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Sharon Marie Maya
1945 — 2015
Sharon was born in Chicago, Ill. and was raised in Whiting and Munster Indiana. She was the daughter of deceased parents Stanley and Mary Shatuck.
Sharon met her husband at Hammond High School in Hammond, Indiana in January 1961. Her husband John remembers it took six weeks after meeting Sharon to talk her into a date.
Her wealthy boyfriend at the time routinely bought her lobster dinners on dates. Sharon really, really loved lobster so it required some thought on her part to consent.
What won her over was their strong mutual attraction, shared life values and common interests such as their love of Broadway and show music. While Sharon was still dating the old boyfriend, John started picking Sharon up and driving her to school. This gave him and extra 45 minutes with her daily. The old boyfriend found out, confronted Sharon and she made her decision to start dating John.
From the day they met, her husband was enchanted by her sparkling personality and beauty. Despite being 15 and 17, deep love between them grew quickly and their devotion to each other never wavered in the 54 years they were together.
At 21 and 18, John and Sharon were married
on Sept. 12, 1964 in Munster, Ind. They planned and financed their own wedding because of objections to the wedding from Sharon's parents. After the wedding they immediately moved to Bloomington, Ind., where John attended Indiana University.
While in Bloomington, Sharon worked as the receptionist for the Indiana Athletic Department and was the secretary and administration assistant at the Indiana University Presbyterian Chapel.
After John finished his degree, they moved to Columbia, Ill., where John worked as a cartographer and programmer for the defense department. Sharon raised son Douglas and daughter Cathy and routinely hosted other neighborhood children at their home. She was the local mom who took it upon herself to take the children and their friends to movies, theatrical productions, zoos, amusements parks, etc.
Her long history of volunteering also started in Columbia. She was president of the local American Sewing Guild and a county home extension chapter. She was also a board member of the County Mental Health Association and the County Home Extension. Part-time jobs in Illinois included serving as a teaching assistant for special needs children and being a secretary for a psychologist at a mental health facility.
In October of 2000, Sharon and John moved to San Juan Island. Soon after Sharon started the “San Juan Sew and Sew's.” The group conducted local sewing classes for adults and children.
Through these classes, Sharon realized that she was passionate about teaching. In 2002, Sharon joined the Snohomish County Clothing and Textile Advisers, a group that promotes sewing and sewing education. Through the CTA group, Sharon greatly enhanced her sewing and teaching skills. Sharon also joined and served as a board member of The Rain Shadow Quilting group.
In 2006, she was asked if her local sewing group would help teach fiber arts at the Friday Harbor High School during winter term. Sharon accepted the challenge and the Sew-and-Sew's helped teach winter term until the program was canceled by the school district in 2009.
After 2009, Sharon's group began an after-school program at the middle school. The program continued for four years. During this time the group also taught grade school and Island Rec summer sewing programs. In 2012, while receiving chemo, she taught the Island Rec class with a broken leg caused by cancer.
For the past several years Sharon also acted as a mentor for high school girls doing community projects. The projects included making cloth mammogram capes for the local hospital, chemo caps for cancer treatment facilities and blankets and pillow cases for children's hospitals.
Following the spring semester of 2013, her group lost the use of their room at the middle school. A much smaller room was donated by a local business man.
Sharon and friends continued to teach children and adults until she was sidelined by cancer and cellulitis infections in August, 2014. Even then she continued helping friends at her home and in care facilities until a few days before she died.
During her time on the island, Sharon additionally served as a teen mentor, judged 4H sewing and appeared in a small role in “Fiddler on the Roof.” She also sewed for many shows at the community theater. In 2014, her dog, Bogey, was asked to play the part of Sandy the Dog in Annie. The Maya's all loved their contribution to the musical during her short respite from medical treatment.
After fighting two cancers and its horrible side-effects for three years, Sharon died May 15.
Many friends and family members were with her for her final few days, including her husband, son Doug, brother Larry, brother-in-law Jim, sisters-in-law Kim and Carolee, niece Jessica, nephew Josh and one very special Australian Shepherd named Bogey.
Sharon will be remembered for her devotion to the local community she loved, her charity work, her warm and vibrant personality and devotion and love for friends and family. Sharon never met a stranger and she had the unique ability to make people she just met feel as though they had been best friends for years.
A ceremony to honor Sharon will be held at the San Juan Community Theatre Sunday, May 31 at 2 p.m. The community is invited.
— Family of Sharon Maya
Victor George Wold
1950 — 2014
Victor George Wold, 63, of Red Wing, Minn. passed away unexpectedly on May 14, 2014, at the Ole Miss Marina in Red Wing.
