About Us

As fourth-generation steward of the Moles family business, John continues to find meaning in facilitating a team of associates providing innovative healing for those experiencing a loss. John’s background includes serving the community through numerous nonprofits and service organizations, and his schooling includes the University of Washington, Seattle Pacific, and the MBA program at Western Washington.

John has served in all positions in funeral and cemetery operations and has maintained a special focus serving the people of the Nooksack and Lummi Nations. John and his wife of over 20 lovely years, Anathea, are raising a family of nine children on a farm on Lummi Island.

Michael joined Moles in 2001, and after assisting a family grieving the loss of a loved one, Michael immediately realized he had found his calling. Combining a passion to serve those in need of cemetery arrangements at the worst time in their lives, along with the opportunity to serve others planning their own wishes for the future; both farewell tributes (aka funeral/cremation arrangements) and memorialization (aka memorial headstones and cemetery arrangements), has proven to be the most fulfilling of career choices. Moles Farewell Tributes provides Michael with the freedom and continued encouragement to exercise degrees in business administration (MBA) and marketing to create and oversee the development of new gardens at the company’s cemetery; Greenacres Memorial Park, memorialization offerings, and customized farewell tributes. Through ongoing training and staff development, Michael enjoys sharing his knowledge and years of experience to help his fellow team members provide every family served with the caring, professional attention they deserve and value in funeral care.

My name is Stephenie Garcia, and I grew up in the High Desert of Southern California.

I originally planned to pursue a career in large animal veterinary medicine and attended UC Davis in California. As my education progressed, I realized my path was leading me in a different direction. Looking for a fresh start and a new adventure, I road-tripped the coast and wound up in Bellingham, and what began as an opportunity to explore quickly became home.

After my previous career, I discovered funeral service, and I knew I had found my true calling. It is a privilege to guide families through one of life's most difficult moments and to help create meaningful tributes that honor the lives of those they love. My greatest goal is to ensure that every family feels supported, cared for, and confident that their loved one's story has been remembered with dignity and compassion.

Today, I live on a farm with my husband and our wonderful menagerie of animals. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors, working around the farm, hiking, and exploring the beautiful mountain trails on horseback. The peace I find in nature helps me bring the same sense of calm, compassion, and dedication to the families I have the honor of serving.

Micah was born in Kirkland, Washington, and spent most of his childhood on the island of Maui, Hawaiʻi. His path into funeral service was not the one he originally expected. For many years, he planned to attend seminary and pursue pastoral ministry. However, when his father-in-law, John Moles, offered him an opportunity to join Moles Farewell Tributes, Micah decided to give funeral service a try. Within six months, he knew he had found his calling. Guided by his Christian faith and a heart for service, he considers it a privilege to walk alongside families during one of the most difficult seasons of their lives with compassion, dignity, and care.

Micah believes one of the most meaningful parts of funeral service is building lasting relationships and earning the trust of the families he serves. He is currently pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree in Funeral Service Education through Lake Washington Institute of Technology as he continues to grow professionally and prepare for the future leadership of Moles Farewell Tributes.

Micah and his wife live in Lynden, Washington, with their two children. Outside of work, he enjoys playing recreational volleyball and softball, taking walks with his family to local parks, beaches, and creeks, and watching his children discover the world around them. As a former resident of Lummi Island, he also treasures opportunities to unplug, slow down, and enjoy the peaceful beauty of the Pacific Northwest. His goal is to ensure every family feels cared for, heard, and supported while creating meaningful tributes that celebrate the lives of those they love.

Jesse Enriquez is the Grounds Superintendent and a licensed crematory operator. He has been a resident of Whatcom County for more than a decade, having moved to the area from California with his wife and children.

Jesse takes great pride in serving local families and helping maintain the beauty and peaceful surroundings of Greenacres Memorial Park. He is dedicated to ensuring that the grounds are cared for with respect and dignity, while also providing families with compassionate support and helping them give their loved ones a dignified final goodbye.

