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Britz, Patricia Tuesday, 27 Aug 2002
Patricia Bradley Britz was killed in a car accident near Sequim, Wash. on Aug. 27 while moving to her new house. At the family’s request, in lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund in her name is being set up at Washington Mutual Bank to honor her love of education. A celebration of life in Pat’s memory will be held at the Barnworks, 12122 S.W. Cove Road on Sept. 14. A full obituary will follow soon.
Stone, Elizabeth Friday, 23 Aug 2002
Elizabeth (Betty) H. Stone died at the Vashon Community Care Center on Friday, Aug. 23.
Ms. Stone was born in Oklahoma Sept. 24, 1916, and moved from Tulsa to Vashon in 1975.
She continued her work as a Traveler’s Insurance agent during her first few years on the island.
She made friends amongst her church community and through her involvement with the Garden Club.
Everyone who knew her appreciated Betty as a stylish lady with a good sense of humor.
She was preceded in death (August 1993) by her sister Jeanne Collins, who had settled on Vashon in 1973.
Ms. Stone is also survived by a son, Stewart Warren, who resides in Colorado. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated for Betty at St. John Vianney Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Sept. 5.
Bob, Pottschmidt Friday, 12 Jul 2002
Friends, fishermen and close family members gathered on the aft deck of the F/V Paragon, Sept.14, 2002, to celebrate life and say their last good-byes to Bob Pottschmidt, who died of cancer July 12, 2002, in Des Moines.
Bob was born in Indonesia Sept. 14, 1946. He would have been 56 years old that Saturday, and the sun shone brightly on several dozen guests who scattered flowers and garlands into the West Passage near Vashon Island to accompany his ashes, then raised their cups and their voices in his honor.
It was a fitting memorial for a man who had devoted such a large part of his life to commercial fishing, to flying small aircraft and to the out of doors. He was a founder of the Bristol Bay Driftnetters’ Association, and he chased salmon, herring, squid, tuna and brine shrimp from Norton Sound to San Pedro to Hawaii.
Fishermen who shared the remote waters of Alaska with Pottschmidt, and others who fished along side him in Puget Sound and even the Great Salt Lake, recalled story after story that echoed their common appreciation for a friend who was always there to help, and who also had an uncanny knack for showing up just in time for dinner.
His laughter may have surprised those who knew him from afar and saw only the curmudgeon’s image that he worked so hard to cultivate. Tilted forward from the waist with his thumbs in his pockets and head cocked to one side, he was a formidable character in his crusty hat, poker face and fisherman’s garb. But beneath his hard shell was a keen intellect, a generous soul and a vulnerable heart that touched those who knew him, friends say.
He was a voracious reader, who would stay up all night to finish a book. He was anxious to share what he’d gleaned from its pages, and he glowed when someone actually followed through and read one of his many recommendations, they said.
Complex in thought, he lived simply, often oblivious to personal creature comforts, yet he was finely tuned when it came to the boats he fished, the airplanes he flew and the firearms he collected and enjoyed.
As a cook, he was both a dictator and an artist in the kitchen. As a guest, he knew that food was for the eating. As a friend, he was quick to share his knowledge, his insight and his skill.
Survivors include his twin daughters, Juna Pottschmidt of Anchorage, Alaska, and Holly Morales of Portland, Ore., who shared his last hours.
His ashes were scattered as family and friends listened to the words of those who loved him.
Arnott, Marie Doroschenco Tuesday, 04 Jun 2002
Marie Doroshenco Arnott, Vashon resident for 50 years, died Tuesday, June 4, 2002, at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle. She was 94 years old.
Mrs. Arnott was born in Vladivostock, Russia, Aug. 4, 1907, to Luchia Sharaboff and Vecheslav Arkady Doroshenco. The first two years of her life she lived with her grandparents, General and Mrs. Sharaboff in Ufa in the West Ural Mountains. She joined her mother and father, an inventor and engineer with the Russian Railroad. They lived in Harbin, China and Vladivastock, where she remembered watching the historic battle of Vladivostock across the river from her home as a child.
During the Russian Revolution she and her mother emigrated to Vancouver, Canada.
She graduated from Nursing School at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. In 1934 Marie married
Bill Arnott.
During the six years he served as a Captain in the Canadian Army in World War II, she was an interpreter and nurse. After he returned from the war, they moved to Seattle and he became an owner of Northwest Lighting Services.
