Prudence Talbot Rolfe

1923 - 2016

Prudence Talbot Rolfe obituary, 1923-2016, Seattle, WA

Prudence Rolfe Obituary

Prudence Talbot Rolfe

Prudy as she is known by family and friends passed away peacefully Saturday evening, August 6, 2016. After 93 wonderful years of life and her final days at Mirabella Seattle with family and friends, she left us all with extraordinary memories of her ageless beauty, quiet determination and commitment to family. She decided it was her time to go.

Born July 12, 1923 to Arch and Betty Talbot in Seattle, Prudy attended Roosevelt High School, Scripps College in California and the University of Washington. She married James Doster (Doc) Rolfe after a 3-year courtship interrupted by Pearl Harbor and WW II on June 29, 1944. The wedding was held in a private ceremony at Jamestown, RI near Docky's Navy base. During the war, Prudy lived in Seattle while Docky served on a destroyer in the Pacific, exchanging letters with a secret code to show Doc's location - a code which Prudy never deciphered. After the war Prudy and Docky raised a family of five children while Doc practiced law in Seattle. For most of their married life, Prudy and Doc lived in their family home in the Highlands, a residential community located in north Seattle.

After her children were grown and off to college, Prudy returned to school and studied organic chemistry and botany. She became very interested in natural remedies and naturopathic medicine, or what was characterized in those days as "alternative medicine." She was one of the founding contributors of Bastyr University and received their Mission Award recognizing her extraordinary contributions to the university and to natural medicine in 2003. She served as a member of the Board of Directors and an active supporter of Bastyr for many years. In addition to her work for Bastyr, she also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Scripps College. Prudy was a member of the Seattle Tennis Club, the Junior League and the Sunset Club of Seattle.

Prudy and Docky spent many years cruising the waters of the Pacific Northwest with their children and fellow mariner families. These adventures took them all over the US San Juans, the Canadian Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound, around Vancouver Island and up the inland passage to SE Alaska. Together they explored many areas first charted by Docky's guide and mentor, Captain Vancouver in the HMS Discovery, a name he proudly reused on one of their own boats.

Prudy is survived by her husband of 72 years, James Doster Rolfe; her children, James Doster Rolfe, Jr. (Tad), Laurie E. Rolfe, Stuart T. Rolfe and Greig C. Rolfe; her 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She follows her brother James Greig Talbot and her son, David Hamilton Rolfe, who predeceased her. Prudy was a woman ahead of her time, a woman of remarkable beauty and grace and one who will leave a lasting memory for all who were fortunate enough to have known her.

There will be a private reception in celebration of Prudy's life at the Sunset Club on Thursday, August 25 from 3:00-6:00pm.

Remembrances in Prudy's name are welcomed and may be sent to Bastyr University.

Published by The Seattle Times from Aug. 10 to Aug. 12, 2016.
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My deepest sympathies to all the Rolfes over Prudy's passing. Prudy has always been Mrs Rolfe to me since my childhood and my neighbor and mother to my earliest friends. She was always welcoming, kind and generous. With much Love, Lucy Isaacson-Logen

August 10, 2016

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