As a funeral director for Moles Farewell Tributes & Crematory, Dr. Dale Pollard coordinates operations at the downtown Ferndale location on Main Street. For more than a decade, he has been part of the team caring for Native families in the Lummi and Nooksack nations. He is Moles Farewell Tributes & Crematory’ primary celebrant/officiant for families in need of help for Celebrations of Life and Graveside Committals.

Dr. Dale is also an ordained Deacon in the Catholic Church based at Sacred Heart Church in Bellingham, WA., serving the Archdiocese of Seattle in Whatcom County. As a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, he helps assist the needy in Whatcom County and the Archdiocese. He has served the Catholic families of Whatcom County for many years in funeral planning and looks forward to expanding care for local Catholic families.

I am the Prep-Room Coordinator, as well as an Embalmer and Funeral Directing Intern. I was born just outside of San Francisco and have called the Pacific Northwest home since 2006.

My interest in death care began in an unusual way. As a child, I was fascinated by Ancient Egypt, mummies, archaeology, and the funeral rites and traditions of different cultures. That curiosity eventually led me to Western Washington University, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and Anthropology. During my time at Western, I presented research and managed the Primatology and Osteology Lab.

After graduating, I began working in archaeology, but I soon realized that it was not the career I had envisioned for myself. I went on to spend nearly three years working as an autopsy technician and death investigator for a county medical examiner’s office. That experience ultimately led me to discover my true calling in funeral service.

Today, I have the privilege of serving families both behind the scenes and directly through my work in the funeral home. Whether I am preparing someone for their final farewell or assisting a family through the funeral directing process, I strive to be a light during some of life’s darkest moments. My goal is to ease some of the burden families carry during a time of loss and to provide care, dignity, and compassion throughout the process.

When I am not at work, I enjoy coming home to my adorable—but slightly crazy—cats, Aphrodite and Hathor, my sweet bearded dragon, Sobek, and my wonderful husband and partner-in-crime, AJ.

Marlyse came out of retirement to join our team. She is very happy working at the front and greeting everyone. She has many years of experience working with grieving families in Seattle and has taken 2 years of classes on funeral and cemetery law. Her resume is as diverse as her interests; she has owned a successful flooring and design store for 2 decades and has since worked as a high-end pastry chef. On a personal note, Marlyse has been a single mother for 40 years and lives with her daughter and son-in-law in the woods. She’s always got a hug and a kind word for anyone who crosses her path.

I was born and raised in Cuba.

When we moved to the States, I automatically became the translator and advocate for my family due to the language barrier, with Spanish being our mother tongue.

I worked as a Nurse’s Assistant at an Elementary School in Nevada for 7 years. I wiped their tears and put a band-aid on their cuts and scrapes. Sometimes I would place one on their shirts, so their little hearts wouldn’t be sad. I miss them so much, and I hope they all grew up to be healthy adults.

Losing someone in death is the most hurtful event that we experience as humans. I try to be the person whom I would like to be welcomed if I was the one who lost a loved one.

With a decade of experience as a registered nurse, I’ve built my career on a foundation of deep compassion, quiet presence, and advocacy. That calling has since led me to a unique and sacred role: I now serve as a first-call responder for Moles Farewell Tributes, working alongside my husband to bring individuals into our care from the place where they have passed. It’s a profound honor to be entrusted with someone’s loved one in those first, most tender moments, and I approach every transfer with the same empathy, dignity, and gentleness that guided my years at the bedside. End-of-life care remains the heart of my work, and I’m grateful to continue walking alongside families through this deeply meaningful threshold.

When I’m not on call, you’ll find me recharging in the places and pursuits that ground me. My two Australian shepherds keep me moving and laughing, then reward a long shift with the very best snuggles. I’m an avid e-bike rider and can often be found exploring Bellingham and the wider Whatcom County landscape—sparkling water in hand, wind in my face, heading toward a favorite trail or a tucked-away farm stand. Nature is my daily medicine, and I make time each day to heal and reset outdoors, soaking up the quiet power of our Pacific Northwest forests, waterways, and wide-open skies. I also love everything local: live music, neighborhood restaurants, and the farmers who make this community so rich.