Victor is survived by his wife, Judith (Jacobi); sons Adam (Minn.) and Aaron (S.C.); brother Jeffrey (Friday Harbor); three stepchildren Stephen (Texas), Dione (Iowa), and Kathleen (Minn.); 10 step-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren.
Victor spent summers on the island during his youth. Some of his fondest memories were of growing up here. A family memorial gathering was held on Tuesday, June 9, 2015, at the family home, 4797 Pear Point Rd., in Friday Harbor.
— Family of Victor Wold
Eldon Dale Neal
February 25, 1933 — May 8, 2015
Eldon Dale Neal, 82, passed away quietly at his home on Orcas Island, Wash., on Friday, May 8, 2015 with family present.
He was born Feb. 25, 1933 in Abilene, Kan., the son of Daniel L. Neal and Nellie Louise Neaderhiser.
At an early age Eldon and his family moved to Alhambra, Calif., and then to Bend, Ore., where he attended and graduated from Bend High School at the age of 18. While still in high school, at age 17, Eldon was accepted to join the Army Reserve and went to Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash., for training. After graduating from high school he signed up for the regular Army and served in Korea as an architect with secret service credentials in design of airfields in Korea for daily reconnaissance information for service commanders. Ranking as a staff sergeant, Eldon stood up in the Signal Corps and was the designer of his Signal Corps unit’s shoulder patch insignia that is still used to this day. He also spent time in several places in Japan, including Hiroshima and Tokyo.
Serving from 1950 to 1955, Eldon was “forever proud” to be a Korean War veteran. After serving in Korea, he was stationed at Camp Claybanks on the shores of Lake Michigan.
While in the service, Eldon had saved enough money for a 1954 Chevy Bel Air. He had his father order it and when he arrived back he drove to Kalamazoo, Mich., to pick up his new car.
On weekend leave he was a hired-hand on the Gowell Family Farm in Rothbury, Mich., assisting with bailing and packing hay into the barns. There Eldon met and married
Valda Pearl Gowell, and they moved out to Bend, Ore., to be with his family. They had two sons, Murray and Michael.
In 1966, Eldon moved to Orcas Island, Wash., to work with his father and brother in the construction business. He owned Edelweiss Construction, a construction and building repair business on Orcas Island until his retirement. Eldon had a passion his whole life for serving the Catholic Church, from his childhood days as an altar boy in Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, Los Angeles, Calif., to assisting up to the time of his death with church duties in the St. Francis Parish, where he was a very active member. Eldon was instrumental in building the new St. Francis Church in Eastsound, Wash.
His hobbies included gardening, wood working and building miniature scale models of boats and waterfront houses. He especially enjoyed his annual cruise on Holland America Lines with his mother and his morning coffee with friends at the Island Market in Eastsound.
Eldon was preceded in death by his father Daniel L. Neal and mother Nellie L. Neaderhiser. Survivors include his sons, Murray L. Neal and wife Lisa and grandson Bradley residing in Ariz., and Michael L. Neal and wife, Ellen, and their sons, Kenneth, Daniel and Jacob and wife Shannon all residing in Virginia; brother Dennis L. Neal and wife Patricia; nephew Denis D. Neal Jr. and wife Kateri and their eight children; and his morning coffee buddies all residing in Wash.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at St. Francis Catholic Church, Eastsound, Wash. Following cremation, a graveside interment will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, May 28, 2015 at Mount Baker cemetery, Eastsound, Wash.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Francis Catholic Church, PO Box 1489, Friday Harbor, WA 98250, noting “Orcas Church” with your contribution.
Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Anacortes, Wash., and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Eldon, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com
— Family of Eldon Neal
Killion, Sandra
Sandra Jean Killion, 69, of Friday Harbor, WA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 21, 2016 with her family by her side.
She was born December 28, 1946, in Grand Rapids Minnesota to Robert and Irene Eklund. In 1965, Sandra graduated with honors from La Serna High School in Whittier, CA. She received her Bachelors of Fine Arts from Arizona State University at Tempe, Arizona and her Education Credential
from Whittier College in California. Sandra worked as an elementary school teacher for nine years until her marriage to Mike Killion of Laguna Beach, CA where they resided for 21 years. They were married
for 38 blissful years that
included traveling, boating and camping. They moved to Sun Valley, Idaho where they delighted in skiing and the sporting life. They resumed their love of boating in the Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, and that lured them to make the move to Friday Harbor.
