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Carmen Scott Obituary
Carmen Scott, 77 of Des Moines WA, passed away after a courageous battle against cancer on November 28th 2014 with family by her side. She was born to the late James and Myrtle Haugen on January 3rd 1937 in Elma WA. Carmen attended Sunnydale elementary and Highline High School graduating in 1955. She married the late Jack Bonathan in 1955 and moved to Des Moines in 1962. Carmen remarried the late Lelant "Scotty" Scott December 8th 1973 and remained a life-long resident of Des Moines.
Carmen spent the first 5 years of her life in the Auburn valley where she loved to spend weekends on her grandparent's farm. In 1942 the family moved to Bonnie Wood a small community in Burien WA. Early in Carmen's adult life she taught music lessons part-time while raising three children. In the early 70's she found her true calling selling real estate for John L. Scott of Burien. Carmen thrived and excelled in real estate and loved the freedom to set her own schedule and work directly with customers. In 1977 while working for Coldwell Banker of Tukwila she was awarded top revenue producer of the year. In the 1980's while working for Windermere reality of Federal Way she sold a property to the chairman of Weyerhaeuser Corp, impressed with Carmen's knowledge and attention to detail he personally asked her to handle all employee relocations for Weyerhaeuser which she did for a number of years.
Carmen served three four year terms on the Des Moines City Council. She was a tireless supporter of the community also serving on the Historical Society, Legacy Foundation, and Destination Des Moines. Carmen was directly involved in many important projects the most significant being her leadership to acquire the Covenant Beach Bible Camp in 1987 which became Des Moines Beach Park. She was instrumental in the Beach Park being designated as a historical landmark on the state registry. Carmen's passion was photography and she was very proud being designated as the "official" city photographer and took countless pictures of Des Moines and its surroundings. In honor of Carmen's twenty-two years of community service the City of Des Moines has re-named the Des Moines Beach Park Heritage Trail the "Carmen Scott" Heritage Trail.
Carmen is survived by five children, David Bonathan, Carol Anderson, Nancy Spickler, Brian Scott, and Mary Hobday, Sheila Doane niece, Brother Darrell Haugen, Sister Margaret Leaf, six grandchildren and two great granddaughters.
The family of Carmen Scott would like to extend a very appreciative and heartfelt thank you to the City of Des Moines and the entire community for all of the love, support and unconditional assistance provided to Carmen and our family.
There will be a private celebration of life gathering for Carmen.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Carmen Scott
Sponsored by The Family.
Luisa
May 19, 2024
Carmen was a fabulous photographer and I will always remember the cards and photos she shared and sold at our Des Moines Farmers Market.
A no nonsense yet caring human being. She is missed.
Anita Corby
May 18, 2024
I met Carmen through the Des Moines Art Commission, and while researching materials for a mural I painted, she provided me with wonderful photos she took over the years around Des Moines. As a fellow artist, I admired her artistic eye through the lens of her camera and I will always remember her as a gifted photographer and historian.
Anita Corby
Lynda Longfield
February 13, 2017
Oh. I'm so terribly sorry to hear this. I don't know her I just met her briefly at Des Moines Market. I bought one of her beautiful postcards. I wanted to get more so I went on line to see where I could buy them and I found this. My heart goes out to you. May she Rest In Peace.
David Bonathan
February 28, 2016
For Mom - Love David
Jean Munro
May 26, 2015
Carmen's family should be very proud of such an active citizen of Des Moines, she helped in so many areas such as the Des Moines Arts Commission her passion for the arts spread throughout the Des Moines community, she took endless pictures of all the activities and the beautiful scenes that happen daily in our waterfront area. She helped raise funding to keep the Arts alive and her calendars helped so many organizations going. She gave great advise to maintaining a thriving organization and loved to encourage women to be leaders in their community she was an amazing women. Thank you Carmen for all you have done for us you are truly missed and you have left amazing gift(s) a legacy...
Luisa Bangs
May 26, 2015
Carmen was the Des Moines City Council Liaison to the Des Moines Arts Commission for many years. Many of us were fortunate to have had interactions with her on the Commission. She was thoughtful, creative and passionate about the Arts and her Council duties. What a wonderful person, a knowledgable leader and historian and a passionate leader - she will be sorely missed!
Patrice Thorell
May 26, 2015
Carmen was a great woman, friend, artist, historian and a tireless and passionate advocate for her community. It is impossible to count the many ways she will be missed. I will remember her always.
Carol DeVries
May 25, 2015
What a delightful woman! I looked forward to seeing Carmen at the Des Moines Marina Farmers Market every Saturday. She is sorely missed in the community.
Kristy D.
May 25, 2015
She is truly missed in the Des Moines community. She was a wonderful woman and it was an honor to know her.
Heather McClain
May 25, 2015
I still miss her everyday...
Karen Hardin
May 24, 2015
Carmen, gave me lessons on the clarinet. Which I played all through my school years. Thanks to Carmen for sharing her music.
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