society and was active with the Orcas Master Gardener organization and the AAUW.
Judith also continued her development of her creative writing. She wrote two plays, "Close Enough for Government Work" and "Jenny's Birthday, " which were lovingly performed by the Orcas Actors’ Theater in their Ten-Minute Play Festivals.
Judith is survived by her husband of 23 years, Jeffrey; mother Lorene Stranahan of Ft. Benton, Mont.; sisters Jeanne (Mrs. David McKevitt) of Sheridan, Ore., and Carol (Mrs. Bob Blanchard) of Ft. Benton, Mont.; Martha Delargy of Bethesda, Md.; and brother Mike of Auburn, Calif. A funeral service for the family and invited guests will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 9, 2007 at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Eastsound, Wash. A Memorial Celebration of her life will be held later in the day, at 4 p.m., at the Orcas Center, Mt. Baker Road, Eastsound, including choral music selections by both the Orcas Choral Society and the Orcas A Cappella Singers. A gathering in the Madrona Room with light refreshments will follow. Guests are asked to bring hors d'oevres or other light refreshments. For information, contact Velma Doty at 376-6847. All are invited to come and celebrate Judith’s life.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to any of following organizations: Lahari Volunteers Hospice, PO Box 50, Deer Harbor, WA 98243; Orcas A Cappella Singers C/O Dennis Bonner, PO Box 1621, Eastsound, WA 98245; Orcas Choral Society. PO Box 47, Eastsound, WA 98245, or the Orcas Animal Protection Society, PO Box 1484/84A Hope Lane, Eastsound, WA 98245.
Pacinelli, Michael
Michael H. Pacinelli was born in Phoenix, Ariz. to his parents Fred Pacinelli and Carol Stanley. Michael left our world suddenly on Oct. 21, 2007. He spent most of his life living in Phoenix until September of 1998, he then moved to the San Juan Islands to be with his wife Tracy. From there he put his talents of being a master carpenter to work, when he began building custom homes on both Orcas and Lopez Island.
He was a great artist when it came to his craft of carpentry. In his spare time he loved to draw and go fishing with his friends. Michael will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends. Michael is survived by his wife Tracy Uptain of Lopez Island, his daughter Marissa Pacinelli of Phoenix, Ariz., step-children Justin Uptain of Glendale, Ariz. and Jennifer Mohler and her husband James of Lopez Island, Father Fred Pacinelli of California, Mother Carol Stanley and her husband Bob of Phoenix, Ariz., brother Duffy Pacinelli and his wife Lin of Peoria, Ariz. sister Lori Luchesi of Arizona, sister Rose Anne Petersen and her husband Tony of Heber, Ariz., brother Joey Pacinelli of California, sister Christine Neff of California, sister Nicki Pacinelli of Arizona and sister Andi Pacinelli of Arizona. He also has many nieces and nephews and two grandchildren Chela and Jake Mohler of Lopez Island.
Lund, Marcy Wednesday, 05 Mar 2008 Islands Sounder Eastsound, WA
Marcy Lund died peacefully in her home on March 5, 2008. She was 61 years old and had lived on Orcas Island for more than 35 years.
Marcy was born in Seattle on Jan. 8, 1947 to Ann and Robert Lund. She grew up in Medina, Washington and her family soon planted her “Orcas roots” with summer vacations on the island. She graduated from Western Washington State College in Bellingham in 1969 with a degree in English Literature and worked the next summer at Rosario with her friend Mary Magnuson. The two set off for Europe the following January and backpacked through France together. Marcy continued on independently to Greece, and journeyed to Norway with her mother to explore family history.
After almost a year of working at an experimental school in Scotland, she returned to the Northwest and soon Orcas called her home. She worked as a reporter for the Island Record, as a salesperson at Darvill’s Bookstore, spun wool, made ceramic tiles and helped run a farm. In 1981, an opportunity to “start a little café” at the Olga Artworks presented itself. And the rest, as they say, is history. Partnering with Edith Thomsen for a short time and then on her own, Marcy created one of the most successful “institutions” on the island—“The Café Olga.” For 22 years she shepherded a flock of cooks and wait people that welcomed islanders and visitors with open arms and world famous blackberry pie.
Through the years, Marcy made many contributions to her beloved Orcas. She worked with The Madrona Point Committee to save that sacred land and went on to serve several years on the San Juan County Land Bank, ensuring that our island’s character and lands were preserved. She volunteered in the PIP program at the elementary school and contributed to many other community efforts. She was a member of the Madrona Club for 19 years.
In 2001 Marcy received her Masters Degree in family systems from the LIOS program and then interned with North Islands Counseling in Friday Harbor. In 2003 she retired from the restaurant business and married
Larry Parker. She was never happier than in her final years with Larry on “the most beautiful land on the island.” During that time she nourished her friends with flowers at the farm stand on Pt. Lawrence Road, helped with the sheep, entertained old friends and cultivated new ones, and photographed the seasons. She loved trips to Victoria, and of course, good food.