In 1952 they moved to Vashon where Marie was active in Orthopedic Society, President of the Vashon Golf and Country Club Women’s group and docent at the Seattle Art Museum. She enjoyed cooking traditional Russian dishes for friends, and playing card games at their home at the present Fern Cove Preserve.
Her mother and husband both died in 1967.
Survivors include her cat Tom-Tom who needs a new home. Contact Vashon Island Pet Protectors at 389-1085.
A Panihida Service will be conducted by Hieromonk Tryphon at 11:30 p.m. Saturday, June 15, at All-Merciful Savior Russian Orthodox Monastery on Vashon Island 9933 S.W. 268th St. Dockton, Wash. 98070.
Rememberances may be made to the Monastery.
Kihiczak, Michael Thursday, 23 May 2002
Michael Kihiczak, of Vashon Island, died Thursday, May 23, 2002, at Swedish Hospital Medical Center in Seattle. He was 87 years of age.
Mr. Kihiczak was born on March 5, 1915, in the Ukraine, the son of Theodore and Theodosia Kihiczak. He was raised in Pidbuzh, Ukraine, where he attended school.
Mr. Kihiczak moved to the United States in 1951 and married
Melanie Sczyra in 1964 in Cleveland, Ohio. He was employed as an inspector for the Ford Motor Company in Cleveland for 30 years, retiring in 1980. That same year he and his wife moved to Vashon Island.
Mr. Kihiczak was a member of the Ukrainian National Association, and in his leisure time enjoyed reading and was known for his good sense of humor.
Survivors include his wife Melanie, of Vashon Island; a daughter Dr. Luba Kihiczak, of Issaquah; one sister Stephanie Pitsur, of Ukraine; and a grandson Alex Birkland, of Issaquah.
A funeral mass was May 31, at St. James Cathedral, 804 9th Ave, Seattle, Wash.
A committal service was at Upper Hillside cemetery in Issaquah.
Arrangements were under the direction of Flintoft’s Issaquah Funeral Home.
Belfrage, Christopher Evan Saturday, 18 May 2002
Christopher Evan Belfrage, a lifelong islander, died May 18, 2002, in a vehicle accident on Vashon Island. He was 33 years old.
Mr. Belfrage was born April 26, 1969, in Seattle.
He attended island schools, winning a wrestling medal before graduating from Vashon High School in 1988.
Following high school, he worked for Olsen’s Concrete Pumping and Construction, K2, Vashon Auto Parts, Miles Towing and Engels Repair and Towing.
Friends and family recall how he loved all things related to the outdoors and to vehicles. He spent many of his happiest times camping, snow boarding, fishing, jet skiing, riding his motorcycle or with his cars.
Survivors include his mother, Michelle Sigler and husband David of Vashon, father Evan Belfrage and wife Christine of Bel Aire, Md., a sister Holly Dunham of Snohomish, a brother, Stephen Belfrage of Aberdeen, Md., grandparents Kenneth and June Brooks of Vashon, stepsisters, Michele and Tina Sigler and another stepsister Tina, and step brothers David Sigler, Joe, nieces Jaquelyn and Jennifer Dunham, as well as a nephew Daniel Belfrage.
His family and many friends will always remember and miss him.
Oakley, Kate Bronwyn Sunday, 12 May 2002
Kate Bronwyn Oakley died unexpectedly May 12, 2002. She was 24 years old.
She was born July 16, 1977, in Bellingham.
Ms. Oakley graduated from Olympia High School in 1995 and was a student at South Seattle Community College when she died. She loved books, music and film, and was a active member of the Seattle Unitarian Universalist Young Adult Group.
Ms. Oakley spent summers on Vashon with relatives.
Survivors include her father Glen “Hogie” Oakley, and sister Erica West and brother Daniel West, all of Vashon; mother Drew Lenore Betz, stepfather Michael Betz, and brother Ben Betz, all of Bellingham; a sister Tiffany Oakley, of Point Roberts; numerous cousins, aunts and uncles. Her surviving grandparents are Donna and Jim Daulph of Bellingham and Madelon Oakley of White Center.
A memorial service was last Saturday.
Remembrances may be made to Kate Bronwyn Oakley Memorial Account, Whatcom Educational Credit Union, P.O. Box 9750, Bellingham, Wash. 98227 or White Center Library Guild, c/o Pauline M. Warden, Manager, White Center Library, 11220 16th Ave. S.W., Seattle, Wash. 98146.
