NW MEMORIALS - Key Persons

Agnes Lew passed away peacefully at Evergreen Hospice after a brief illness on September 11, 2023, at the age of 86. She was a cherished mother, grandmother, and friend, leaving behind a legacy of love, dedication, and community spirit. Agnes is survived by her loving children, Thomas (Meloney), Janice (John Mullen), and Darrick (Kenya) Lew, as well as her adoring grandchildren, Ethan and Adam Lew. She is now reunited in heaven with her mother, Hsue Lai Chan, her father, Chenck Fung Chan, and her beloved husband, Quong B. Lew. Born on February 11, 1937, in Canton, China, Agnes embarked on a remarkable journey. Fleeing the grip of communism, she immigrated to the United States at the tender age of 15. Her first stop was California, but it was in Seattle, her cherished adopted home, that she truly flourished. Agnes possessed a brilliant mind, excelling in subjects like mathematics and chemistry. She pursued her academic aspirations and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Seattle University. Her thirst for knowledge led her to a fulfilling career as a medical technologist, eventually rising to the position of Chief Technologist at Overlake Medical Center in the 1970s. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Agnes was a woman of many passions. She co-founded a local investors club and dedicated her retirement years to various meaningful pursuits. She found joy and creativity in quilting, assembled rosaries with devotion, and actively contributed to the Holy Family Catholic Church community in Kirkland. Agnes was known for her boundless energy, which she shared generously with those around her. A funeral mass in memory of Agnes will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Kirkland at 11 AM on Tuesday, September 19th, followed by a gathering over coffee. Later that day at 2 PM, she will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery, with a reception to follow. All friends and family are warmly invited to attend these services. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family kindly requests that donations be considered for either or the Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation. Agnes Lew touched the lives of many, and her memory will forever be cherished by those who had the privilege of knowing her. She leaves a legacy of love, resilience, and community involvement that will continue to inspire us all.

Billie Coopwood of Tukwila, Washington, left us on September 25, 2023. She was a teacher and an attorney, but perhaps her favorite metaphorical hat was a toque, for she was an excellent cook who loved to entertain for fabulous dinners. Billie was an avid player of duplicate bridge, rising to the rank of Ruby Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League. She achieved this success with many different partners, but her favorite bridge partner was also her partner in life, her husband Jim. Billie was a member of the Issaquah, Washington branch of the American Association of University Women, for whom she helped raise money to provide scholarships for middle school girls to attend a summer camp focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education. Billie is survived by her husband, Jim Hamilton of Tukwila; her brother John Lock and sister-in-law Sandie Lock of San Antonio, TX; her son Ben Coopwood and daughter-in-law Robin Coopwood of Timnath, Colorado; her son Joseph Coopwood and daughter-in-law JoAnn Coopwood of Midlothian, Texas; five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Jeanette (Miller) Lock; her brother Howard Lock; and her daughter Janna Coopwood.

Job Titles:

