Obituary Notices:
- Edith Anne McCoig
- Sherry Lane Lobel “Hart”
- Tracie Griggs
- Mary Christian Brookhyser
- Hardwick Smith
Edith Anne McCoig (Mar 3, 1923 – Sept 20, 2013) Well, Mom, you had a good run! 90 years! You left this earth for your heavenly home on September 20, 2013, to join the love of your life, Bill McCoig. You two had 50 years together and you made the most of them by traveling, camping, playing Bingo, and just being together.
You were the best Mom to Gary (Karen) and Susan; Grandma to Bill, Sherri, Deanna, Tiffany, and Lynette; and Great Grandma to those 11 children who adore you. Missing you already are your sister Doris, brothers Harold, Don, and Darrell; and many nieces and nephews. Give big hugs and kisses to our brother Richard, and grandsons Eric and Jonathan. Say hello to Aunt Margaret and Uncles Clinton, Herb, and Sonny, and Grandma and Grandpa. We know they were all waiting for you to show up.
We will miss the laughter and caring you always gave. Until we are all together again, keep looking after us! We will gather to remember you for a memorial service at New Tacoma’s Chambers Creek Chapel on Friday, September 27, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. Love you! Love you, too!
Sherry Lane Lobel “Hart”, born in Russell, Kansas on July 4th, 1945. Passed away at home in Auburn, WA. on September 7th, 2013. She is survived by her children, Mark McKim of Auburn WA., Denice McKim of Vancouver WA., and Michael McKim of Milwaukee Or., and 1 grandchild Jared McKim Castillo of San Jose, Ca., and a brother Donald Hart of St. Joseph, Mo., and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents Dale Eugene Hart and Opal Marie Robertson Hart. Sherry was a successful business woman; she owned and operated an insurance agency for several years in California. In her many travels she fell in love with Seattle Washington, selling her agency, she move here. She had many passions which she pursued, scuba diving and cooking were a few. She enjoyed gardening and would create secret gardens around her home. She loved cats, her favorite Iris, who is now being cared for by her son Mark. Sherry loved helping people when ever she could and had many friends which were treated as family. All the kids in the neighborhood called her Grandma Sherry. She will be missed by all who knew her. A small memorial will be held on October 6th, 2013 at 2:00 pm at Isaac Evans Park, Auburn WA. For more information you may contact Mark McKim.
[Reprinted from South Puget Sound News] A memorial service will be held at Mountain View Funeral Home on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013 at 2 p.m. for Lakewood resident Tracie Griggs, who passed away suddenly on Sept. 18, 2013.
Griggs was born on May 15, 1964 in New Jersey. Eventually, Griggs and her family made their way west to the Tacoma area. She graduated from Lakes High School in 1982. Griggs was a vibrant, positive, funny and life loving mother, wife and teacher. Her warm smile was a familiar face at the Idlewild Elementary School in the Clover Park School District for many years. Co-workers and parents all said she had a passion for children and treated them as her own.
Griggs was described as someone who filled the kids she worked with full of love, hope, encouragement, compassion, knowledge and thoughtfulness.
She also embraced the role of “soccer-mom” to its fullest. Griggs served as the team mom for the Lakewood-Steilacoom-DuPont Sharks boy’s soccer team in 2012. This year, an error in registration caused the Griggs family to switch teams to the Shark’s biggest rival, the Hornets. When the news of Tracie’s passing began to spread, the teams were devastated.
Over the weekend, in a show of solidarity and support, the Shark boys U14 soccer team donned army green t-shirts with their former teammate’s nickname on it, BIG FOOT, which Griggs would always yell at the top of her lungs while standing along the sidelines. The entire team stayed to cheer on their former teammate.
Griggs’s death was a reminder to her friends that tomorrow is never promised, and to live each day to its fullest. She died from heart disease at the age of 49, the number one killer of women.
Her death was a reminder to fellow-moms and co-workers to take care of not only the people around you who you love, but also take care of yourself. Griggs was often known to give the last shirt off her back to help someone. She had so much love to give, and she gave it freely.
She is survived by her husband Charles, son Isaiah and step-son Matthew.
To help the family with funeral costs and upcoming expenses, an account has been set up at Community 1st Credit Union. Donation checks should be made out to Charles Griggs but mailed to Community 1st Credit Union, c/o Sean St Claire, PO Box 870, DuPont, WA, 98327.
In addition, local artisan Rebecca Kinney, owner of Juliagrace Jewels, is selling a custom made bracelet to help the family of Tracie Griggs. The bracelet is $25, all of which is being donated to the Griggs family.
You can purchase the bracelet online at www.juliagracejewels.com. Remembrances may be shared at www.mountainviewtacoma.com
Mary Christian Brookhyser was born on June 9, 1925 in Thompson Falls Montana. She was raised in Steilacoom Washington and later married and raised her own family in Milton, Washington until January 1990. Mary was known by all for her radiant smile and love for gardening and flowers; especially the Rhododendron. Although she spent many years dedicated to raising her 4 daughters and maintaining a home, Mary returned to the work force as a teacher’s aid for Spinning Elementary School in Puyallup Washington where she worked for 28 years. Throughout Mary’s busy life she committed many hours to volunteer work. Her early years were spent giving time in the Unity Church of Tacoma. During and after her retirement she volunteered for the Lyons Club, Rhododendron Society and Puyallup School District.
She is survived by her sister Carolyn Hudson, 3 daughters Sharon Guardino, Joan Hogan and Lynne Garton; 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Mary is preceded in death by her husband of 38 years Byron Brookhyser, and her daughter Barbara Esaray.
Mary valued staying active, contributing to her community and living a spiritual based life. Her smile, sparkling eyes and laughter will be missed by all of those who knew her.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Aegis of Kent, where Mary spent her last 6 years of life and Franciscan Hospice Services, for the respect, dignity and comfort they provided to Mary in her final months.
Visitation will be held from 1pm to 6pm, Friday, October 4 at Mountain View Funeral Home in Lakewood, WA. Services will be held at the Rhododendron Garden at 2525 S 336th St, Federal Way on October 5th at 1 PM.
Hardwick Smith, long time resident of Tacoma, took his final journey on Friday, September 20, 2013 as he left this world at the amazing age of 100 years, 8 months, and 3 days. He shares his heavenly home with his high school sweetheart and beloved wife of 55 years Martha Onsted Smith; parents Adolf and Wanda Smith; brothers Hugo, William, and Rudolph Smith, and long time friend Helen Fulghum.
Hardwick was one of Tacoma’s finest and took great pride for being known as Tacoma’s oldest retired Police Officer for the last several years. He had a wide variety of interests, but he was most passionate about physical fitness, nature, hunting, and fishing. He was an avid storyteller who was always ready to share at least one or two of his many tales.
Hardwick’s remarkable life is celebrated by his son Robert and wife Joan Smith of San Antonio, grandson Kenneth, wife Betty, and their children Hannah and Andrew Smith of San Antonio, granddaughter Andrea Smith of San Antonio, numerous nieces and nephews, and the most devoted friend a man could ever have Gary Gerontis of Tacoma.
All funeral arrangements have been made through Mountain View Cemetery at 4100 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA. The viewing will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The funeral and interment will be on Friday, September 27, 2013 beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the Garden Chapel. Memorials honoring Hardwick may be made to the Mary Bridge Children’s Foundation, the Tacoma Pierce County Humane Society, or the charity of your choice. Cards and memorial acknowledgements will be received by Kenneth Smith at 212 Eagle Pass, San Antonio, Texas 78260