My mother was incredibly strong in so many ways. She went from a teen mom with very little education or family support to a parent whose children adored her as well as being the director of mental health funds for 5 counties in Washington. I was so proud of her and told her so, often. I wanted to be just like her.

She was big on traditions. She insisted on a Christmas tree we all go out into the knee deep snow as a family to find. It didn't matter how much crying, whining or frostbite was involved. Growing and preserving our own food was all we ever knew and we learned so much from her.

The times when she and her sister, Mary, took Gregg, Jessica, Ron and myself out to Lake Ellen to fish were wonderful memories. We would all climb on air mattresses with the gear and paddle our way out to the island. We kids lost interest in fishing pretty quickly. I don’t recall anyone ever catching anything. Fishing wasn’t the only thing, though. We hunted crawdads and actually caught some once in a while. I liked those days. The sisters had their time together and the children made their own adventures.

My brother, Ron, once wrote a song about her and performed it, even when not requested. He accompanied himself with his toy guitar and often wore only his underwear and cowboy boots. “Love Mom, love Mom, love Mom, love!” and repeat a million times. My brother, Daniel, did his very best to be a supportive son, even pretending to like her cooking when he didn’t. One time, however, it was too much. She came home with a new permanent in her hair. 3-year-old Daniel turned and ran for the hills shouting, “BLEHHHH, UGLY!”

She was so close with her siblings and she did all she could to help them and their children. She and her devoted husband, Ron, took in her youngest brother, Charlie, after the death of their father. They helped him get his first car, his drivers license and a house. That was the way they did. She was always there for her nieces and nephews, trying to help them find the right path.

Pain emphasized her later life. She lost her youngest child, Daniel, in 2009. She then became a dedicated caregiver to her son, Ron, through extended illness to which he finally succumbed in 2020.

She was a uniquely independent and colorful woman. My father and I will miss her greatly.

*******Please be aware that I have given up all control of services for my mother and I am not being included or kept up to date on developments. This obituary is unsanctioned and written for my own healing. 

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