Shirley Estes
November 14, 1925 – October 14, 2017
Shirley Estes, 91, passed away in her home on October 14, 2017, surrounded by family, close to a year after learning the diagnosis of cancer.
Her long, expressive life began in Hollywood, California, on November 14, 1925. She was the second child born to Stewart and Helen Worden, formerly of Coloma, Michigan. After the age of three, her family moved to Coronado, California, where she roller skated to her first job in a ticket booth at the movie theater, attended high school, sang in a quartet, and met Oliver Eugene Estes, her sweetheart who would become her husband for more than 70 years.
Shortly after high school graduation, Gene and Shirley married in her parents’ home, while Gene was on military leave, February 23, 1945. From 1947 until 1962 they welcomed into their lives four children: Allen, Marcia, Robyn, and Kevin. Shirley devoted her attention to the children, while Gene went back to university, and graduated from law school. Her children were always central to her life, yet Shirley maintained a vast curiosity about the world at large and about art in particular. After attending a junior high open house for one of her children, Shirley was inspired to start taking art courses through an adult education program in Mission Beach, California. It was through this that she came under the tutelage of Thomas Emery, who was well-known for his mural paintings housed in Balboa Park, San Diego. Shirley was Professor Emery’s star pupil, amazing him with her intuitive style, her natural feel for perspective, balance, color, and design.
Art continued to expand Shirley’s life, and by 1986, she was enrolled in a tole painting class, in the Los Angeles area, and heard the name of the town, Sequim, from a classmate. The description of the place captivated Shirley, and again using her strong sense of intuition, she convinced Gene to travel to the Olympic Peninsula to see if this hamlet lived up to what Shirley had heard. Sequim exceeded their dreams, and by 1989 their permanent move here was complete.
Their youngest child, Kevin, moved to the area soon thereafter, and Shirley was overjoyed when his marriage took place – Kevin marrying Jo Anne Collet in the Dungeness School House, 1991.
Kevin and Jo Anne happily added to the local census when in 1993 their daughter Hailey Estes arrived. Shirley developed a particularly magical bond with this talented “Sequimite” grandchild, and joyfully followed Hailey’s achievements in school, dance, and working at the local Boys and Girls Club.
Shirley was a longstanding member of Sunland Golf and Country Club and at one time served as captain of the Niners Golf Group. She was also a member of the philanthropic organization known as the Sunland Sunshiners, and gave a talk about her artwork for them last year.
Shirley’s firstborn Allen and his wife Lynda of fifty years also moved into town, and were central in the care during the time of Gene’s passing, June 23, 2015.
Even after her husband’s death, Shirley’s artistry continued to grow. She long believed that creativity is purposeful and offers strength during every phase of life. She had tried her hand at driftwood sculpture, then after Gene’s demise, the art style that was to transform her began. She heard about Zen Tangling from an in-law, and from the start Shirley knew she had finally found the genre meant for her talent. From June 2015 up until eight days before her passing, Shirley generated over three hundred works of elaborate, exquisite “tangles” – each a masterpiece. Shirley’s philosophy was firm that art matters, and she encouraged many to give it a try. She wrote: “Can you draw a line, make a circle? Yes? Then you too can tangle!”
Shirley Helen Worden Estes loved people, and in the words of her lead caregiver, “Ted”, she made each who met her feel valued. Freddie Kraus of Sunland was Shirley’s best friend, yet everyone in her sphere was treasured – each child, every grandchild (ten grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren), every friend, neighbor, caregiver, hospice nurse, bath aide, her appreciation for each was limitless.
The family wishes to especially thank Wright’s Home Care Agency and the Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County who helped make Shirley’s final days very secure and peaceful.
She has joined Gene Estes by choosing not to have a memorial service; rather her wish was that everyone might find a way to contribute to this world that reflects one’s own creative passions and loving commitments.
Judith Ann Kilby
May 8, 1934 – June 6, 2017
Judith Ann Kilby, age 83, died on June 6, 2017 in Redding, California from complications of dementia. She was surrounded by family and passed peacefully.
Judy was born in Seattle, Washington on May 8, 1934 to Howard and Doris Rowe and was the oldest of three children. She moved to Sequim in 1950 with her parents and attended Sequim High School where she was actively involved in the Glee Club, theatre, and served as homecoming chairperson and senior class president. She was united in marriage to Samuel Ray Kilby on July 19, 1952 in Sequim, Washington.
Judy was known by her family and friends for her very generous spirit and would often go to great lengths to help others in need. She devoted her life to raising her children and was very involved in church. She was an avid reader and loved music. She loved having her cats and dogs around her over the years.
Judy is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Samuel Ray Kilby, as well as her beloved brother, Thomas Howard Rowe, and her parents, Doris and Howard Rowe. She is survived by her seven children and their spouses: Douglas Kilby of Arcata, Michael Kilby, Samuel and Dawn Kilby of Weitchpec, Kim and Jim Tyner of Redding, Nancy Kilby of Redding, Doris Ann Tietze, and Scott and Shannon Kilby of Redding. She is survived by 15 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren; her sister and brother-in-law Janet and Gary Eerkes of Bellingham as well as cousins Sue Ann and Ron Smith of Lake Goodwin, Washington.
A ceremony will be held for Judy to be laid at rest alongside her husband at the Dungeness Cemetery in Sequim on November 10, 2017 at 1:00 p.m.
Patricia Ailene Garling
March 4, 1941 – September 26, 2017
Patricia Aliene Garling “Grandma”, 98, of Sequim, Washington, passed away on September 26, 2017.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00pm October 28, 2017 at Dungeness Community Church, in the Chapel.
Patricia was born in Seattle, WA on March 4, 1919. She graduated from Lincoln high school in Seattle, and attended Simpson Bible Institute for a short time.
Patricia was married to Robert W. Garling on September 5, 1941; they were married 52 years.
Patricia faithfully served alongside her husband, who was a pastor, for several years. She enjoyed sending small packages and countless greeting cards through the mail, and made it her own personal ministry up until her death.
Particia is survived by her son Stephen H. Garling, daughter Janis A. Keene, 7 Grandchildren, 13 Great-Grandchildren and other family and friends.
Patricia is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Garling.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The family of Patricia wishes to thank Sequim Health and Rehabilitation Center and the staff that lovingly took care of her.
