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Smith, Mary Tuesday, 06 Jul 2004
Mary R. Smith died in her Vashon home on July 6, 2004, after a long illness. Loved ones, including dogs, were at her bedside. She was 75 years old.
Mary Frances Ruble was born to Roland O. Ruble and Mildred Rose Ruble on Sept. 24, 1928 in Kansas City, Kansas. The family moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico where Mary completed high school.
After graduation from Colorado College, Mary toured Europe, her first of many hosteling adventures. On her return she moved to Bremerton to live with her college roommate, D.A. Stroup. It was in Bremerton that she met and subsequently married
Roger M. Smith.
Children followed, Barbara then Roland. The family moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, then Bellingham, and landed on Vashon Island in 1961.
After her children were in school Mary embarked on her first of three careers as a welfare caseworker in Tacoma. Next, she attended the University of Washington. After earning her teaching certificate she taught 6th, 7th and 8th grades at Burton Elementary.
After Roger died in 1970 Mary once again went back to school, this time to University of Puget Sound Law School. She established a private law practice on Vashon, serving the community’s legal needs for the next decade.
Mary was an active member of the Vashon Democratic Club. She attended the Washington State convention as a delegate for Eugene McCarthy. On Vashon she will be remembered as the maker of those killer bean burritos during Strawberry Festival.
As long as her health allowed, Mary traveled at every opportunity. She and her friend Connie DuFresne adventured to Europe, Asia and Australia, sometimes in the company of a third close friend Grace Delano, or some of their assorted children and grandchildren. They snorkeled in warm Pacific waters, rode camels in Alice Springs, and sampled every exotic cuisine that opportunity provided.
Mary served for a number of years as a member of the Vashon Health Center Board. She also volunteered for VIVA, dispensing emergency funds to those in need.
A life-long Girl Scout, Mary was a group leader with her friend Carol Slaughter and many others. Together they led several Island Encampments.
Children with disabilities and those who were deaf were among the hundreds of Island children who hiked, swam, sang and swatted mosquitoes in the woods of Western Washington.
As Mary’s health declined, the community returned her gifts. A rotating team of loving and committed people supported her. Without her caregivers’ hard work and creativity Mary would not have been able to remain in her own home.
Survivors include her brother Roland R. (Skip) Ruble and his wife Betty, her daughter Barbara and partner Lotus, son Roland, grandchildren Amy and Jay, nieces Sharon, Patty and Sandy, nephews Trevor, Zachary, Logan, and Steven, and countless friends and her loyal companions, dogs Wally, Effie and Charlotte.
The community is invited to share in a celebration of Mary’s life on at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 18, at the Vashon Youth Hostel. Potluck offerings of food or drink are welcomed but not required. Gifts may be made in her memory to the Vashon Island High School scholarship fund.
Ulatoski-Matson, Marian Elise Tuesday, 22 Jun 2004
Marian Elise Ulatoski-Matson was born Nov. 5, 1961, and died June 22, 2004. She was the wife of Kenneth W. Matson of Bothell and the daughter of Brigadier General (Ret.) Joseph R. and Edith W. Ulatoski of Vashon. She died at her home in Bothell after a courageous and inspirational battle with cancer.
Elise was an avid reader and loved music, animals and her garden. She enjoyed downhill skiing, white water rafting and even some sports parachuting. Family members say she will always be remembered for her smile, her positive attitude, kindness, generosity and sense of humor — traits that were particularly apparent throughout her illness.
In addition to her parents and husband, survivors include her sisters Kari Ulatoski of Vashon and Lauren Ulatoski-Root of Bellevue, her brother-in-law Justine Root and her nephew Aldous Root, also of Bellevue.
At Elise’s specific request, no formal services are planned, but she hopes her friends will remember her by donations to Overlake Cancer Auxiliary Foundation at 1035 116th NE, Bellevue, Wash. 98070 or the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation at 1900 Northlake Way, Suite 135, Seattle, Wash. 98103.
