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Victoria Smith
May 19, 1935 — May 12, 2006
Victoria Smith died peacefully in the home she loved and shared with her husband, Alan. She was a wife, mother and grandmother.
Victoria was a woman born with more ambition than 10 women put together. She lived life to the fullest.Â
She enjoyed doing so many things, especially creating things with her hands, such as stained glass, (her home was filled with beautiful stained-glass windows and lamps). She loved pottery and book binding and scuba diving, snow skiing, ice skating and riding horses with her girlfriends in Friday Harbor.
Victoria lived in Seattle, Wash., for most of her life. She and her husband, Alan, moved to San Juan Island in 1997. They shared their time between their home at Eagle Cove and their second home, in Yuma, Ariz. They had recently purchased a big truck and camper, hoping to do a lot of traveling.Â
Victoria was always challenging herself. In her 50s, she decided she wanted to become a pilot and get her pilot’s license. So she did, and even received her commercial license. She purchased her own Cessna 172, which she flew all over — to Mexico, to Roche Harbor, or just to fly her granddaughter, Shauna, to Bremerton to get an ice cream cone.
Victoria spoke fluent Russian, Portuguese and Spanish and was learning French. In the early 80s, she took a leave of absence from her job as a bookbinder, and got a real estate license and sold real estate for one year. She was also a ham radio operator using Morse Code.
Victoria is survived by her husband of 43 years, Alan; her sons, Michael Stempak, of La Conner, Wash., and Tony Stempak of Seattle, Wash.; and Tony’s children: son, Anthony George, and daughter, Shauna Nicole. Shauna would have given Victoria her first great-grandchild in November.
Victoria is also survived by her beloved Pups, Bonnie and Tika.
Victoria will be deeply missed by all the many friends and family who knew and loved her.
“Bye, bye, Mama.”
— Family of Victoria Smith
Peter Michael Joseph
Born Sept 25, 1986 in Spokane, departed this life March 29, 2006 at age 19 1/2.
Peter is survived by his mother and stepfather, Maria Joseph and Bill Hendershott, of Spokane; father and stepmother, Dennis and Dana Louthan, of Lynden (formerly of Friday Harbor); half-brother, Craig Leo Louthan; four uncles, three aunts, nine cousins and three paternal grandparents.
Peter enjoyed spending time in Friday Harbor during summers and holidays, especially since his little brother, Craig, lived there. He made some close friends in the family neighborhood and also at youth group functions at Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Peter J. and Ilah Joseph of Elkins, W.Va.; his paternal grandmother, Arlene Rock, of Seiling, Okla.; and half-brother, Ronnie Roy Louthan II.
Services were held in Spokane on May 6 and in Elkins, W.Va., where he had been a resident for a time and where he was buried on May 13.
He was dearly loved. He blessed our lives and we will miss him very much but will hold him forever close in our hearts.
— Peter Michael Joseph family
Patrick O'Mara
Memorial service for Patrick O'Mara is Jan. 28, 1 p.m., at Valley cemetery. A potluck will follow at the American Legion.
O’Mara died late Jan. 14 or early Jan. 15 in a single-vehicle collision on West Valley Road.
O’Mara was 54. O’Mara’s vehicle was found upside-down Jan. 15 at 10 a.m. partially submerged in a small marsh near Raven Ridge Road.
O’Mara was found strapped in his seat; he is believed to have drowned. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death. No evidence of drugs or alcohol were found at the scene, according to Sheriff Bill Cumming, though a toxicology screening is scheduled as a matter of standard practice.
O’Mara is survived by his father, John O’Mara, of Lynnwood; and sister Joyce, of Oregon.
O’Mara was born Aug. 3, 1951, in Seattle. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and, according to his father, moved to San Juan Island to be closer to a dear friend.
O’Mara was an employee of Islands Convalescent Center for the past 11 years and was chaplain at the American Legion Post 163 the past four years.
Curt VanHyning, admissions director of the convalescent center, said O’Mara won the center’s monthly service award — called “Whatever It Takes” — two or three times.
“What I noticed over the last several years, Patrick became more and more aware of others, placing the needs of the community above even his own needs, ” VanHyning said.
“Patrick’s biggest community service, however, was as chaplain at the American Legion.”
“He was the nicest guy I’ve ever met, ” says Karl Mueller, commander of American Legion Post 163. “I lost one of my best friends in that fella. The community, the Legion and the convalescent center have really lost a great person.
“If you were sick he’d drive a hundred miles to bring you a sandwich. He’d give you the shirt off his back and he was loved by more people than I think he realized. We’re all still in shock. It’s not going to be the same around here without him.”
— Kelley Balcomb-Bartok
Carolee Copthorne Young
Carolee Copthorne Young died peacefully at home Nov. 10, 2005, surrounded by family, just as she had wished.
Carolee was born in 1939 in Morristown, N.J. As a child, she spent summers on a dairy farm in Vinalhaven, Maine.
Carolee was a nurse practitioner with a passion for women’s health care and childbirth. She also was a dedicated knitter and for a time co-owned Island Wools & Weaving.
