In remembrance of B. David Daly.
Archive for July, 2010
Evergreen Washelli presents “The Wizard of Washelli”
Saturday, July 31st, 2010
Video Tributes by Evergreen Washelli
Sunday, July 25th, 2010A video tribute is a custom designed remembrance documentary DVD combining a sequence of photos, paintings, drawings, poems, etc. synchronized to music to capture the story and life of your loved one. Video tributes allow us to create a video that helps the family share special moments, recall fond memories and celebrate the life of their loved one. The video tribute becomes a treasured keepsake for the family to share with generations to come. Video tributes also include custom labeling and packaging. For more information please contact our funeral professionals.
A Video Tribute to K.C. Hill
Live Event Broadcasting
Monday, July 19th, 2010
Event Broadcasting is the perfect way to include loved ones who live out of state.
When you sign up for video broadcasting, we will ask for your or your relatives email address in order to invite you to the memorial. All that is required is a high speed internet connection. Once the invitation is sent, it may be forwarded to whomever you choose to share it with; and viewers will need to register a username and password to enter the site.
As an alternative, the funeral director may also send out the invitations for you. The funeral director would need a list of the email addresses with which you would like to share the memorial, either live or On Demand. The memorials are protected for privacy. Family and friends have the ability to add photos, videos, and comments to the memorial pages. Please consult your funeral director for more information about this service.
Art in the Columbarium: Amy Pruzan
Monday, July 19th, 2010
Amy Pruzan / Blown Away Glass
Pruzan works in a variety of media, but maintains a strong focus on glass and photography. She earned her B.F.A degree, Magna Cum Laude, from Cornish College of the Arts in 2006, with triple majors in sculpture, print, and photography. Pruzan has studied at institutions such as Alexander Muss in Israel, Pilchuck Glass School, and Pratt Fine Arts Center. Her work resides in several permanent collections including the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Pruzan has worked alongside many prominent local artists, such as Sonja Blomdahl, Ginny Ruffner, and Martin Blank. Recently, this Seattle Native has been honored with both the Corning Award nomination form Pilchuck Glass Schools, and the George Tsutakawa Scholarship from Pratt Fine Arts Center.
“Memories are liquid. They are rain drops, fragmented snapshots of history. Over time memories can fade and sharpen, metamorphose, or completely dissolve. I am interested in memory, as both an intimate personal treasure as well as a tangible historical record. I am intrigued by the way people seem to be able to reinvent their memories to favor what could have been, or forget tragedies that should never have occurred. What might it feel like to suffer from Alzheimer’s and lose the memories of your life?
Lewis Hine, once said, ‘Photographs tell the truth…but photographers lie.’ To me, this means that for a photographic image to exist, something in it had to be real. To be able to physically hold a photograph is to freeze time, to capture and preserve a moment. However even photographs can be manipulated and altered to an artist’s vision. So, in my mind, photographs and memories share many common bonds.
In my current work, I examine the parallels and contrasts between the natural world and the world of man. I am interested in the juxtaposition of photographic imagery and objects from nature. Using elements of geology, botany, and water, I hope to explore the ways in which man has attempted to manipulate nature. Concepts of decay, camouflage, and growth play a major role in the development of my work. By depicting relationships between humanity and nature, I challenge viewers to consider their place in the world.” [Excerpt from the artist’s statement]
Amy Pruzan will be showing her work in a solo show at the Art in the Columbarium Gallery, from July 17th to September 1st. The Columbarium is located on the east side of 11220 Aurora Avenue North, and is open to the public Monday through Sunday from 9am to 5pm.
The “Making Cemeteries Relevant” Series
Sunday, July 18th, 2010
Art in the Columbarium Postcard
“Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park in Seattle is one of the most forward thinking and community minded Cemetery and Funeral organizations in North America. In addition to historical projects and tours, Washelli hosts at least six artists per year for solo shows in their Columbarium. Currently, the photography of Winston Rockwell is on view through July 1, 2010. Rockwell has been an avid environmental photographer for three decades and has had his work published in National Geographic Magazine.