Elise will be greatly missed by all of her family and her many friends, including the canines in the family: Hobbs, Bear, Buckley, Hunter, Pepper and Rex.
de Steiguer, Allen Sunday, 13 Jun 2004
Allen B. de Steiguer, 90, passed away June 13, 2004 at his home on Vashon Island. Allen was born in San Marcos, Texas, March 2, 1914. A veteran of World War II, he served with the Ninth Air Force in France and Belgium.
A loving husband and father, Allen lived for 30 years in Lampasas, Texas, where he was a general contractor. His loving wife of 61 years, Cordie, and his son Allen L. de Steiguer of Vashon Island, his wife Bonnie and grandchildren Jacqueline, Alexandra, and Nicholas survive Mr. de Steiguer. A graveside service will be held on June 16, 2004 at the Vashon Island cemetery.
Bernita Falk Bacchus Coulter
1927-2004
Bernita Marie was the first-born child to Henry and Ersyle (Anderson) Falk of Thief River Falls, Minnesota. The family moved to Tacoma, Washington where Bernita graduated from Stadium High School, and later attended the College of Puget Sound.
Bernita met Sidney James Bacchus, whom she married
on August 16, 1950, in Sun Valley, Idaho. After their wedding, Bernita moved to Vashon Island, where Sid had grown up, and was co-owner of the Bacchus Lumber Co. Together, Sid and Bernita raised three sons and were active members of the Vashon community. They attended the Church of the Holy Spirit, and were founding members of the Vashon Island Country Club.
A dedicated mother and grandmother, Bernita also participated in many activities. She worked for the Vashon school district, enjoyed playing bridge with her girlfriends, and tending to her beautiful flower gardens.
She was classy, fun loving, loved to travel and was an avid Mariners baseball fan. Bernita, a breast cancer survivor, was awarded “Woman of the Year” by Swedish Hospital, for her tireless work for cancer research.
After Sid’s death, Bernita was successful in managing and operating the Bacchus Lumber Co., an established family business.
Bernita later married
Lee Coulter, a longtime friend, and they continued to live on Vashon.
After retiring from the lumber business, Bernita moved to Gig Harbor. She purchased an older house she immediately fell in love with. This house was on a hill overlooking the harbor, and after some of Bernita’s tender loving care, was transformed into a wonderful, country cottage.
Bernita died on May 25, surrounded by family, at her home that she loved so much.
Bernita’s friends would say that she was a very friendly person, easy to know and love, with a gift for great compassion. She will be remembered by friends and family alike for these great qualities. She was loved and will be greatly missed by her children and grandchildren: son Ladd, his wife, Sun, and daughters Kim and Stephanie, of Gig Harbor; son Randy, his wife, Suzie, and son Jesse, of Bend Oregon; son Brett, his wife, Stacy, and children Josh and Ellie, of Vashon; two brothers, Rolf H. Falk of Mill Creek, and Thomas P. Falk of Sandy, Oregon; and many dear and wonderful lifelong friends including sisters-in-law Darlene and Carol.
Family welcomes friends to attend a memorial service at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 4 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, located at 7701 Skansie Ave., Gig Harbor, 253-858-3777. Reception follows.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Franciscan Foundation, Hospice Care, P.O. Box 1502, Tacoma, WA 98401, Fred Hutchinson Cancer
Research Center, or to a charity of donor’s choice.
Fuller, Gloria Natalie Elmore Sunday, 30 May 2004
Gloria Natalie Elmore Fuller passed away May 30, 2004 at the age of 68. She was born in Spokane, WA, August 24, 1935 to William and Gladys Elmore.
Gloria grew up in Spokane and Vashon. She graduated from Vashon High School in 1953. In 1954 she married
George Fuller. She worked at K2 Corp. and Pacific Research. She was a PTA member, a Den Mother and very active member of the Vashon FOE#3144.
Some of Gloria’s favorite things to do were cooking fabulous meals for her family and friends, gardening, and spending time with people she loved. She was very well known for her impeccable wedding cakes. She will be remembered for her generous spirit and friendship to others.