Marcy is survived by her husband Larry Parker, sister Nancy Lund, nephew Scott Matson and his wife Wendy and son Cody, goddess daughter Lily Xiaowen Sky, a large extended family and an island (and beyond) full of dear friends.
Marcy’s life will be celebrated at a memorial service at The Orcas Center, Sunday, March 16 at 1 p.m. The community is asked to bring a flower and your stories to share. Please make memorial contributions to the Madrona Club Scholarship Fund, PO Box 361, Eastsound WA 98245.
A website, marcylund.net, has been set up to share pictures, memories and thoughts.
Anne Carter Shelley
Rev. Dr. Anne Carter Shelley, one of the first women to be ordained in the Presbyterian Church in North Carolina, died in Rock Hill, South Carolina on Saturday, February 9.
She was born in Danville, Va., on Dec. 14, 1952, and grew up in Rock Hill, S.C. She attended Rock Hill High School (class of 1970), where she was editor of the school newspaper and was an active member of Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church. She graduated with a degree in Religion at the University of South Carolina and received a Masters in Divinity from Union Theological Seminary; a Masters in Preaching from Princeton University and a PhD. in English and Rhetoric from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
She served in the ministry at churches in Butner, N.C., Durham, N.C., Yadkinville, N.C. and Statesville, N.C. All her congregations admired her for her ministerial passion and energy. She also served as an associate presbyter for Salem Presbytery in North Carolina.
She wrote numerous professional articles, chapters and one book. She also made major contributions to The Immediate Word; a website supporting sermon writing. Her academic interests were in preaching and rhetoric; feminist hermeneutics; and the prevention of plagiarism in preaching.
She taught English to undergraduates at Wake Forest and Appalachian State University. She also organized and taught lay pastors in Salem Presbytery. She was elected as moderator of Salem Presbytery. She was a mentor to many women ministers.
Carter Shelley was a beloved spouse, parent and friend as well as a minister and educator. In 1995, she married
Dr. Thomas Frazer and moved to Wilkesboro, N.C. She was active in the Wilkesboro community as a soccer coach, organizer of a book group and board member of Shelter and Aid to Families in Emergency (SAFE).
After moving to Orcas Island, she made major progress writing a book on stepmothers. She was also a trustee of the Orcas Island Public Library.
Carter accomplished an enormous amount professionally and socially. As a minister, English teacher and author she was beloved by a very large circle of friends and admirers. She put enormous energy and creativity into family life, with perhaps her most powerful ministry being her role as wife to Dr. Thomas Frazer and parent to Melanie Somjen Frazer and Nicholas Laszlo Frazer.
In addition to her husband and stepchildren, she is survived by her parents, Adrian and Anne Carter Shelley, and her siblings, Adrian, Jenny, Jim and Joe Shelley.
Carter’s memorial service will be held at Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church in Rock Hill, S.C. on Wednesday Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. A second memorial service is planned for Orcas Island. Memorial donations may be sent in lieu of flowers to Union Theological Seminary (3401 Brook Road, Richmond, Va. 23227); the Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund (which will support individuals pursuing theological education); and the Orcas Island Public Library (500 Rose Street; Eastsound, 98245).
Wendell C. Brainerd
Wendell C. Brainerd, 71, passed away suddenly Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008 at Lopez Island from an aortic defect.
Wendell was committed to the good work of the Lutheran Church in the San Juans, the Lopez Island Lions Club, Lopez Island Hospice and Home Support, and Lopez Senior Services.
Wendell was born on June 14, 1936 in Ladysmith, Wisconsin to Harry and Elinor Brainerd. He spent his boyhood on the family dairy farm in nearby Bruce with his brothers, Philip and David, and his sister, Carolyn.
In 1956, Wendell married
Dorothy Kernwein, also of Bruce, and joined the Marines. After Boot Camp in San Diego, the couple moved to Brooklyn, N.Y. where Wendell finished his service.
Wendell attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1964. He subsequently went to work for General Motors in Milwaukee. Wendell and Dorothy had four children, David Wendell, Julie Ann, Cynthia Marie, and Daniel Clark. During 1970, Wendell’s work with GM included development of an Air Force Electronic Fuze Program. When research was transferred from Milwaukee to Santa Barbara in 1972, the family moved to California.
Wendell continued to work on the Fuze Program for the next eight years.
After Dorothy and Wendell divorced, Wendell met Linda Gallo at Delco and married
her in 1982. Wendell and Linda had one child, Amy Elizabeth.