Carolee moved to San Juan Island in 1987, where she fulfilled her dream of living in a house with a view of the ocean from her bathtub.
She leaves behind many beloved friends. She is survived by an extensive loving family as well as her husband, John P. Young.
A memorial service will be held Jan. 21, 1 p.m., in St. David’s Episcopal Church, 780 Park St.. followed by a reception at Carolee’s house, 185 Kanaka Bay Road.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Susan Eyerly Fund (c/o Islanders Bank, P.O. Box 909, Friday Harbor, WA 98250) or to The San Juan Preservation Trust (P.O. Box 327, Lopez Island, WA 98261, www.sjpt.org).
— The Carolee Copthorne Young family
Mark McCullough
Mark McCullough, former resident of Friday Harbor, died peacefully in his sleep on Dec. 29 after a long illness. He was 54.
Earlier that day, he celebrated his 20th wedding anniversary with his wife, Nancy.
Mark is survived by his three children Kevin, “Andy, ” and Colleen; and two brothers, Stu and Joe; as well as many nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, including Sandy Schroeder, also a former resident of and frequent visitor to Friday Harbor.
The McCullough family now resides in Pacheco, Calif.
— The Mark McCullough family
Ardiss Eloise Larson
Ardiss Eloise Larson of Anacortes died Dec. 24, 2005 at Island Hospital in Anacortes. She was 92.
She was born Aug. 18, 1913 in Monroe, the daughter of Alfred S. and Alice Kristine (Hamre) Benson and, along with her three brothers, grew up in Lynden, Wash.
In Lynden, Ardiss attended grade school through high school and, upon graduation, attended Business College in Bellingham, where she received her degree. She then went on to work for the county performing clerical work.
While Ardiss was attending Business College, she met a special young man named Alvie. They fell in love and married
several years later.
Al worked at Bellingham Shipyard and Ardiss was employed in the office of Olympic Portland Cement Company. When the Bellingham Shipyard closed, Al sought work elsewhere and took a job at the Friday Harbor Sand and Gravel Co., so Ardiss and Al moved to San Juan Island.
While in San Juan Island, she accepted an offer from the courthouse auditor and took on the intense job that involved learning the duties of every department.
Ardiss and Al worked hard but enjoyed life on the island because it was less crowded and more serene than the mainland. They spent 25 years together here. One special enjoyment was their large boat, which they used for fishing and relaxing.
Ardiss and Al traveled to California and other places in their motor home. They also enjoyed a trip to the Hawaiian Islands.
Alvie’s poor health brought them back from the island to their family on the mainland. They made their home in Mount Vernon and later moved to Yakima, since both of them had family there.
Alvie died shortly after they moved to Yakima, but Ardiss stayed on in Yakima until April 2004, when she moved to Chandler’s Square in Anacortes.
Ardiss’ hobbies included playing the organ, reading, doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles and many types of games.
Ardiss is preceded in death by her husband, parents and two brothers.
She is survived by her brother, Wayne Bitterman of Bellevue, Wash.; sister-in-law, Mary Benson of Yakima, Wash.; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Elmer and Lou Larson of Yakima, Wash.; nephews, LeRoy Benson, Marvin Benson and Jerry Benson; nieces, Judy Potter, Sheila Lawton and Sharon Jonsson; and many grand- and great-grandnephews and nieces.
A funeral service was held Dec. 29, 2005 at Evans Funeral Chapel in Anacortes with Pastor Debra Benson officiating. Burial followed the funeral service at Green Acres Memorial Park in Ferndale, Wash.
— The Ardiss Eloise Larson family
Alice Lorraine Hansen
Alice Lorraine Hansen passed away Jan. 2, 2006 at the Life Care Center in Sedro Woolley. She was 84.
She was born June 27, 1921 in Big Timber, Mont., the oldest of eight children born to Edward and Emma Franklin.
Alice married
Tonnes S. Hansen Aug. 26, 1936 in Cody, Wyo. They ranched in the Big Timber area for a number of years before moving to Lopez Island in October 1944, where they farmed and made a home for their five children.
Alice was a homemaker all her life. She was an excellent seamstress, loved gardening, traveled with her husband various times to Norway and all over the United States, and was known in recent years as the “egg lady” who lived in the Red House on Lopez Hill Road.
Alice won numerous prizes at the San Juan County Fair for her vegetables and quilts. She loved helping others when and wherever she could. She took extra pride in her extended family and enjoyed sewing quilts for all.
Alice was dedicated to Jehovah God as one of Jehovah’s witnesses in 1950, and firmly believed in the resurrection hope mentioned in the Bible at John 5:28, 29. Her faith was an important part of her life. In 2000, she donated property on Lopez Island where a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses was built and she was happy to see different ones in the community who went there.
Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Tonnes, in 1986; son, Edward Tonnes, in 1949; brothers, Pierre Franklin and John Franklin, and a sister, Marjorie Parker.
Alice is survived by her daughter, Dianna (Raymond) Teuber, of Portland, Ore.; sons, Marvin (Bonnie) Hansen of Sedro-Woolley, John (Janet) Hansen of Kenmore; and daughter, Deborah (Lynnie) Arnott, of Lopez Island.