• Coach for Bellevue Community College

Donna Clair White was born in Seattle, Washington on November 9, 1935, and died peacefully, surrounded by family, in Snohomish County, WA, on September 19, 2023; she was 87. Donna was adopted at birth by Fred and Leona Engel, who doted over their only child. Fred died in a hunting accident when Donna was five. Leona worked long hours to support herself and Donna. For several years, Donna lived off and on with distant family members and friends, but longed to be fully reunited with her loving mother. When Donna was 11, Leona married John (Jack) Gregory. Jack helped Leona and Donna reestablish a stable, loving home for Donna's teenage and adult years. Donna studied at Western Washington University in Bellingham for two years. After leaving college, Donna met Clark Marshall; they married on June 29, 1957. Their son, Scott Frederick, was born on July 3, 1958; their daughter Sherri Marie on April 17, 1960; and daughter Michelle Rene on February 11, 1964. A full-time mother, Donna was also instrumental in helping Clark build what became a motorsports empire. Her intellect, charm, knack for public relations and support were integral to the high-risk success of the business. For a time, she enjoyed an exciting lifestyle filled with celebrities, fast cars, racing, water sports, and luxury. Clark was often away from home. Despite this, Donna provided a stable environment that included large Holiday gatherings of extended family and friends. Her unique ability to host lavish, loving celebrations remained a life- long passion and gift. Unfortunately, the lure of the fast paced "60's lifestyle" began to consume Clark. After many separations and efforts to reconcile, Donna and Clark divorced in 1968, leaving her in uncharted, extremely challenging single-mother territory. Donna did her best to raise her children in an at-times socially and financially unstable environment. She was a forceful, deeply caring mother. She married and later divorced Ernie Woods, esteemed basketball coach for Bellevue Community College. On New Year's Eve, 1976, Donna married Jim White. Jim helped provide the kind of stability and care for Donna and her children that she had enjoyed when her mother married Jack. The family flourished during Donna and Jim's marriage. Donna no longer had to worry about finances and was able to explore areas of life she wasn't able to before. With Jim's encouragement, Donna indulged in interior design, traveling the world, and many other pursuits. But her greatest passion was art. Donna showed promise as an artist from a young age, but was unable to devote herself to it because of the various circumstances of her life. Now, she fully immersed herself in the world of art, particularly plein-air painting. Donna was able to cultivate relationships with some of the top artists in the world. Under their tutelage, she became an extremely accomplished and respected artist herself. She also became a keen art collector. Donna's unique, astute artistic aesthetic imbued all aspects of her life. Her interior design, furnishings, wardrobe, gifts, mannerisms and personality all embodied the artist Donna was. During this time, she continued her tradition as a strong matriarch and hosted many family gatherings, showering love, affection and wisdom on her three children, five grandchildren, spouses, partners and friends. Because of her openness and warmth, many considered Donna a "second mom". When Donna was 44, she was contacted by her previously unknown half-sister, Lois. Lois wanted Donna to meet Florence, the birth mother they had in common. Donna agreed, and both families met at Lois' home. This meeting led Donna to search for her biological father, William Byrd. Donna and William developed a loving and rewarding relationship that continued until his death in 2003. After 20 years of marriage, Donna and Jim divorced. Donna was able to continue her passionate pursuits until she started to suffer from an extreme form of chronic pain. Although her ailment limited her art and travel, she fought to enjoy every ounce of life she could.

Lavinia Elizabeth Sloan was born near Colorado Springs, CO on July 25, 1924, the daughter of Raymond and Lena (McGee) Sloan. She was the fifth of seven children and outlived all of her siblings. Her first home was a sod hut near Yoder, CO. The family lived there while her father share-cropped so that two of her sisters could attend Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind. The family later moved to Jerome, ID, where Lavinia committed herself to follow Jesus in a small Missionary Baptist Church at an early age. She graduated from high school there and at a youth rally that year she met Lura Stephens of Heppner, OR. They stayed in touch by mail. In 1942-1943, her family moved to Tulare, CA. Lura and Lavinia were married there on August 1, 1943 one month before Lura reported for Marine basic training in San Diego. While Lura served the war effort in the South Pacific, Lavinia was a Rosie the Riveter at Ryan Aircraft doing her part to help the war effort. After Lura's discharge in 1946, he and Lavinia settled in San Bernardino, CA. There, Lura began training as a registered nurse and Clark (1949), Barbara (1951), and Mary (1953) were born during this time. From there, the family moved to Porterville, CA and later to Oxnard, CA. There, Mom worked as a psychiatric technician. In each place, the family were members of Missionary Baptist Churches. They also enjoyed the outdoors-in forests, near lakes, and at the beach-wherever God's creation could be treasured. When they retired, they bought 5 acres of Redwood property in northern CA. Over several years they created "the ranch" for the family to gather, including a comfortable home, a barn for sheep and other farm animals, fruit trees, garden, fields to explore, and an art studio for Lavinia. Lavinia was always artistic, sewing the family's clothes, decorating the home, crafts. In her early 60's, she took painting classes and became a gifted painter. Besides selling paintings in the artist co-op, the walls of her children and grandchildren's homes have been blessed with her paintings. In her 70's, Lavinia still used her art to teach children about Jesus at Bridgeville Community Church near the ranch. Lura died in 2005, and after a time of living alone, Lavinia moved to Clark and Kathy's home in Huntington Beach, CA. Six years later, she moved to Kent, WA, to be near Barbara and Bob. March 2020, she moved to live with Mary and Roger in Sacramento, just in time for Covid to hit. Covid took away the things Lavinia enjoyed the most: church, Bingo at the senior center, and outings. She never quite understood what happened, but she had her loving family. In 2021, she moved back to Kent, WA near Barbara. Her final move was to her heavenly home on July 24, 2023, one day shy of her 99 th birthday. Lavinia is survived by her children, Clark Stephens (Kathy), Barbara Reid (Bob), and Mary Dees (Roger). She was preceded in death her grandson, Matthew Reid, and is survived by 6 grandchildren: Laura Parcel (Randy), Brian Dees, Alan Dees (Kim), Jonathan Stephens, Caleb Stephens, Bethany Hyde (Jason), and 7 great-grandchildren: Sam, Poema, and Joy Stephens, Allison and Oliver Dees, Desmond and Keavy Hyde.

