Evelyn Mae Valentine

Evelyn, at the age of 103 years, died on November 6, 2010 in Shoreline, WA with the same grace and strength that marked her life.Evelyn was born to Edwin L. and Caroline Peabody Sampson on August 23, 1907 in Denver, Colorado. At the age of three, she and her family moved to Seattle. The family moved to Ketchikan, Alaska when Evelyn was five and her brother, Kenneth was born there. Except for a period of about four years when her family moved back to Seattle, Ketchikan was her home until 1997. Evelyn then moved to Seattle, to be near her son and daughter-in-law; daughter and extended family. Evelyn made this transition gracefully, making new friends and pursuing her former interests in her new community.Evelyn and Jake Valentine were married in 1930 in Ketchikan where they made their home, their livings, and raised their three children: John, Venetia, and Peter.Evelyn was passionate about many things: her children, her home, her job and her various interests.She was a voracious reader but she also liked to be productive. She maintained a lovely home, often saying, A home is a reflection of who you are. She was an accomplished seamstress, knitter, crocheter, walker and Duplicate Bridge player. She was always beautiful and fashionable, managing to be impeccably groomed and perfectly dressed - even in her last years when her sight was severely impaired. Her incredible memory and ability to maintain order made many things possible for her throughout her life, including her being able to live independently until she was 102; even though she had lost most of her eyesight and hearing.During her life in Alaska, and after she moved to Seattle, Evelyn took great pleasure in her membership in The PEO Sisterhood; The Order of Eastern Star; and The United Methodist Church. She was a loyal friend and also a conscientious member of whatever organization she joined.Evelyn will be missed by those many people who loved her and continue to be amazed by her. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Paul Valentine (Jake); daughter Venetia Wood; and son, Peter Christian Valentine. She is survived by her son, John Valentine (Sheila); grandchildren: Kaari Kilbourn (Scot), Eric Valentine (Jenni), Trevor Valentine (Tiffany), Brian Wood, John Wood (Chris), and Kelley Woodrich (Cory); and eleven great grandchildren. In addition, she leaves behind, Sheilas daughters, Erin Page; Margot Page (Anthony Salisbury) and the three Page-Salisbury children. Announcement: In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to Washington Talking Books Braille Library, (WTBBL) 2012 9th Ave., Seattle, WA 98121; or Haller Lake United Methodist Church, 13055 1st Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98125.