OBITUARIES: June 26th, 2002

Holly M. Swartz, Marjorie L. Monnett, John Currey Braun

Holly M. Swartz

Holly Swartz, a South Whidbey resident, died June 20, 2002.

She was born Oct. 1, 1971 to Jack and Marjorie Monnett.

According to her family, she was the kind of person who would make your day a little bit better. If you passed her on the street, she was the one to smile and say “hello.” To her, there were no strangers: If there was someone in need, she was the first to offer, even though she was rarely the one in the position to do so.

Ms. Swartz was proud to be a member of her family. When she was with her brothers and sisters, she was excited to show her friends what kind of family she had.

Words cannot describe her selflessness and generosity. Holly Swartz lived to make those around her feel better about themselves. She was always there with a listening ear, a shoulder to lean or cry on, and an offer to help in any way she could.

Holly’s driving passion was her daughter, Sage. A 7-year-old reflection of her mother, Sage was Holly’s life. Holly’s life was not without trial, but when at times it seemed to her that there was nothing left to go on for, Sage would be there to remind her of the innocent and simple joy of living.

Swartz is survived by her daughter, Sage; her father, John Daniel “Jack” Monnett; brothers and sisters Scott, Ross, Ginger Sine’, West, Danny, Bruce and Wendy and their spouses; numerous nieces and nephews; and countless friends.

A memorial for Holly and her mother, Marjie, will be held at Visser Funeral Home, 432 Third St., Langley, 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 27.

In the tragedy that took the lives of Holly and her mother, Marjie, Sage had her mother and grandmother — the two most important people in her life — taken from her. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations for Sage be sent to Sage Monnett Trust Fund, Washington Mutual Bank, 1561 E. Main St., Freeland, WA 98249.

Marjorie L. Monnett

Marjorie L. Monnett of Freeland died June 20, 2002.

She was born Jan. 17, 1947, to Vincent and Flavia Logothetti.

She unconditionally dedicated her life to her children — Scott, Ross, Holly, Ginger Sine’, West, Danny, Bruce and Wendy, along with many of her children’s spouses and significant others. She also deeply loved her grandchildren — Valerie, Claire, Ben, Luke, Keenan, Haley, Sage, Serena, Bobbi and Bentley. Marjie deeply cherished her father, Vincent Logothetti and late mother, Flavia Logothetti; sisters Sue Thorson and Doris Lombard; and brothers Tom Logothetti and the late David Logothetti.

She found interest in all people; all she met were considered friends, and the sphere of her influence was tremendous and far-reaching.

According to her family, always the thinker and problem-solver, Ms. Monnett devoted much of her time to various committees and boards, offering her unique and insightful perspective. She loved her work, because her work consisted of helping people to realize what they could accomplish on their own. She never judged rashly, and expected the same of others.

At the core of her life was her love and devotion to her eight children. Those who knew her were always reminded of the pride and love she felt for them. Not a day went by that she didn’t receive countless calls from her children, asking her advice and ideas about all aspects of their lives. She lived for them, and in return they devoted themselves to her.

Ms. Monnett was truly a woman full of love and life. She was creative, energetic and intelligent, and very few had the vigor and energy to keep up. She lived her life without regret. Her relationships with her children were as close as any could be, and she was a uniting force in life, and even more so in death. She lived and ultimately died for her children.

A memorial for Marjie and her daughter, Holly, will be held at Visser Funeral Home, 432 Third St., Langley, 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 27.

Norman Barnett

Family members and the many friends of longtime Whidbey Island resident Norman Barnett mourn-ed after his passing June 18, 2002.

Mr. Barnett was a veteran of World War II who went on to work many years in Alaska and elsewhere as a member of the Operators Union Local 302.

He was a resident of Lagoon Point for years, where he enjoyed the respect and friendship of his neighbors. His family, friends and neighbors will miss him greatly. His wife of 35 years, Marty, died in 1996. He married Christi Harrier in 2000 and is survived by her.

No services are planned. Arrangements are through Visser Funeral Home, Langley.

John Currey Braun

With his dog and his friends by his side, John Currey Braun passed away June 21, 2002.

Mr. Braun was born Sept. 22, 1922, in Wenatchee to John and Mary Mitchell Braun. He graduated from Wenatchee High School in 1940 and was selected to be a clarinetist in the U.S. National High School Band in Los Angeles. Later he spent five years in the Army Band.

Mr. Braun subsequently enrolled in the School of Music at the University of Washington, changed to the School of Art, Art History and Design, and transferred to the University of Oregon, where he received a bachelor of science degree in 1953, a master of fine arts in 1954 and a bachelor of architecture degree in 1959.

He taught art history at the University of Southern California, Otis Art Institute, UCLA, UC-Davis and Seattle University before moving to Langley in 1971 with his mother, Mary McNeal.

His history here has been so full and diverse, it is impossible to list it all. In short, Mr. Braun and his mother opened Sipapu, an art shop (meaning “place of emergence”) which they maintained throughout the 1970s. He taught art at the community college and in his studio for many years. In 1975 he was one the creative and driving forces of Choochokam — originally a fine arts fair and now a popular craft event in Langley.

He was an original member of the Langley Design Review Board. His incredible gardening, self-taught gourmet cooking, shamanistic art and individualistic opinions and contributions to our community are well-known and well-appreciated.

Mr. Braun is survived by his stepbrother, Frank McNeal and wife Betty of Wenatchee; nieces and nephews Shannon, Jaclyn and Michael Huehn of Wenatchee, and Lauri McNeal and Robert Cochran of Seattle; and numerous cousins from the Braun and Mitchell families. He was preceded in death by his mother in 1991 and his father in 1984.

A private service was held at his property on the date of the summer solstice.

John’s family and friends ask that you remember him with a donation to the arts or to Home Health Care & Hospice of Whidbey General Hospital, P.O. Box 400, Coupeville, WA 98239.

James A. Reeves

The Rev. James A. Reeves, 64, a retired Episcopal rector, died June 23, 2002, at his Greenbank home.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, June 26, 2002, at 6:15 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. Carol Harlacher officiating. Private inurnment will take place at a later date.

Arrangements and cremation are under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.