Wendell also earned an MS in computer engineering at the University of California at Santa Barbara. He worked on the TITAN Missile Guidance, the Delta Guidance Computer, the Apollo Guidance for NASA, the Mark 48 Torpedo for the Navy, and the Carousel Commercial Airliner Passenger Navigation System, which was used in 84 of the world’s airlines at its peak.
Wendell retired from Delco in 1993 and the family moved to Lopez Island in the beautiful San Juans. Wendell started a small business, Lopez Home Repair, and was also able to pursue his dream of farming for a few years before health issues intervened. He came to spend most of his time on Lions Club and Church work. He loved to learn. He loved Lopez Island and its people. He was a family man through and through, always supporting his children and loving his wife. In 2007 Wendell and Linda were able travel to Hawaii and to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, renewing their vows to one another.
Wendell is survived by his wife and daughter, Linda and Amy, both of Lopez Island; children, David Brainerd of Goleta, Calif., Julie Carr of Bentonville, Ark., Cynthia Beecher of Kennewick, Wash., and Danny Brainerd of Ventura, Calif.; his mother, Elinor; brothers, Philip and David Brainerd, all of Mena, Ark.; his sister, Carolyn of Minneapolis, Minn.; and his grandchildren, Casey, Megan, Elliot and Lily Brainerd, all of Goleta, Calif.
We, Wendell’s family, thank God for our time with him and will miss him the rest of our lives.
A Memorial Service is planned for Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008 at 2 p.m. at Center Church on Lopez Island. A reception will follow immediately at the Golf Club. All are invited; attendees at the reception are asked to bring a dish of finger food. Remembrances may be made to the Lions Club.
Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, Wash. and San Juan Islands. To share memories of Wendell, pleases sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com
SWAN, BEULAH BELL
July 6, 1910 to January 17, 2008
Beulah Bell Swan, long time resident of Crow Valley on Orcas Island peacefully passed into eternal rest at 5:30 am on January 17, 2008 at Harbor Place Assisted Living Community in Gig Harbor Washington. Beulah was attended by her sister Betty Strait, her very close friend Laura DeVerna Eidal and daughter-in-law Gerry Swan. Her Grandson Brandon Swan and long-time good friend Dr. Chris Eidal were close by. Lauren and Marit Eidal also brought comfort and love to Beulah. The nurses and staff at Harbor Place were gentle and loving throughout Beulah’s peaceful passing.
Brownie, Beulah’s husband of 50 years predeceased her in 1976. Beulah had two sons and is survived by her oldest son, Donald Swan of Orcas Island. Beulah’s youngest son, Rick Swan, predeceased her. Beulah is also survived by grandsons Brandon Swan of Poulsbo, Washington; Gary Swan of El Dorado Hills, California; Rick Swan and Michelle Apolonio of Gilroy California; great grandchildren Kimberly Archuleta; Chyna; Michael and Tyler Swan; Aaron Apolonio and Brooke and Brianna Swan; and one great-great grandson Shayne Archuleta; two sisters Betty Strait and Shirley Bridler; many loving nieces and nephews; daughter-in-law Gerry Swan; Chris, Laura, Lauren and Marit Eidal, and many loving friends.
Beulah lived on Orcas from 1960 until November 2006. For health reasons at the age of 96 Beulah’s reluctantly left the home she loved in Crow Valley. Beulah visited with Chris and Laura Eidal in Gig Harbor for a few months. In January of 2007 Beulah moved to her own home, an assisted living apartment at Harbor Place, in Gig Harbor.
Born Beulah Bell Lehman in Vallejo California on July 6, 1910, her mother said Beulah was her little fire-cracker. Beulah’s childhood was spent in various California locations, but mostly in the Monterey Bay area. Beulah was a good student, and planned to become a mathematics teacher. However, at the age of 15 Beulah fell in love and married
Arthur Jeremiah Swan, called Brownie because of his thick brown hair.
A life long pattern of welcoming, loving and sharing started as Beulah and Brownie opened their home and hearts to her two brothers and four sisters during the depression. Beulah became a tender second mother to her siblings. It is a tribute to Beulah that during the depression, and throughout her life, she was able to warm her family with simple pleasures. Hot cocoa and toast (cookies when budget allowed) became parties during times when many, including Beulah and Brownie, were struggling through the depression. Beulah’s home continued to be a haven. Brother Ralph and sisters Betty and Muriel were welcomed home from WWII to Beulah and Brownie’s home on Earl Street in Oakland, California. Beulah there always with a big smile and arms opened wide.
In 1960 Beulah and Brownie (she was 50 that year) packed up and left Oakland to start a dude-ranch on Orcas. In the 60’s summer’s were short and very wet on Orcas. So instead of trail-rides Brownie gave riding lessons and trained horses. Beulah opened her home and heart to the young riders in training. Many of them will tell you that while the riding lessons were the draw to the farm, it was the cookies, cocoa and friendship of Beulah’s kitchen that have sustained them for a lifetime. A particularly good friend of Beulah‘s, Judy Wilson Sophoson, currently of Bellingham, expressed Beulah’s warmth saying “though Brownie and Beulah never had much financially we were always welcome in their home and at their table - it meant a lot“.