Sandra enjoyed tennis, golf, cooking, knitting, gardening, architecture and music appreciation. She was a volunteer and actor with the San Juan Community Theater where she took the comedic role of “Cookie” in Neil Simon’s play, “Rumors”. She had an immense appreciation for being on stage.
Sandra battled breast cancer for 30 years. She is survived by her husband, Mike Killion of Friday Harbor, her sister, Cynthia Eklund of Temecula, CA, her niece Gwen (Chad) of San Diego, CA and her nephew Erik Hughes of Park Rapids, MN.
A memorial service for Sandy will be held at noon, Sunday, April 3, 2016 at the San Juan Community Theater in Friday Harbor.
Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands.
To share memories of Sandra, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.
Smith, Jo Ann
Jo Ann T. Smith, 83, of Friday Harbor, WA, passed away on Monday, February 15, 2016, at the Life Care Center of San Juan after a long battle with C.O.P.D.
She was born on February 4, 1933, in Sacramento, CA, the daughter of Luther and Bernice (Taylor) Fogerty.
Jo Ann leaves behind her husband, Ralph of 64 years. She is survived by three boys, Wayne of Beaverton, OR, Mark of Tucson, AZ, and Douglas of Oroville, CA, along with 10 grandchildren.
Jo Ann was a resident of Friday Harbor, WA for 23 years after living in California, Idaho, Maryland, Georgia and Oregon.
All this was following her husband’s company transfers.
She will be sorely missed by her husband and extended family.
There will be no service, just a remembrance of her life on earth.
Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands.
To share memories of Jo Ann, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.
Hastings, Nelda Thursday, 04 Feb 2016 Journal of the San Juans Friday Harbor Photo of Hastings, Nelda Nelda Hastings, longtime Friday Harbor resident, passed away on Feb. 4, 2016.
A Memorial Celebration of Life service will be held at St. David’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. We encourage bright colors in celebration of Nelda’s life.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to Nelda’s favorite charity - Lutheran World Relief https://web.archive.org/web/20160314224406/https://lwr.org/donate/waystogive
Lynette Marie Leaf
June 26, 1924 to Feb. 2, 2016
Lynette Marie Leaf (nee Davis), 91, longtime resident of Lopez Island, Wash. died peacefully on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016 in the Hamlet House Retirement Home on Lopez Island.
She was born on June 26, 1924 in Bellingham, Washington the daughter of Leonard and Marie Davis of Lopez Island and was baptized at the age of ten. The Davis family was among the original settlers on Lopez Island and her grandfather was the first non-native child born on the island. Prior to her retirement Lynette and Wally lived in Beaverton, Ore., where they worked and raised their family. She was a legal secretary in her husband’s law firm and also had a keen interest in real estate, purchasing and managing their investment properties. She continued that interest throughout her life.
Lynette had the gift of hospitality and opened her home to everyone. She was a great cook and many people enjoyed her gracious meals. Her love had no borders and her door was always open to people from far and near. Above all, Lynette loved her family.
She was active in the AFS Foreign Exchange program, the Lopez Island Yacht Club, the PEO Sisterhood and the Lopez Community Church. Lynette had a high value for education and proudly displayed the degrees and certificates of all the family in her home. As an avid Scrabble player she enjoyed a daily game until the end of her life.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wally Leaf, in 1995 and her brother, Gary Davis, in 2015. Lynette is survived by her daughters, Linaya Leaf of Billings, Mont. (children, Aaron and Danica), Linda Gleeson of La Grande, Ore. (husband, Timothy, and children, Jessica, Holland and Kimberly), her AFS daughter, Eila Chisholm of Lake Oswego, Ore. (husband, Craig, and children, Kari, Jori, Inkeri, Mairi and Suvi) and 13 great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests that remembrances be contributions to the Lopez Island Emergency Medical Team, the Lopez Island Medical Center, the Hamlet House on Lopez Island or the Lopez Community Church. Lynette was buried on Feb. 6 in the Davis-Leaf family plot on Lopez Island.
A memorial celebration of her life is planned for the Fourth of July weekend on Lopez Island and everyone is welcome. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, Wash. and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Lynette, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.
Lyons Ramirez, Ruthe
Ruthe Lyons Ramirez died peacefully on Jan. 31st after a long struggle with cancer. Her last days were spent in the Peace Island Hospital surrounded by loving family and friends.