She is survived by her grandchildren, Teresa Carmen, Marilyn Webb, Raymond Teuber, Raeanna Teuber, Tamara Degraff, Curtis Hansen, Adrienne Hansen, Dee Anne Applegate, Stanley Arnott; and numerous great- and great-great grandchildren.
Alice is also survived by one brother, Douglas (Joyce) Franklin, of Sedro-Woolley; sisters, Emmy Lou Brooks, Carol Eades of Buckley, Helen Picket of Wenatchee; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Service will be held Jan. 14, 2 p.m., at Lopez Island Golf Club.
— The Alice Lorraine Hansen family
Regina Goldig Tein
Formal education came tough for Regina Tein; school was interrupted by wars and survival.
But in her life, she learned seven languages, lived in six countries, witnessed the birth of modern Israel, and helped her husband run dry cleaning businesses in America’s two largest cities.
“She was intelligent, courageous, practical, hard working. She was a real survivor. She did what she had to do, ” her son, Joseph Tein, said.
Mrs. Tein died Jan. 11 in Islands Convalescent Center. She was 97.
She was born April 28, 1908, one of five children of Abraham and Sarah Goldig. At the time, her birthplace, Czernowitz, was part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. She was a refugee in Czechoslovakia for four years during World War I and when she returned to Czernowitz it was part of Romania. It is now part of Ukraine.
She and Morris Tein were married
in Czernowitz in 1933. They lived there through World War II; both lost numerous family members and friends in the Holocaust, including Mrs. Tein’s parents, a brother and a sister.
The Teins lived in Windsheim, Germany, from 1945-48, hoping to emigrate to Israel. In 1948, they emigrated to Natanya, Israel, and lived there for eight years; their only child, Joseph, was born in Hadera, Israel in 1951.
In 1956, the Teins emigrated to Uruguay with an eye toward eventually settling in the United States. In December 1960, they moved to the U.S.
The Teins lived in New York City and Los Angeles, where Mr. Tein ran a dry cleaning business and Mrs. Tein was a seamstress and taught sewing. Mr. Tein died in Los Angeles in 1997 and Mrs. Tein moved to Medford, Ore., and then Bellingham to be closer to her son.
In her life, Mrs. Tein spoke German, Yiddish, Czech, Romanian, Hebrew, Spanish and English. She read novels and continued to improve her English skills in her 90s.
“She loved to read, ” her son said. “She had a sharp mind, an excellent memory and enjoyed helping people.”
Mrs. Tein is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Bridget Tein, of Friday Harbor; two nieces and one nephew in Israel; and a niece in Miami, Fla.
She will be buried next to her husband in Eden Memorial Park in Southern California.
— Richard Walker
Thomas “Tom” Holzhauser
Thomas “Tom” Holzhauser passed away on Jan. 11, 2006 at Islands Convalescent Center following his valiant fight with cancer. He passed peacefully surrounded by angels, family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara, of 30 years; his devoted sons, Todd Holzhauser (Katherina), Scott Sinclair and Skip Sinclair (Kim Moore); daughters, Sheri Sinclair (Marty Sitton), Kim Sinclair, Jamie Holzhauser and “adopted” daughter Ginny Beaudoin; sisters, Mary Joy Seick (Ferd) and Kathy Goldsmith (Larry); brothers-in-law, Bob Bellinger and Jim Horn; grandchildren, Ryan and Renae Sinclair, Melissa and Caitlin Holzhauser and great-grandson, Garett.
Tom’s family lived in the copper mining town of Holden Village at the head of Lake Chelan. Due to limited medical resources, Tom’s mother, Ruth, went to Spokane to give birth to him, then returned to Holden where Tom resided until school age.
The family moved back and forth between summer in Holden and school in Wenatchee. Later, the family moved to Lynnwood and Tom graduated from Edmonds High School.
Tom wore many hats. He was a volunteer firefighter for the Cashmere Fire Department, a journeyman bindery man, foreman for Armour Meat Company in Portland, Ore., and a manager for a sand recovery plant in Puyallup. While in Portland, Tom set a goal and ran the Portland Marathon and the Hood to Coast Relay Race.
Having kept a boat in the Port of Friday Harbor for many years, Tom and Barb finally moved to San Juan Island from the Puyallup area in June 1990.
For nearly two years, Tom and Barb were the resident managers of Islands West Retirement Center, now the Best Western Friday Harbor Suites.
In early 1992, Tom started and ran his own successful business, selling and servicing fire extinguishers and rebuilding alternators and starters.
Tom was technical director and facility manager for San Juan Community Theatre for more than 10 years.
Tom loved boating, fishing, hiking, skiing, traveling, RVing and spending time with family and friends. Tom was a man of tremendous knowledge, wisdom and wittiness. He was always such a wonderful person to be around as he has touched so many lives. He will be truly missed by his loving family his dear friends and the supportive community of San Juan Island.
A celebration of Tom’s life will be held April 15 on the island.
Donations in Tom’s name may be made to the San Juan Community Theatre, P.O. Box 1063, Friday Harbor 98250.
— The Thomas “Tom” Holzhauser family
