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King5 covers the story of how this brave hero’s grave was lost for decades, and how one firefighter sought to make this right.
After some international research, the family was found, and Evergreen Washelli along with the Fire Department were able to come to a touching resolution in honor of Luther Bonner.
In remembrance of B. David Daly.
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. “
Vanessa Page Downing (March 28, 1984 - June 24, 2010)
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.
Winston Rockwell
Rockwell is a lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest, and currently lives in the heart of the Puget Sound region of western Washington. He writes, “This area is rich with opportunities (in spite of the gloomy, rainy weather), and offers an outdoor photographer a wide variety of environments. Within three or four hours’ drive from my home, I can be at the seashore, surrounded by sagebrush or rolling farmlands, in a rainforest, or high in the mountains. I find the beauty and variety of nature far more appealing than man-made subjects, and love to spend my free time capturing that beauty in my images.”
Winston “Rocky” Rockwell will be showing his work in a solo show at the Art in the Columbarium Gallery, from June 1st to July 12th. The Columbarium is located on the east side of 11111 Aurora Avenue North, and is open to the public Monday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm. Click here to read the Artist’s Statement and Biography
Photograph courtesy Dave Johanson
On Monday, May 31, 2010, Evergreen Washelli hosted the 84th Annual Memorial Day Commemorative Service. Thank you for joining us as we honored America’s fallen and salute the flags on our ‘Avenue of Colors.’
Our appreciation goes to soloist Maria Kesovija, as well as the Seattle Pacific University Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Drum Corps, and guest speaker, Colonel Eric R. Vogt. Special thanks to Skip Dreps for leading the Guided Veterans Tour following the ceremony.
Thank you on behalf of the Veterans Memorial Cemetery Board of Trustees:
Michael J. Eagan, President • COL. Raymond W. Coffey, USAR/WSG
RADM Horton Smith • Brig Gen Marcia Clark
Robert P. Richard • COL Donald P. Larson
Gregory “Skip” Dreps
Read and watch more about the ceremony here:
• Channel 5 news article
• Hundreds gather for Memorial Day ceremony in Seattle, by Casey McNerthney, SeattlePI.
• Channel 5 Buglers at Evergreen Washelli
• Channel 4 KOMO news
• Channel 4 article
• Channel 4 : photographs of different cemeteries around the country celebrating Memorial Day
The Bothell 1st Ward of The Church of Latter Day Saints volunteers.
Special thanks for Joanne and Steve Allen for taking the initiative and organizing the group!
APAmonth
Wing Luke, Ruby Chow, boy scouts, and noodles.
Celebrated Arborist Arthur Lee Jacobson guides our walking Tree Tour.
The tour occurred on Earth Day, and proceeds from ticket sales went to the Arboretum Foundation and Plant Amnesty. Our utmost thanks go to Mister Jacobson for his generosity in taking the time to be our guide, and all those who attended the tour.
Harry Wappler