I recently had an opportunity to speak with Heather Mitchell, from the Evergreen Washelli Organization. Here is an excerpt from our conversation:
Pat McNally: What do you think the inclusion of art adds to the experience of families visiting the columbarium?
Heather Mitchell: We believe that featuring new artwork in the Columbarium adds a level of comfort for visitors, be they visiting a loved one or coming to appreciate the artist’s work. By presenting these beautifying pieces, we can promote peaceful reflection and a refreshing look at the space. “
Museum of History and Industry Tour
Tuesday, July 6th, 2010
A Carronade from Old Ironsides
The beautiful grounds of Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park serve as the final resting place for some of Seattle’s most influential and memorable figures, including the Denny party who arrived on Alki beach over 150 years ago. You’ll join Paul Elvig, former General Manager of Evergreen Washelli, and Brenda Spicer to explore the lives of pioneers, activists, soldiers, and entrepreneurs who helped shape the diverse history and culture of the Puget Sound region. The tour includes the Washelli Columbarium as well as the exploration of the cemetery grounds. As an added bonus anyone wishing to stay after the tour can accompany General Manager, Scott Sheehan for a personal tour of the Crematory.
The tour is from 10 am – 12:00 pm. Saturday, August 7, 2010.
Tickets are available through www.brownpapertickets.com
Meet at: Memorial park entrance at 11111 Aurora Ave. North, on the east side of Aurora Avenue North, Seattle. Participants will be directed to parking upon entering the park. If you have any questions please email Helen Divjak.
Caring for Caregivers
Monday, July 5th, 2010
Caring for the Caregiver
Tips for Caregivers and Care-receivers
Here are some tips for caregivers and care-receivers:
For Caregivers
• Be creative. If your first solution doesn’t work, find a new one and try again.
• Get reliable information about your care-recipient’s illness and be aware of any emotional issues.
• Plan ahead. Don’t wait for a crisis.
• Don’t panic.
• Learn about your role as a caregiver and improve your skills.
• Practice new coping strategies for the particular challenges you face in caring for your loved one.
• Find your family’s strengths and work together.
• Accept offers of informal support from your family, friends, and community.
• Respect yourself and set limits.
• Take care of yourself with rest, good nutrition, exercise, and some time off.
• Access the formal support of social services in your community.
For Care-receivers
• Forgive others… and yourself.
• Don’t waste your time or energy on things that don’t matter.
• Continue to make happy memories with you loved ones.
• Accept the fact that life isn’t fair.
• Take care of yourself: rest, eat properly, and get some exercise when you are able.
• Thank your caregivers.
• Accept help, in whatever form you need it.
• If your condition is terminal, talk with and help prepare your loved ones whom you will be leaving behind.
Click here to read the article “Preventing Caregiver Burnout,” by Melinda Smith, M.A. and Gina Kemp, M.A. on HELPGUIDE.
Vanessa Page Downing
Sunday, July 4th, 2010
Vanessa Page Downing (March 28, 1984 - June 24, 2010)
[From Nick Perry, The Seattle Times]
In one of her final Facebook messages, Vanessa Page Downing channeled ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes to sum up her new attitude toward life: “With a big enuf bar and the right fulcrum I can lift this whole … WORLDDDDDDDD.”
Ms. Downing was weeks away from finishing her welding apprenticeship — and completing her transformation from homeless “Ave Rat” to inspiring role model — when she was killed in a workplace accident June 24. She was just 26 years old but had lived through a lot.
Friends said that when she was a teen, Ms. Downing ran away from a troubled home life and took to living on University Way Northeast, becoming part of a group of homeless teens living on The Ave.
She expressed her wild, spontaneous personality with dozens of face piercings and by wearing her hair in a bleach-blonde double Mohawk, said friend Louisa Peck. Once, Peck said, Ms. Downing sat outside the University Book Store wearing a red wig and revving a chain saw until police arrived.