Hansen, Cynthia Lynn Monday, 23 Feb 2004
Cynthia Lynn Hansen died Feb. 23, 2004. She was 49 years old.
Cindy was born Feb. 10, 1955, in West Point, Neb., and grew up in Auburn, and lived at her parents Vashon home during her last year of High School. There she met her future husband Glenn.
Her friends and family say she was intelligent, compassionate, generous, and always thought of others before herself.
Pregnant with her only child during nursing school, she was diagnosed with kidney disease. For the next 24 years she led a strict life off the donor list, giving others a chance at life.
She supported and was active in all parts of her family, touched many lives through her years as registered nurse, home health care provider, and involved school parent. She also kept score for teams — from T-ball to high school water polo. Cindy never missed an activity.
Survivors include her husband Glenn, son Bryan, father Wayne Bishop, sister Rindelle, Ila Jane, who was like the daughter she never had, nephew Beau, and friend Kristen Nelson.
Her mother Carol Bishop died earlier.
Her friends and family say they will miss her guidance, positive thinking, and gentle nature.
She was buried in Vashon cemetery.
Arrangements were entrusted to Island Funeral Service.
Noel, Edith JoAnn Wednesday, 28 Jan 2004
Edith JoAnn Noel died Jan. 28, 2004, at an adult family home in Gig Harbor after a three-year battle with breast cancer. She was 71 years old.
She lived independently up until the last two weeks of her life.
Ms. Noel was a longtime resident of Vashon and the Puget Sound region.
She was born Sept. 16, 1932, in California, and moved to Vashon as a young girl. JoAnn was the daughter of Robert Underwood Bonnar and Virginia Beall Bonnar of the Beall Greenhouses family. She graduated from The Annie Wright School in Tacoma and attended the University of Washington.
She held positions as a bookkeeper, real estate agent and investment loan officer. She was an avid reader of mysteries, eater of candy and lover of cats. Ms. Noel enjoyed the ballet, repertory theater, musicals, and she was an intrepid world traveler.
She was also very involved with her four granddaughters, who will miss story time with Grandma.
Survivors include two daughters Carol Noel and Tricia Taylor; four granddaughters; four Bonnar half-siblings in California and Beall relations of Vashon and the Puget Sound region.
Ms. Noel was buried in the Vashon cemetery on Jan. 31 after a brief memorial attended by immediate family.
Hitch, Lonnie Bruce Thursday, 19 Feb 2004
Lonnie Bruce Hitch died Feb. 19, 2004, at Harborview Medical Center after a brief illness. He was 51 years old.
Mr. Hitch was an employee at Camp Burton.
Survivors include a son David Hitch, and a daughter Shannon Hitch, and four grandchildren, Juliette, Jasmin and Christopher Chesterfield and Kendal Hitch.
Other survivors include his mother Helen Hitch and seven siblings, Nancy Cook, Bob, Steve, John, Terrie, Gordon and Greg Hitch.
Mr. Hitch had an extended family.
Services will be at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.
A reception will follow at Camp Burton Lodge at 5:30.
Arrangements were entrusted to Island Funeral Service.
Catherine M. Barr, 89
Catherine M. Barr died Feb. 4, 2004, at the Vashon Community Care Center. She was 90 years old.
She was born Nov. 5, 1913, in Lewistown, Mt., and lived there until 1990 when she moved to Spokane to be with her daughter, Cathie Fisher.
When Cathie was transferred to Seattle, she and Catherine moved to Vashon Island. Catherine was active in the Time Out Adult Day Care program and attended luncheons at the Senior Center.
She became a resident at the Vashon Community Care Center in December, 1998 after suffering several small strokes.
Mrs. Barr was active in the Presbyterian Church in Lewistown and served as Elder and church secretary. She also worked as bookkeeper at Lewistown Cycle and Marine and eventually became owner. She loved gardening, sewing, knitting, and many other crafts. She was also an accomplished artist in oils and watercolors.
A brother, Robert Taylor, former husband Philip F. Barr, and sons William and Philip T. Barr all died earlier.
Survivors include her son, John R. Barr of Barrington, Illinois, her daughter Cathie Fisher of Vashon, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Services for Catherine will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, 15420 Vashon Highway S.W., Vashon, where her daughter is the Director of Music.
