Garnett Lorraine PARRISH

Garnett PARRISH Obituary

PARRISH, Garnett Lorraine
(Johnson)
Daughter of Swedish Immigrants, Emil and Betty Johnson, Garnett was born in Des Moines, Iowa, July 14, 1918, passed away in Redmond, WA, September 6, 2010. She spent her childhood and the majority of her life in Sacramento, CA, moving to Bellevue with husband John in 1985. She was a proud graduate of Grant Union High School. Early on, Garnett worked for the State of California. She battled the effects of polio most of her life, never complaining. Garnett volunteered for the Catholic Ministries and sewed for the Lutheran Home and other charities. An avid reader, Mariners fan and traveler, she never forgot a birthday. She was fond of anything Swedish, including Swedish meatballs, pancakes and Lingonberry jam. Predeceased by husband John and brother Hubert. Survived by sister Adeline, children David (Gail), Kristen (Larry) Boyer, grandchildren Philip, E.P. (Jamie) and Matthew Hadler, Angela, Danielle and Kirk Parrish, Brad Boyer and Cindy Boyer-Knott, 5 great grandchildren and relatives in Sweden. A memorial service will be held @ Redeemer Lutheran Church, Mercer Island, WA. Donations may be made to Grant Union High School Alumni Assoc. Scholarship Fund, PO Box 660412, Sacramento, CA 95866. Remembrances may be shared @ www.sunsethillsfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Sacramento Bee from Sep. 23 to Sep. 24, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Garnett PARRISH

12 Entries

October 7, 2010

Dear Family,

We just received word that Aunt Garnet (Great Aunt Garnet) has passed
away. She was beloved to all of us and I am sure she will make a
splendid addition amongst GODs Angels and those that we have loved
that are like the Angels now. May she truly rest in Peace with the LORD.

Kristin & David,
You also have our prayers and our condolences for your loss.

Lots of Love to you all...

Love,
Amy, David, & Thomas (& Lynn)

October 7, 2010

Kristen, David, Larry & Gail, and Grandkids

My sincere sympathies in the loss of a very dear and courageous Mother and Grandmother. I will miss her happy spirit, and treasure all the memories I have of your Mom. I will never forget her perseverance, and the love she had for all of her family.

Much love and prayers for all of you in your time of grief. Psalm 23.

Sally and Family

October 7, 2010

i have two pages about Garnett but have not been able to get it through so far. I may resort to ohandwritten. It's 730 and I have to walk in the dark but here goes. Garnett deserves a book written in her honor. She was the most amazing woman I've known in my 89 years!!! In spite of her severe polio at a young age she managed a positive life--always smiling, never complaining , ready to laugh......... She kept aware of current events and had the courage to drive until her last years..... When Ollie was working in L>A>, she drove herself and me to Los Angeles to spend the weekend with him.!!!She was helped on to a friend's large sailboat in Newport Beach--never hesitating. She was always ready for adventure and a new idea!!!! That included flying to Africa by herself. Because she was so cheerful and beautiful, people were happy to help her over the rough spots. She loved her mother, watching over her in Sacramento nursing home for years.....She loved ZKristen , David and Johnny and did everything as independently as possible so as not to be a burden. She never exacted pity. That was not her style....... One of my strongest memories was her living in Sacramento alone. he had invited Ollie and me to stay over night after we attended a party in Sacramento after driving from Los Gatos. We rng th doorbell avery long time and then Garnett opened the door!!!!!!!!! There she was on her knees--without braces on her legs!!!!!We had never seen her REAL LIFE....decades of cmplete vulnerability....She appeared beautiful, , functiioning efficiently and always cheerful.--amazing difference but still cheerful and hospitable..... After that, I realized she was an angel on this earth... She had high moral standards but was forgiving and open minded....a true inspiration. Few people with her life would not be resentful and bitter. She had none of that in her heart that was ever evident to me. She communcated very well with humor andk nowledge of current events and was always aware of members of her family....interested in their activities in detail......REmarkable.....I'm sure she was the nspiration for her brother, Ollie to endure the three years of complete leg paralysis with unremitting pain. Yes, Garnett was an angel and we who knew her and were influenced by her are blessed . Sorry I could not be up there for her last days and to comfort you---David and Kristen---Lots and lots of love, Aunt Betty

October 7, 2010

Dear David and family

I truly regret that I (we) will not be able to attend the memorial you are having for your mother. She has always been a very special person to me.

You said that people could send messages to read at the memorial but I am afraid that mine would be redundant. You see, I never once heard her complain or say a negative thing about anyone. She always seemed to have a smile anytime I saw her. She never asked for any help and, I believe, tried to be independent for as long as she was able.