When Ms. Downing was about 20, Peck said, she decided to kick her drug and alcohol addictions and began attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Peck said she became Ms. Downing’s sponsor at AA.
“At first she was extremely hyper, she had so much unfocused energy. She was always loud and silly,” Peck said. “But all that energy got focused.”
Ms. Downing stayed sober and began working construction jobs. She also started taking community-college classes, sometimes putting in 12-hour days between her job and her studies.
She grew her hair out in its natural color and got rid of all those piercings. About nine months ago, she bought her first house, in SeaTac. She was due to become a journeyman welder within weeks.
At first, Peck said, Ms. Downing found it hard to deal with all the lewd comments at the male-dominated construction sites.
“Eventually that completely stopped being a problem. She used humor and a thick skin, and became so good at what she did that people had to respect her,” Peck said. “She was very determined to journey out and become a leading woman in the field of construction.”
Peck said Ms. Downing became an inspiration to other Ave Rats.
“She not only sponsored other people, but when she told her story, the kids could see she really did know about The Ave — and look at her now.”
Another friend, Val Renata, said Ms. Downing always wanted to help society’s “throwaways.” For instance, she would regularly drive an old character named Ted to AA meetings. Ted had mental-health problems, Renata said, and nobody but Ms. Downing wanted anything to do with him.
Ms. Downing loved to play the guitar and would sometimes work a solo opening act for local bands.
Boyfriend Jacob Reid said Ms. Downing kept her spontaneity. She would walk down the street and high-five strangers, bringing a smile to their faces.
Last Thursday, according to the Seattle Fire Department, Ms. Downing was aboard a construction barge when she was struck in the head by a barge crane. Friends say their understanding is Ms. Downing was crouched over doing some welding and was in the crane operator’s blind spot.
The accident is being investigated by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, said Jeannine Lupton, a spokeswoman for the Department of Labor. Lupton said the investigation could take several months.
A spokesman for Manson Construction, where Ms. Downing worked, described her as a “wonderful employee and a very vibrant, energetic young lady.”
Peck said Ms. Downing is an ideal organ donor who will help many others: “Apparently because of the circumstances of the death, a lot of people got the call.”
Ms. Downing’s immediate family could not be reached for this story. A memorial service will be at 6 p.m., July 8, in the chapel of the Evergreen Washelli funeral home, 11111 Aurora Ave. N.
Funeral Information
Memorial service Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 6:00pm in the chapel of Evergreeen Washelli Funeral Home.
Memorial Barbecue/Benefit Ride July 17th, at 2:30pm in Bothell, WA: more details here.
July is for Joggers
Thursday, July 1st, 2010
Click here for a Walking Map of the grounds with mileage.
We’ll supply complimentary bottled water on weekends at the Evergreen Washelli office, 11111 Aurora Avenue North. Check out what reviewers are saying about Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park on Yelp:
“Want to get away from it all? Want to lose the crowds yet be surrounded by people? Want a nice quiet spot on Aurora to eat lunch and contemplate the meaning of life? This is it. There are several sections to this park. I like the war memorial area and also the place where the old timers are buried.”
“It is a nice, peaceful place to take a walk, contemplate life in a serene setting, or just get some exercise because there are some hills in this place!”
“I really enjoy walking through here and I regularly see other people riding their bikes, walking their dogs, or jogging through here so I’m happy to know that other people frequent this place and treat it like a park.”
“I just like strolling around through it. It’s quite peaceful, and is like a park without the swingset…”
“I had been on a walking program for years. After my daughter was killed in a car crash and my father-in-law succumbed to pneumonia I walked occasionally. Then my brother died and my walking program came to a halt. This was too bad, because exercise has many benefits…
Exercise was the last thing on my mind. I sat on the couch for hours, remembering, crying, and worrying. Television programs diverted my grief for a while and then I would have a reality check. Grief had turned me into a blob and something had to be done.”
Read the rest of this article Regular Exercise May Help You Cope With Grief by Harriet Hodgson here.