Agnes Anstett

1921 - 2016

Agnes Shaw Anstett

Agnes Shaw Anstett, 94, died peacefully on April 17, 2016 in the presence of her loving family. Her death was due to complications from a fall earlier that day. Agnes was born to Fredericka and Gordon T. Shaw in Seattle in 1921. She graduated from Forest Ridge High School and joined Gamma Phi Beta sorority at the University of Washington. While at the UW, she met Duane Anstett, her future husband of 67 years.

Agnes and Dewey raised eight of their nine children on Long Island, New York. In 1959 the family moved to Seattle, where their ninth child was born. They created a beautiful home on the shores of Lake Washington in Kirkland, and continued to raise their large, loving family. Six generations of her family have now lived in the Seattle area. Agnes and Dewey cruised each summer to Victoria for many years on their boat the Shwego II. After their children were raised, their travel included Europe, Japan, China, New Zealand and the Middle East.

Agnes was a member of Newman Club, Holy Family Parish in Kirkland, Gamma Phi Beta and the Olive Kerry Guild of Children's Hospital.

Agnes loved the written word. She participated in several book clubs, and wrote an award-winning column, Cook's Corner, in the East Side Journal for seven years. She authored two books and many feature articles. She also wrote treasured birthday poems for her many children and grandchildren.

"Happy in life. Happy in Kirkland. Happy in Heaven." Agnes was kind and spiritual, and had a youthful spirit. She was lovely on the inside and out. Her family and friends will miss her gift of truly listening to us and making each one of us feel special. And we will miss her as the "operator" for our huge family; keeping us all informed of the latest family news, even at the age of 94.

For the past five years Agnes lived at Merrill Gardens in downtown Kirkland, where she made many new friends, and family members dined with her on a daily basis.

Agnes is survived by her sons David and Fred of the Seattle area, and Michael (Claire) of Auckland, New Zealand; daughters Didi, Marie (Rob) Maddox, Meg, and Kathy (Rich) Cannon, all of the Seattle area, and Beth Van Ausdle of Alameda, CA; and daughter-in-law Joan of Castle Rock, CO. Agnes is also survived by 18 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren: Damien, Roxann, Jean, Peggy, Todd, Julie, Jaxon and Kaia Anstett; Alyssa, Alex, Ethan and Ava Fields; Shawn, Hadley and Harper Maddox; Carly and Parker Lawhead; Casey, Kyle, Sarah, Korbin, Isla and Mackenzie Scott; Claire, Charlie and Monica Cannon; Michael, Tommy and Sammi Van Ausdle; and Kylie and JoeJoe Gunn. Agnes was predeceased by her husband Dewey in 2010, son Terry, grandson Fraser, and sisters Betty, Dorothy, Maryan, and Margy.

A celebration of Agnes's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 26 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Kirkland. Contributions in her honor may be made to Holy Family School or the Olive Kerry Guild Endowment of Children's Hospital.

Please sign the online guest book at BartonFuneral.com