Mary G. Mead
Sequim resident Mary G. Mead died of cancer in Poulsbo on July 19, 2017, at the age of 96. A memorial is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 29, at Sequim Valley Funeral Chapel, 108 W. Alder St., Sequim, with Diane R. Mead officiating. Burial will be at 1 p.m. at Sequim View Cemetery, 1505 Sequim-Dungeness Way, Sequim. A complete obituary will follow. She was born Feb. 17, 1921.
Richard S. O’Connor
Richard S. O’Connor passed away of Renal Failure on July 14, 2017. He was born in New York City on January 24, 1926 to parents Winfield Scott O’Connor and Gladys Martin. He was raised primarily by his Grandmother, Sarah Martin. Richard was drafted into the Navy in 1944 during the second World War and was assigned to a minesweeper as a sonar man, serving in both the Atlantic and Pacific.
Post war, he traveled to Syracuse, New York where he married Jean Lorenz and raised their two daughters, Susan and Nancy. Sadly, their infant son, Patrick passed away of SIDS. After Jean succumbed to the effects of a stroke, he moved to the D.C. area and became a Jeweler, which included designing pieces for his customers. There he met his second wife, Jo Snow. After they had vacationed to the West Coast and like what they saw, they purchased the “J and D” jewelry store in Port Townsend. They operated their business from 1985 until Jo’s passing in 2004.
In 2005 he began taking Water Color Art Lessons from Pat Gordon. He exhibited his Art in Sequim and other local venues. He received a Merit award and several First and Second ribbons in the Jefferson County Fair. He very much enjoyed exhibiting art and chatting with those interested in his painting.
Dick and Pat were united in a Commitment Ceremony on July 15, 2014 and lived in Sequim until his passing.
He is survived by his wife, Pat, brother William Hutton and his daughters, Susan Curtis and Nancy Wolfe, 4 Grandchildren, 6 Great Grandchildren and 1 Great Great Grandchild. He was also close to his Step-Daughter, Julie Snow Marshall and her daughter Amanda of Port Hadlock.
Dick had an extremely outgoing personality, charming and inquisitive. Always ready to travel or try new adventures. He loved to read mysteries and historical biographies and keep up on current events. He was a real people person, one whom will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Memorial service will be held on July 29, at 11 a.m. at Sequim Community Church, 950 North 5th Ave, Sequim Wa.
Contributions may be made to; Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County, 540 East 8th St. Port Angeles, WA 98362.
William G. (Bill) Simpson
December 1, 1924 – July 10, 2017
William G. (Bill) Simpson, was born December 1, 1924 in Portland, OR to Clifford and Dorothy (Aspland) Simpson.
Bill joined the Air Force in April 1943 and served as an airplane armorer gunner, flying 32 combat missions over Northern France and Germany during World War II. Bill received several decorations for his service including two Bronze Stars.
Bill married Marie Engebretsen in December 1946 and they made their home in the Edmonds area, raising their son, Grant, and her two children, Connie and Larry.
Bill learned the carpentry trade and over the years built five homes for he and his family. He worked as a carpenter in the Seattle area and after he and Marie relocated to Sequim in 1968, he served as superintendent on several construction projects on the Olympic Peninsula.
Bill enjoyed growing bonsai, building suiseki, fishing and beach-combing. He was a member of the Carpenters Union and the Dungeness Bonsai Society.
Bill is survived by his wife, son Grant Simpson, daughter Connie Adair, grandchildren Bryan Simpson, Jeremy Simpson, Bobby Gard, Curtis Johnson, Erik Johnson, Lily Adair and several great grandchildren. He was predeceased by son Larry Gard.
Internment will be at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, Wa.
Ruth Godfrey
September 12, 1920 – July 14, 2017
Ruth Godfrey passed away on July 14, 2017 at the age of 96. Born Sept 12, 1920 to Herman and Ruth Talley in Rockdale, Texas; she lived her early life in Rockdale, Houston, and El Paso, Texas. She attended University of Texas in El Paso and Texas Women’s University in Denton, majoring in foods and nutrition.
She married Frank W. Godfrey in 1940 in San Francisco. After his army discharge in 1947, the family moved to Portland, Oregon. She taught pre-school at St. Helen’s Hall (now called Oregon Episcopal school). The family was transferred to Anchorage, Alaska in June 1964 three months after the big Alaska earthquake. Two years later, she and her husband founded Machinery & Drill Steel Co. where she worked as a bookkeeper.
After 14 years in Anchorage, they retired to Sequim, WA. She lived 36 years in Sequim and then returned to Portland in 2014 where she enjoyed her apartment and all of the staff at Raleigh Hills Assisted Living.
Her favorite activities included motorhome treks throughout the country, Mexico, and Canada including 16 trips over the Alaska Highway. She enjoyed playing bridge, baking, knitting, and sewing.
She is preceded in death by her husband in 2000 and was married for almost 60 years, her 23 year old son Frank Jr. who lost his life on Eklutna Glacier north of Anchorage in 1966, and her sister Betty McGehee of Portland in 2016.
She is survived by her son Tim Godfrey of Portland and many nieces and nephews.
Special recognition to all the caregivers with Serenity Home Care of Beaverton, who pampered Ruth with compassionate care these last two months.
Graveside services will be held for friends and family Tuesday, July 25th at 11:00 am at Finley Sunset Hills Memorial Park, 6801 S.W. Sunset Highway Portland, OR 97225to be officiated by Canada Taylor.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Hospice Care of the Northwest in Portland; Faith Foundation – Sequim Community Church, 950 N. 5th Ave, Sequim WA 98382; any Humane Society; or to any charity of donor’s choice.