Beulah had rheumatoid arthritis and was no stranger to pain. Shortly after arriving on Orcas Beulah was diagnosed with breast cancer. Beulah opted for a radical mastectomy calculating this would give her the best odds for a long life, she wanted to see her grandchildren grow up. She watched her grandson’s become adults, and then Beulah watched her great grandchildren growing up. Brandon lived near her, and Rick and Gary would visit from California during the summers. She would travel to California for a few months each winter, and later she and Brandon traveled together. Beulah loved nothing more than having her grandchildren and great grandchildren around her.
Beulah was independent, she considered herself a bit of a maverick. Until Beulah turned 96 she lived on her own, and liked it that way! Beulah enjoyed simple pleasures, she lived for her family, she loved the view down Crow Valley towards the Flaherty farm (Arndt’s farm now-a-days) and the Grange. She loved watching the bunnies, the deer, the eagles, crows and various birds. Movies were a passion. Beulah had an iron trap memory and could name actors, actresses and their roles. In her later years Beulah had a memorable collection of favorite movies on video and DVD. Beulah loved to play solitaire and was great at crosswords, outplaying any of us at most games. Beulah could stretch an insignificant amount of food into a meal for many. Her reputation for cookies and cocoa is renowned.
At her 95th birthday her grandson Rick said the following “Grandma is a survivor…a survivor of many things happy and sad. She never gives up and never turns bitter. She is proof that we can all evolve out of our primordial instincts of envy and jealousy, and become better people. So a toast! A toast to the warm welcomes and the magical charm that is and always has been …… Beulah”.
Beulah was and is loved. She will be missed.
A memorial service is being planned for early August on Orcas
Donald E. Reardon
Donald E. Reardon, age 81, died Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008 at Holy Cross Hospital in Taos, N.M.
Don was born on Dec. 19, 1927 in Glenns Falls, N.Y., where he lived until graduating in 1950 from Sienna College, N.Y., majoring in physics.
He rose from a physics laboratory assistant to manager of a Department of Energy Operations Office with a staff of over 300 and a budget of over $700 million dollars per year.
After 28 years of progressive responsibility in the management of some of this country's most scientifically advanced, energy related, research and development work, Donald was given a special international assignment at the United States Mission to the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria - as Coordinator of United States input on the world-wide risks of nuclear proliferation in the fuel cycles of nuclear reactors.
His work with the Atomic Energy Agency culminated in a post as Deputy Ambassador to Austria. He retired at the age of 53 in order to accompany his wife Ann on a two-year tour of Europe.
Don and Ann returned home to design and built their dream house on Orcas Island, overlooking Parker Reef. From there, Don was able to enjoy his favorite things - trips to Alaska, sailing, hiking, and camping.
Of all his accomplishments, Donald considered his marriage with Ann Marie to be his most significant and treasured.
Donald is survived by his daughters, Roslyn O'Riordan of Talent, Ore.; and Caryn Reardon of Taos, N.M.; a grandchild, Veda Pritchard; and one brother, John Reardon, Rensselaeur, N.Y. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Ann Marie, and son David Reardon.
BRADSHAW, MATTHEW
Matthew Arjuna Bradshaw, 16, died at his home in Polson, Mont. Wednesday, July 11, 2007.
He was born May 9, 1991, in Mount Vernon, Wash., to Stefani and Dr. William Bradshaw. He was raised on Orcas Island, Wash., until moving to Silverton, Ore., at age 4 year, with his parents and older brother Luke.
In August 1996, the family moved to Montana, where Matthew lived for the last 11 years.
Matthew's parents divorced in 2001, and his father moved to Colorado. His mother, Stefani, married
David Devore in 2003 and Matthew lived with them and his stepsister, Hana. In October 2006, his mother was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer and died in January 2007.
Matthew loved skateboarding, snowboarding, video gaming, and music of many kinds.
Survivors include his father, Dr. William Bradshaw of Leadville, Colo., his brother, Luke Rollins of Los Angeles, his stepfather, David Devore, of Polson, his stepsister, Hana Devore of Seattle, his paternal aunt, Katherine Agbe (Adesuyi) of Lake Jackson, Texas, and cousins, Morenike, Anna, and Ashley; his paternal aunt, Jan McConnell (Dennis) of Lake Jackson, Texas, and cousins, Adam and Julia and his many friends and classmates.
A memorial service was held on Tuesday, July 17, at the First United Methodist Church in Polson, Mont. with the Rev. Esther Angel officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home in Polson, Mont.
