Obituaries

Terry Sackett (née Dearey), a beloved long-time resident of West Seattle, passed away on August 11, 2024.

Born July 31, 1946, in Glendale, California, she moved with her family to West Seattle at the age of five. She grew up on Marshall Avenue and attended Holy Rosary School. She graduated from Holy Names Academy in 1964 and UW in 1971.  In 1973, she began her career as a Technical Drafter at Boeing, where she worked until her retirement in 2009.

Reid Emory Hale, of Bothell, WA died peacefully on Friday, August 9, 2024, at the age of 93. Reid was born on December 21, 1930, in Yakima, Washington to Emory and Gladys Hale. He moved to western Washington when his father took the role of Chief Enforcement Officer for the Washington State Liquor Control Board.

Mark Francis Myers passed away on July 30, 2024, at the age of 69 in Burien, WA. Born December 11, 1954, in Yakima, WA.  Mark was known for his personality, marked by a great sense of humor and a kind, loving nature. He was profoundly dedicated to both his career and his family, particularly his son, Michael Myers.  

Jan Engelhardt (Magneson) suffered a severe stroke Saturday, June 15, 2024 at her Olympia home, and passed away peacefully in her husband Bill’s arms the morning of June 23, 2024 at Providence St. Peter Hospital. Her sudden death ended their nearly 12-year marriage, a love story sparked by a chance meeting at their 45th high school reunion.

Our sister, Susanne Steffes (56) of Kailua, Hawaii suddenly passed away on May 15, 2024, at the Queens Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii. Her loss was completely unexpected, and her family and friends are profoundly saddened. Susanne was born in Fort Benning, Georgia on November 15, 1967, to the late Edward and Susan (Laudolff) Steffes. She was one of four children: Marguerite, Edward, Susanne, and Michael.

Gordon Ronald Gracey, born to Ronald & Lola Gracey on July 15, 1960, passed away from complications of a stroke on May 12, 2024. Gordy, as his friends and family called him, was a life-long West Seattleite, having graduated from WSHS in 1979, where he was on the wrestling team and achieved the Eagle Scout award. He attended WSU for one year before following in his father's footsteps as an electrician.

Robert Laurence Beaucage was born on October 1, 1941, in Portland, Oregon to John and Barbara (Pfund) Beaucage.  He passed away on May 3, 2024.

He spent his early years in Portland, Spokane, and Albany.  As a teen he worked in a store that was both a bicycle and hobby shop, here he was able to build a brand loyalty to Schwinn and foster a lifelong love of trains and model railroading.

Trudi was born to Paul and Gertrude Botts and was raised in Black Diamond, WA. She graduated from Enumclaw High School and continued her education at the University of Washington to become an X-ray technician. Throughout her career she worked at the University Hospital, Swedish Hospital and then finished her career at a primary care office in Burien, WA.

Our dad, Joseph Smith began his wonderful journey called life in Vancouver, B.C. Canada on December 19, 1931, and ended his journey on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 in West Seattle, WA. He was born to Mary and Joseph Smith where he joined older sister Marion (Auntie Lala to those in the know). A few short years later, little sister Cibell (our beloved Auntie Cib) was born and completed their young Scottish family.

Karen Elizabeth Hume (Groh) “Gram” age 84, was called home to Heaven in the early morning of August 11, 2023, with her daughter by her side.

After her 1939 birth in Lincoln, Nebraska, Karen spent her school years between Lincoln, Bremerton (WA), Colorado Springs (CO), and Seattle (WA). 

From mountains, to sound, and everything in-between, Karen was always in awe of the natural beauty that is Washington State.  One of her earliest jobs, she recalled often with fond memories, was at Paradise Lodge on Mt. Rainier as a switchboard operator.