Dennis Connolly Watson
October 27, 1949 – December 7, 2016
Dennis Watson, age 67, died at home in Sequim, Washington on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 surrounded by his family. He was known for his commitment to community service, his wry sense of humor, and a great head of hair.
Dennis was born on October 27, 1949 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and learned the art of gentle torture growing up with three active brothers.
He married his wife, Nancy, in 1977 and together they moved from Minnesota to Sequim in 1978 on a youthful whim. Son Sam was born in 1981 followed by brother Elliot in 1985 and they soon became his partners in travel, fishing, golf, and assorted extreme sports including helicopter skiing and mountain biking. His sons were truly the greatest joys of his life.
After careers in boat repair and wood working, Dennis returned to school and earned a master’s degree in social work. He provided mental health services through several agencies across the Peninsula and eventually found his true calling at the YMCA. Dennis helped to spearhead and run the TEAM program, an eight-week session devoted to helping middle school students improve communication skills and build empathy. He was a true believer in the power of team-building and frequently subjected his family and holiday guests to his favorite TEAM activities. (Oh no, not the trust fall again.) Serving on the board of the Y, Dennis was integral to the opening of the Sequim location and was delighted to see the expansion of recreation for Sequim youth.
Dennis volunteered in challenging places including Sri Lanka, Indonesia, East Timor, and Uganda helping train staff working with displaced and abused children and former child soldiers. His teaching style was described as joyful and humble.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Nancy, sons Sam and Elliot, daughter-in-law Marianne Condrup, brothers Steve, Doug, and Charlie, sisters-in-law Mary, Sharann, and Kathy, special cousin Spence Peterson, nieces and nephews (who thought he was a hoot), and many dear friends.
An open house celebration of a life well lived will be held Wednesday, December 28 at Olympic Theater Arts, 414 N. Sequim Avenue from 4-6 pm. Memorials may be made to the Sequim Y or Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County.
We love and miss you, Dennis, and will keep you close in our hearts forever.
Lydia Bepple Westover
August 1, 1909 – November 20, 2016
Lydia passed away at age 107.
She was born to Martin and Margaret Bepple in Quincy WA and had 5 brothers and 4 sisters.
Filling every year to the fullest, she loved to dance, have a great time, and collected friends everywhere she went.
She completed the 8th grade and then started working to help her family on the farm and in town as a nanny.
She married Emil Kuest and they have a son, LeRoy. They later divorced.
She married Quinn Westover in 1947.
Lydia was active with many clubs including the Eagles and the Lions. With the Lions, she and Quinn traveled North and Central America and Europe making life long friends.
She was instrumental in getting the Quincy Valley Airport going, started the BPW in Quincy and was an active fund raiser for many community needs including the Quincy Cemetery, Central Washington Tourism Board, and Farmer’s Awareness. She continued up until recently to raise funds for the “Grandfather let loose the ponies” sculpture in Vantage, WA.
She worked for the Quincy Valley Bank and then for Grant County PUD for 23 years.
She moved to Wenatchee in 1991 to be closer to medical services and moved to Sequim in 2004 to be closer to family. She is survived by her son LeRoy of Port Angeles, stepson Vernell Westover of Quincy and stepdaughter Phyllis Smith of Pahrump, Nevada, 15 grandchildren and lots of great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
