CAROL LILA SCHWABE

1928 - 2021

After a long illness, facing West with sunlight on her face, Carol Lila Schwabe passed with two of her Granddaughters by her side, on March 9, 2021 -weeks before her 93rd birthday.

Carol was born in Seattle on April 5th, 1928 to the parents of Christian Steiner and Birdie May (Avery) Hilstad.

Carol moved with her parents and two sisters, Evelyn and Jean from Seattle to Manette in Kitsap County where she spent her young years barefoot on the shores of Puget Sound.

Reflecting into the shallow waters of the lagoon, staring up at the night sky, walking beaches, meadows and woodland areas gave her a good sense of herself and a respect of nature that she would eventually plant in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family moved back to Seattle where Carol attended West Seattle High School, graduating with the class of 1946. It was in Seattle that she met Edward Laurier Schwabe from Long Beach California. Ed was serving in the Navy during the war and his ship was on a layover in Seattle before heading back out into the Pacific, in uncertain times.

There were letters back and forth and after the war ended, they were married on January 4, 1947. After trips to and from Washington and California, it was an easy choice to make their home in the Pacific Northwest. In 1955 the family moved from Seattle to Anacortes where Ed took a job at the newly opened Shell Oil Refinery.

Carol was an amazing cook. Whether on fine china in the dining room or paper plates on a picnic table, she had a special way to gather friends and family together.

Her specialties were lefsa, Swedish Pancakes, Krumkake, pies (apple and cherry), Spritz cookies, hearty soups, homemade breads and rolls. Oh! and fruitcake! Sometimes the preparation of food was preceded by the gathering of berries, fruits and nuts. The harvest was important to her.

Mom brought music into our home - folk, pop, orchestral. She had a lovely soprano voice and sang in the Anacortes Methodist Choir for many years. As she matured so did her taste in music. It was an education for us all.

The same can be said for her appreciation of art, poetry, and her daily crossword puzzle. Carol was an avid reader. There was always a special area in the home with books full of adventure and a lap to curl up on for 3 generations.

Carol is preceded in death by her loving husband of 71 years, Edward Laurier Schwabe who passed away August 12, 2018.

She is survived by her beloved three children - Karen, Mitchell (Teresa), Jeffrey (Sonia); her pride and joy, her seven grandchildren: Marisa (Blake), Kristin, Phil (Kayla), Michelle (Jacob), Justin (Paige), Sara (Jeremiah) and Breanne (Will), and twenty-one very active and special great-grandchildren that absolutely adored her; her dear sister, Jean Kukulan-Reilly and family from the Bay Area; her cousins Peter and Florence Grahn of Bremerton, and her vivacious cousin and best friend Doris Harkness and family of Seattle.

The Family would like to thank Lighthouse Memory Care of Anacortes for understanding Mom's needs as well as those of our family. Their communication with Hospice and our family during this time was the highest level of care.

Also, we send a thank you to Hospice of the Northwest who provided amazing care for not only Mom, but Dad as well in his passing. Our family thank you all.

A private family graveside service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Carol's memory can be made online to Hospice of the Northwest Foundation. To share memories of Carol, please sign the online guestbook at www.evanschapel.com