Job Titles:

• Lynn Dean Gregory Passed Away on Friday, September 15, 2023 at the Age of 71. He Was Living at Arrowhead Gardens in Seattle, WA at the Time of His Death

Lynn was born on December 26, 1951 to Gene Elton and Dorothy Loraine Gregory (Barkley) in Renton, WA and was one of 4 children. He lived in the Skyway area near Renton through High School. He attended Skyway Grade School, Dimmitt Junior High School and graduated from Renton High School in 1970. He was a member of DeMolay, a Fraternal Organization and Glee Club while attending school. He also always found work and sometimes worked several jobs at the same time. He had a paper route, did landscaping and worked at a gas station where he picked up skills working on autos. Lynn was about to be drafted in the military shortly after graduation so he chose to join the Marine Corp and signed up for 4 years so a college education would be paid for and he would be trained for a good job when honorably discharged. While in the Marine Corp, Lynn excelled in his duties, starting out as a Private 1st Class, then Corporal, and for the last 16 months before discharge was the rank of Sergeant. He received multiple awards including the National Defense Service Medal and two Good Conduct Medals. Lynn stated if deployed into a combat zone, he would have done whatever was necessary to keep everyone safe at home, even if it meant sacrificing his own life to do so. After being discharged from the Marine Corp, Lynn took on various jobs including a baggage handler for an Airline called Northwest Orient. As a fringe benefit, he said that he could fly for free anywhere the airline flew - all he had to do was pay the tax. He joked and said he was thinking about one day flying to the French Riveria for lunch. He also worked as a Surveyor with a Surveying Team and worked for a logging company setting chokers in the forest and driving large trucks. Lynn then headed to Ellensburg to attend Central Washington College which became Central Washington University while attending. He graduated, received a teaching degree and taught in several school districts for about 15 years. Then he moved on from teaching and worked for Home Depot for about 10 years. It seemed he could do just about anything when it came to home repairs due to the skills he gained from this and other life experiences. The last job he worked before permanently retiring was at the Bremerton Shipyards as a tool specialist. Lynn loved boating and had as he said the largest trailerable boat you could get for several years. He had a nice singing voice and was in Acapella Choir and a Singing Quartet while in High School and this carried over later in life when he joined a church choir and also an inter church choir. He also did karaoke three times a week in the last few years of his life at different locations, including a Veteran location where he would sing to music while the audience would dance to it. He was good at writing poetry and wrote a poem he called "50 Years" which he dedicated and read to his parents on their 50th anniversary. While attending CWU, Lynn met Eugenia who was also studying to be a teacher and she became his wife after graduation. They had two children, Kate and Elizabeth. Lynn and Eugenie divorced after several years of marriage. Several years later Lynn married Sharon. He joined her church and became a Deacon of the church and also was a choir member. Sharon also introduced him to a small theater and he was acting in several theater productions - many where each of them had parts. Lynn had done some acting while attending Renton High School also. Lynn and Sharon divorced in 2019 and Lynn was single from that date till his passing. Lynn is survived by former spouse and mother of his children, Eugenia, former spouse Sharon, sister Cindy Hope, brother Randy Gregory (Francesca), brother Dana Gregory (Celeste), daughter Katherine Wold (Alexander), daughter Elizabeth Gregory and a niece, nephew and several cousins. Lynn was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy and father, Gene.