Carolyn Marie Calhoon

This Mother’s Day Carolyn Calhoon was not here on earth to celebrate. On May 11 she ended her struggle with pancreatitis and peacefully passed after her family was able to circle around her and comfort each other. Carolyn Marie Beach was born to Charles and Evelyn Beach on June 10, 1940. She was raised in Marinette, Wisconsin. Her family moved to Tacoma in 1945 and she attended Stadium High School, where she and her girlfriends started a women’s basketball team. She graduated in 1958, forth in her large class. Shortly after she met Jim Calhoon at Lutheran Bible Institute and the two married August 8th, 1959. Ten months later they started their family with the arrival Connie and three years after that, Christine. Along with being a wonderful mother and loving wife, she had a long career with the Federal Way School District Transportation department as a bus driver, dispatcher and then Assistant Transportation Director. She enjoyed many work friendships, Lakeland Community Club membership, hanging out on Lake Killarney and dirt bike riding. The Birch Bay cabin had been a favorite vacation and relaxing spot for the family so it was very natural for them to choose to retire there in 2002. They down sized, but brought her huge frog collection with them. Into her 30’s and 40’s she enjoyed many softball games and soccer matches but her current athletic events mostly included gardening and riding her blue tricycle, preferable with a grand dog in the basket and a grandchild on the back. Carolyn loved puzzles, and playing games and was very good at them. She also enjoyed reading, watching old television shows and taking beautiful pictures. Her yarn bag was always nearby with a scarf, hat, or other creative crocheted creation in process. She was the best editor of family writing projects and had a great head for financial details. She, with her husband Jim of 57 years, enjoyed going to yard sales, crabbing and visiting with family and neighbors. She and Jim also were involved with various committees in the Birch Bay area, including the Wings over Water NW Birding Festival where she assisted youngsters with the bird house construction and helped facilitate the coloring contest. Carolyn is survived by her husband James Calhoon, brother Charles Beach, her daughters Connie Taylor, Christine (Michael) Anderson, niece Brenna Beach, Grandchildren Joseph (Kelley Svenvold) Taylor, Samantha (Kyle) Martin, Jacquelyn Anderson, Jillian Anderson, step grandchildren Jimmy Taylor and Adam (Jamie) Taylor, and three step great grandchildren. The Celebration of Carolyn’s life will be held at Moles (Main St.) Ferndale on May 26th at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, please hug your mom, pay your bills on time, water your flowers, and congratulate your companions on a game well played.

Carolyn Marie Calhoon

June 10, 1940 - May 11, 2017