Gloria was preceded in death by her father, William and brother Robert Elmore. She is survived by her life partner, George Fuller of Vashon; her mother, Gladys Elmore, Vashon; children, Steven (Megan) Fuller, Tacoma; Roy (Susan) Fuller, Twisp; David Fuller, Vashon; Susan (Doug) Hoffmann, Vashon; sisters Carol Cummings, Seattle; and Billie (William) Coomer, Raymond; grandsons Andrew Fuller, Paul Fuller, Tim Fuller, Jesse Fuller, Michael Hoffmann, Aunt Ora Belle Stolz, Spokane; Uncle Jerry Ewing, Spokane; and several cousins, nieces and nephews who will miss her dearly.
Remembrances may be sent to the Make A Wish Foundation through the Vashon Eagles and to the American Cancer Society.
A celebration of her life will be on June 13, 2004 from 12-2 p.m. at her home for family and close friends, or at the Vashon Eagles at 3 p.m.
Brenno, Harold Evans Friday, 28 May 2004
Harold Evans Brenno was born on May 27, 1910 in Valdez, Alaska. He passed away on Friday, May 28, 2004 at the Knipp Hopper Home, on Vashon. Harold was the youngest child of Halvor and Betty Brenno, hard working Norwegian immigrants.
Harold was eight when his parents decided to leave Valdez and move to Vashon Island, where other family and friends were already located.
He attended Vashon schools and picked berries in the summer with his brother, Mel and sister, Florence. He also worked many odd jobs around the island including, Saturdays at Hoshi’s green house and hauling wood for the school furnace.
Two-weeks into high school he quit and went to work for Zarth’s Garage at Center. Harold said, “They used to call Zarth’s the Peanut College, because they learned more there than at school.”
In 1926, he worked for Libby McNeil in Alaska. A few years later returning to Vashon and worked for Manson Construction.
In 1931, Harold returned to Alaska, this time to Juneau. His brother, Mel was working in Juneau at the time. Lawrence Scales stowed Harold away on a boat bound for Alaska. Upon reaching Juneau, he discovered jobs were difficult to find, but Mel said, “Go to the hiring man at the Juneau Mine and ask about insurance, he will give you a job in the mine.” It worked, besides hiring for the mine, the man earned extra money by selling insurance.
Arriving from Vashon was Harold’s sweetheart, Ione Bacon. They were married
on August 28, 1931. In 1934, they moved back to Vashon along with their son, Buddy (Harold Carl Brenno.)
Harold worked for the Puget Sound Depot and the WPA until he purchased Fred Stevenson’s gas station in 1937. Automobiles were always his passion, either owning or repairing, it did not matter whose he would be right there! He expanded the business to include a wrecker, auto parts and repair. From 1946 to 1948, he ran an ambulance service along with Brenno’s Service, offering around the clock emergency assistance.
In 1958, Harold was a charter member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He and the other members put in many hours helping to establish the Eagles on Vashon.
In 1976, Harold decided it was time to retire and explore other interest: family, traveling, and woodworking. Harold and Ione loved to spend time traveling and eventually bought a little one-bedroom hideaway in Index, WA.
By the time they sold it, it had three-bedrooms and a shop! He was always busy puttering around building something, an addition, a cabinet, or a child’s picnic table.
Ione was diagnosed with Alzheimer and he became her caregiver, until an operation forced him to relinquish the job. Ione was admitted into the Vashon Nursing Home. He visited her daily until she passed away in 1985.
Harold then became active in the Vashon Vagabonds and traveled on many RV trips with family and friends. During this time, he became acquainted with Adele Peck and they were married
while on a trip to Alaska in 1987.
Harold was predeceased by his wife Ione Brenno, a son Harold Carl “Buddy” Brenno, and on May 5, 2004 his brother, Melvin Brenno.
Survivors include his second wife, Adele Brenno; Children Bob and Diane Brenno; Betty (Brenno) and Bobby Lewis; George and Barbara Brenno, and Barbara (Brenno) and Kenneth Cooper all of Vashon; Thirteen grandchildren and Seventeen great grandchildren.
Memorials or remembrances may be made in his name to The Vashon-Maury Island Heritage Society, P.O. Box 723, Vashon, WA 98070. At his request, there will not be a memorial service.
Raab, Robert 'Tony' Anthony Thursday, 03 Jun 2004
Robert “Tony” Anthony Raab died June 3, 2004, at his home in Kent, Wash., after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 67 years old.