She loved to recount the trips she was able to take and had an uncanny memory for all the places she had been, who with, and any side trips they took her on. Her independence served her well during that period of her life.

I have such fond memories of Garnett, and John too, especially during my pre-teen years. If John would show up while we kids were playing ping-pong, he delighted in challenging us and then summarily beating the socks off of us with his ambidexterity. We would get upset but the fact that he took the time to play with us is what we would always remember. And with Garnett, she was always a friendly person (and very pretty too) to go to when you were down or just wanted an adult to talk to.

Anyway, I loved them both and feel sad that they are gone from my life.

Love, Gwen

October 7, 2010

For Kristen and David and all of Garnett's grandchildren, great grandchildren, family and friends:

I am sad that I was not able to be there in person to share my thoughts at your mother's memorial services.

I hope you will be able to share this with your family and friends.

Garnett will be always be remembered in my heart as a woman of not only great character but also one of fortitude and perseverance. She had a profound influence in my life as I grew from a child into a young woman, into a mother and a grandmother. Her expression of love for her family deeply affected the foundations of my own beliefs about parenting. Her family meant so much to her and it was evident when she talked of you all. Every time one of her grandchildren and great children was born Garnett was flying with joy!

Garnett never allowed her physical limitations to limit her thinking nor limit her in taking part in all of life's adventures. I pray that someday I will have the opportunity to tell you, her precious family, some of the great adventures she and my mother shared with me. She never complained and always had a positive attitude. She inspired me to keep going against all odds. She was there for me when my mother passed away and many times over the last 5 years since my mother's death. Every time we spoke on the phone she shared about how much she missed my mom and we laughed when we shared some of the good memories we both had of her. There was a time when I was deeply grieving and Garnett reminded me how much my parents loved me. She will never be forgotten nor will her contribution to my life. I have imagined her up in heaven overcome with joy, as she is closer to her Father God whom I believe she knew well. I see her running, jumping and singing with her beloved Johnny and treasured friends Maggie and Mac. Who really knows but I believe they are all looking upon us and cheering us on! I am sure that Garnett is among the â€œheavenly cloud of witnessesâ€� and I believe she hears how much she was loved and will be missed. God Bless you and your family. My prayers and thoughts are with you.

I will remember you well, precious Garnett, I will never forget your courage!

Eleanor McCampbell

Leslie Houang

October 7, 2010

You must be so proud to see how much your family and friends love you. My mom, your sister, misses you very much. I'm glad that you were able to talk on the phone. It means so much to her.

Thanks for the memories,
Love, Leslie

Gary Compton

September 26, 2010

My Mother Pearl M. Compton who passed away on 16 Dec 2009 in Santa Cruz, always considered Garnett as her best friend. They had been friends for 83 years ever since the 2nd grade in Rio Linda. They both were 1935 graduates of Grant Union High School together. I know my Mom would appreciate this rememberance of her very good friend, Garnett. God Bless you Garnett.

Matthew Hadler

September 23, 2010

Grandmother. Thank you for your love and positivity during my childhood. It must've taken a lot of restraint not to reprimand me every time I saw you. Especially considering all the trouble I caused during my younger years. Thank you for my Mother and what a great person and Mother she has been to me. You will always be in my thoughts. I love you.

September 23, 2010

Ewa Westlin and Jenny Westlin are Garnetts relatives from Sweden. We would like to pay our respect to our beloved Garnett since we are not able to attend the funeral. Please give these words to the family on Saturday the 25 of September. We send you all our love and thoughts, we adore Garnett as the greatest personality we've meet. She will always be in our hearts being the happy, kind and generous person. We meet her twice and made a huge impression on both Ewa and myself. We will meet again Garnett, rest in peace. Love always Jenny and Ewa-Marie.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to send this last words.
Kind regards
Jenny Westlin

Christmas 2009, Garnett with my sister Flo at Dave and Gails home.

Georgene DeWald

September 23, 2010

Dear Garnett, you are inspiration to me and I am sure to all who met you along life's path. You will always be the inspiration for me to live my life looking at the bright side and enjoy life's many pleasures. I'm so glad we had the happy times together we had sharing holidays with you and your family. Your are a shining example of a life well lived. Bless you as you are now in the arms of the Father.

Brad Boyer

September 22, 2010

I will always remember Garnett during the holidays, sitting in her chair, with a bright smile and a kind word for everyone that came and talked to her.

Gail Spangenberg-Parrish

September 22, 2010

Garnett. We will miss you who always had a warm smile for everyone. You were truly a GREAT mother in law and a caring grandmother to all your grandchildren. Rest in the peace, which you so readily deserve as you join John.
With much love - Gail

Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results