I was born and raised right here in Bellingham, and my roots in this town run deep. Community, camaraderie, and family shape not only how I live but how I practice my calling. I’m especially passionate about educating and supporting families through the end-of-life journey and the grief that follows, knowing from both professional and personal experience that no one should walk that road alone. Whether I’m caring for someone who has passed, comforting a grieving family, or simply connecting with a neighbor at the farmer’s market, I lead with the same values: show up fully, love fiercely, and leave every space a little softer than you found it.

Tony Branch is a distinguished leader with over thirty years of experience. He has managed large teams and complex operations across the military, private sector, and healthcare. His career began in the U.S. Navy in 1984, where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander and directed multinational missions all around the globe until his retirement in 2006. He has also held key roles in finance, logistics, operations and higher education.

He brings expertise in human resources, budgeting, and strategic planning. Tony has managed multi-million-dollar budgets and led teams of up to 300 personnel. His experience includes financial advising for Citi Smith Barney, logistics management for UPS, and refinery operations at British Petroleum.

Tony has also served in Business Office Management working in healthcare, overseeing finances and human resources for multiple skilled nursing facilities and is also a Certified Nursing Assistant, bringing a hands-on approach to patient care. Tony and his wife, Amy, have a long history of committed community service and continue to serve Whatcom County and surrounding areas as First-Call Responders for Moles Farewell Tributes.

Caitlyn has been among the Pacific Northwest flora and fauna since she was first thought of. Born and raised in Whatcom County with a green thumb and a healthy fear of the creator, Caitlyn learned her passion lies in the preservation and nurturing of god's creation. Whether it's her close family of fiancée Carl, bonus son Luka, and cat Magnum Opus. Or the gardens at Greenacres and her home in the sticks outside the city borders, she is always keeping them with gentle care.

"When I started at Greenacres in 2024, there was definitely part of my calling in life lying dormant. But as my career has blossomed, so have I. The compassion and importance of my position is more meaningful than I could have imagined. I love being the reason families get to come visit us and see a little color when certain times offer so much gray. It's a purpose I will never take for granted." 

In her free time, she likes to ride her motorcycle, spend time with loved ones, and find joy wherever she can. She dedicates her hard work and career to her grandmother, Phyllis Lankhaar, who taught her most of what she knows. 

My name is Yelena, and I was born in Kyrgyzstan, then part of the former Soviet Union. When I was seven, my family moved to Russia, and at the age of twelve, we immigrated to California. It was there that I completed my education and met my future husband, who had moved from Washington to attend college.

We were married in 2004 and have been blessed with four wonderful sons. We are now excitedly awaiting the arrival of our first grandchild. In 2010, our family made the move to Bellingham, Washington, and it has truly become home. I especially love the Pacific Northwest summers and everything this beautiful region has to offer.

Although death is an uncomfortable subject for many people, I have been interested in funeral service from a young age. Throughout my life, I have had the privilege of being present with several individuals during their final moments, experiences that deepened my compassion and reinforced my desire to serve others during some of life's most difficult times.

I have been part of the Moles Family Services team for nearly three years. In my role, I help maintain accurate records for those who have been cremated, scattered, or laid to rest at Greenacres Memorial Park. I also have the privilege of helping families honor and remember their loved ones by assisting with the care and memorialization of their gravesites.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, walking, camping, doing Sudoku puzzles, hiking, singing karaoke, baking, and traveling—especially when it involves a cruise.

Marcos was born and raised in Bellingham, Washington. Marcos Xavier Palma attended Bellingham High School. After becoming Catholic in 2022, Marcos developed a deep appreciation for the faith and the sacred traditions surrounding the end of life. He is a committed altar server at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where he has had the privilege of serving at numerous Catholic funerals before beginning his work at Moles.

As an Intern Funeral Director, Marcos finds the most meaningful part of funeral service in the sacred nature of the work. He values the opportunity to serve families during some of the most important and difficult moments of their lives, helping them honor and remember those they have lost with dignity, compassion, and reverence.

Outside of funeral service, Marcos’s interests include creative writing and learning guitar. He also enjoys spending time with friends, whether talking together or watching movies.