Ruthe is survived by her children and their families; Shelle and Ellis Cropper of Friday Harbor, Becky and Peter Kilpatrick Of Friday Harbor; Kim and Dorothy Lyons of Olympia and Katie and Ted Dillery of Friday Harbor, her daughter-in-law Rhonda Lyons and her grandchildren Isla and Sky Cropper, Madeline and Adrian Kilpatrick, Hillary and Drew Lyons and Madison, Sophia and Ben Dillery and her brother Rob Lewis of Mercer Island. She was predeceased by her children’s father, John Lyons and her husband Robert Ramirez, her son Bill Lyons, her parents Ruth and Porter Lewis, her aunt and uncle, Bill and Adelaide Kimball and her sister Mary Lewis Blair.
Ruthe was born in Seattle on March 19th, 1930. She spent the first 10 years of her life in the Greenlake district of Seattle and on the Olympic Peninsula. Her parents then moved the family to Mercer Island. She attended Bellevue High School and the University of Washington. She joined her Aunt Alice in Hawaii before marrying John Lyons. She raised her children on Mercer Island before moving to San Juan Island in the 1980’s.
From the time her daughters were young, Ruthe was active in girl scouts. She was a co-leader and volunteered at a Girl Scout day camp in Issaquah, Washington, where she was known to multiple years of campers as “Crafty”. She enjoyed silk screen design and made her own Christmas cards for many years. She loved cooking and followed Julia Child, reproducing many of her signature dishes.
She subscribed to Gourmet magazine and wall papered her kitchen with the iconic covers.
She enjoyed kayaking and had a river kayak and an ocean kayak.
She loved being on the water and enjoyed wonderful trips through the San Juan and Gulf Islands. Ruthe spent many winters in Mexico. She loved the little town of Santiago on Manzanillo Bay and has many friends there.
If there could be a posthumous award for lifetime volunteer in multiple venues, Ruthe would be overly qualified.
She volunteered at St. Francis Catholic Church in many capacities including Eucharistic minister and in the women’s guild. She brought cookies and conversation to the residents at the Life Care Center of the San Juan’s, two or three times a week.
She enjoyed showing tourists and residents the house and grounds at the Historical Museum. She volunteered for Hospice of San Juan Island and helped out at the Mullis Center breakfasts.
Every time someone helped her, whether it was the people loading the ferry or the doctors at the cancer care facility or the guy who put air in her car’s tires, she brought them cookies, See’s candy, donuts or a couple jars of jam.
It will take many members of our community to fill the gap she has left.
Last but not least, Ruthe left behind friends who loved her. There are so many people who helped her through the ordeal of doctors, hospitals and procedures these last couple of years. She loved and depended on all of you.
The family wants to thank each of you and the nurses at Peace Island Hospital, who made her last days so peaceful.
There will be a celebration of her life at The Brickworks on Saturday, February 20th at 1 o’clock.
Marler, Steve
It is with deepest sorrow that we at San Juan District 3 Fire Department inform you of the passing of our beloved Fire Chief, Steve Marler, on January 28, 2016.
Originally from BC, Canada, Steve moved to California as a child and slowly gained interest in firefighting. He attended Columbia Junior College to study fire science. Upon program completion in 1979 he became the only paid firefighter for the Ceres Fire Department. Steve quickly became enamored with one of his dispatchers and married
Karen Carson on March 20, 1982. “I married
her because she told me where to go”.
Steve and Karen moved to Sonoma after falling in love with the area while on vacation. Chief Marler was hired as full-time Fire Captain to serve as the City of Sonoma’s Fire Marshal on September 16, 1983. Steve was promoted to Assistant Chief in 1990 and was later reclassified as a Division Chief upon the formation of the Sonoma Valley Fire & Rescue Authority. Steve also helped start the “Are you OK?” program to check on seniors and served as the Interim Fire Chief until his departure in August 2007.
The Marlers moved to Friday Harbor, WA where Steve became the Fire Chief of San Juan District 3 Fire Department. He loved being part of a small, volunteer-driven department again. Under Chief Marler’s command the Friday Harbor and District Fire Departments merged to become the San Juan County District 3 Fire Department to serve the entirety of San Juan Island and surrounding outer islands. Chief Marler also oversaw the purchasing of a complete new fleet of fire engines without having to rely on taxpayers for additional funding. Chief Marler was a true advocate for Volunteer Firefighters, a pioneer in residential sprinkler system ordinances, and served with calming leadership in all his endeavors.
A memorial service celebrating Steve’s life will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2016 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Station 31 Fire Station, 1011 Mullis Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. The memorial will be a potluck (Steve’s favorite type of gathering); please bring a dish to share if desired. All attendees are encouraged to wear dark pants and a “loud” shirt.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Fire Science Scholarship Fund through the San Juan Island Firefighter’s Association, also located at 1011 Mullis St, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.