Mr. Raab was born March 8, 1937. He grew up on Vashon Island and graduated from Vashon High School. He attended college in California where he and his family lived part time for many years in Palm Springs.
He then moved to Billings, Mont., where he lived for more than 30 years.
He went to the Foster Tukwila Presbyterian Church.
His interests were in real estate for the last 14 years, including dealing, buying and selling cars and long-haul truck driving. He also enjoyed race cars.
Survivors include his sister Shirley Gray and her sons Lloyd and Wayne Raab, son Doug Raab, daughter Tony and husband Danny Schwarzman, son Brad and wife Michelle Middling, daughter Debbie and her husband David Long, daughter Linda and her husband Robert Elfstrom, daughter Candy and husband Jerry Hoeper, son Steve Middling, several grandchildren and many friends.
The family thanks the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center for the car and support and Kent Hospice of Seattle.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, June 11, at Island Funeral Service on Vashon.
A gathering will be at the Sportsmen’s Club after the service.
Memorials may be made to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
Swanson, Florence H. Sunday, 16 May 2004
Florence Hammerstrand Swanson died Sunday, May 16, 2004, in her own home on Vashon Island. She was 95 years old.
She moved to Vashon from Milwaukee, Wis., in November of 1996 to live near her daughters.
Her late husband, Vernon A. Swanson, an attorney with the law firm Foley and Lardner, described her as “a gentle woman with a great sense of humor.”
Survivors include her two daughters, who were with her when she died, Mary Swanson of Vashon Island and Ann Swanson Vanderbilt of Ketchum, Idaho.
Remembrances can be made to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin at the following address: Children’s Hospital and Health System Foundation, Bin 825, Milwaukee, Wis. 53288-0825.
Rumberg, Gary Sunday, 07 May 2006
Gary Rumberg died May 7, 2006.
For information on services, call Island Funeral Service at 463-9300.
Dorfman, Samuel Braverman Friday, 05 May 2006
Samuel Braverman Dorfman died May 5, 2006, at Swedish Hospital in Seattle. He was 91 years old.
Mr. Dorfman was born Aug. 5, 1914, to Hiyam and Rachel Dorfman in Chicago, Ill. He was the youngest of eight children.
His first wife Telsa (Perlman) died in 1971 and his second wife, Charlotte (Greenberg) died in 2001. His siblings also died.
Mr. Dorfman graduated in 1933 from John Marshall High School and studied accounting at Northwestern University in Chicago. He served in the Navy and was stationed primarily in Seattle and Hawaii during World War II.
Always a great athlete and avid sports fan, he delighted in telling stories of being the catcher on the Navy baseball team. He moved to Oak Park, Ill., and was vice president of Iroquois Scrap and Metal until he retired and moved to Santa Barbara, Calif.
He was an active Temple member both in Oak Park and Santa Barbara. He enjoyed his Yiddish club and swimming at the YMCA.
He relished taking classes and at the age of 91 was still using and upgrading his computer to do on-line banking, e-mailing and reading the news.
In 2005, he moved to Vashon Island to be near his daughter and granddaughter.
Although the weather was not nearly as warm and sunny as Santa Barbara, he quickly adapted to his new Island home, becoming an integral part of the community.
He enjoyed his water aerobics class and meeting with friends. He moved well from being a loyal White Sox fan, and finally got to see them win the World Series, to enjoying the Mariners as well as the Huskies. Sam always read his daily paper so he could follow the sports scores and monitor stock prices.
Everywhere he went he made friends. He had a twinkle in his eye, a gentleman’s demeanor and the ability to tell a good story. He endeared himself to everyone he met and leaves behind many close friends and family across the country.
Survivors include his son Fred and wife Susan and their son Blake of New York City and daughter Louise Olsen and her daughter Timia of Vashon Island. Stepsons Brent and Mark Greenberg and their families of Chicago, Ill. and Stewart, Fla. also survive him.
A memorial service will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 10, at the Vashon Island Havurat Ee Shalom building on Westside Highway.
Donations may be given in his honor to the Samuel Dorfman Memorial Fund care of Havurat Ee Shalom, P.O. Box 89, Vashon Island, Wash., 98070.
