Elemental Cremation & Burial - Obituaries

Gail Alice Beuning

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:18:52

Gail Alice Beuning, 62 of Seattle, WA, passed away peacefully on July 9th, surrounded by loving family members. She bravely fought a rare and aggressive form of bladder cancer. Gail lived life as fully as she could and had multiple “Era’s”: loving spouse, sibling, aunt/great-aunt, and friend; US Army veteran, Dirt-Cheap-Racer (IYKYK); beamer and bicyclist, inventor with patent credit; principal software engineer; lover of fashion; and advocate for transgender rights. Gail was born in Sioux Falls, SD in 1964 and grew up in the Midwest before relocating to Seattle. She is survived by her spouse MJ, her siblings (spouses): Brian, Chuck (Bonnie), David (Joyce Anne), Gary, Cheryl (Sean) and Lisa (Doug), her mother Mildred, multiple dearly loved nieces & nephews and great nieces/nephews, and her favorite cat Friday. If you knew Gail, you could relate to this line from one of the songs in the musical Wicked “…because I knew you, I have been changed. For good.”. A celebration and memorial will be held on Saturday, September 12th at Salty's on Alki Beach West Seattle. Doors open at 3:15PM. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider a donation in Gail’s name to one of these organizations (they advocate for human rights-specifically transgender rights):

Trevor Project - trevorproject.org
Erin in the Morning - erininthemorning.com
Human Rights Campaign - hrc.org

Virginia McCormick

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 15:36:30

Virginia (Jinnie) McCormick passed away on June 22, 2026 at an Aegis Assisted Living Center in Seattle, WA at the age of 84. She is survived by Chuck McCormick, her husband of 56 years, son Scott McCormick, daughter Sarah Anne McCormick, granddaughter Gwendolyne King, and brothers Jim Elsea (Seattle) and Scott Elsea (Findlay, Ohio). Jinnie was the daughter of Scott and Virginia Elsea of Findlay, Ohio. She graduated with a BA from Ohio Wesleyan University. After living a brief time in Boulder Colorado near her beloved older sister Jane, her adventures next took her to Boston, where she worked as a Play Therapist at Boston Children’s Hospital. She married Chuck in the Harvard Memorial Church and they lived in Jakarta, Beirut, and London for Chuck’s work. Chuck and Jinnie moved their family to Seattle in 1981. From there they traveled near and far with life-long university friends. Jinnie’s home-based adventures turned to gourmet cooking and flower arranging. Holiday meals at her table were like Martha Stuart shows of Julia Child’s recipes. Jinnie adapted well to life in the Northwest, including cycling with the Cascade Bicycle Club and hiking with the Mountaineers. She started a successful floral business called “Gatherings from the Garden” and enhanced the beauty of tables in local restaurants and private homes. She has known the joy of success but also the sorrow of tragedy, having grieved the deaths of two children and one grandchild. Jinnie loved shopping at thrift stores for cute outfits for herself, her daughter and her granddaughter. She enjoyed gardening, often until after dusk, in a front yard that resembled a mini-arboretum. She always remembered birthdays and anniversaries with homemade cards made from cut out magazine letters, words and pictures that sometimes looked like friendly ransom notes. She was an excellent mother, guardian, and life coach for her daughter Sarah Anne.

Charitable donations may be sent to Community Homes, Bellevue, Washington.https://www.community-homes.org

Celebration of Life

Jinnie spent her lifetime gathering people, both around her table and for adventures large and small. Now it’s our turn to gather together to honor her. There will be no formal program; just come to be together, tell a Jinnie story if you’re moved to do so, and celebrate a remarkable woman. Join us in person if you can for refreshments, light bites and desserts.

Sunday, July 26, 2026 from 2:00-4:00 pm Aegis Living Queen Anne Galer 223 West Galer St, Seattle, WA 98119 Kindly RSVP by 7/20 to Jim Elsea wjelsea2 (at) gmail (dot) com

Whether or not you can attend this celebration of life, please feel free to leave comments and photos under Guestbook and Gallery, above. With Love from Jinnie’s Family

Isaiah Johnson

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 14:13:00

Isaiah Johnson, age 26, passed away recently, leaving behind a legacy of love, music, and deep devotion to his family. Isaiah was a proud and dedicated father whose greatest joy in life was his beloved daughter, Brooklyn Johnson. Outside of his family, Isaiah’s greatest passion was music. He spent countless hours creating and producing beats, expressing his creativity through every song he made. He also brought his strong work ethic and keen attention to detail to his role in window quality assurance at Ply Gem. Isaiah will be remembered for his creative spirit, his warm heart, and the unconditional love he had for his daughter. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. Isaiah is survived by his cherished daughter, Brooklyn Johnson; his loving mother, Camille Johnson; his stepfather, Christopher; his sister, Destiny; his brothers, Emanuel, Josh, Raymonni, Rayvontae, and Zaire; his beloved grandmother, Dietlinde; his aunt, Patrizia; and his cousin, Cherelle. He also leaves behind many extended family members, friends, and loved ones who will forever treasure his memory.

A visitation is planned for August 3rd, 2026 from 2:00pm-3:00pm for immediate family and 3:00pm-5:00pm for friends and extended family. Please come by to pay your final respects to Isaiah. The visitation will be held at Coda Carehome and the address is 19621 70th Ave S, Suite G Kent, WA 98032. When you arrive, you will find that the address is in a row of warehouses. They are located in Suite G and the glass front door has a sign reading 'Coda Care'. Sometimes, the GPS will take you to the back of the building however, you are unable to enter through the back. There is limited parking available.

Thanh Dam Nguyen Huu

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 10:54:16

Thanh Dam Nguyen Huu, known lovingly to family and friends simply as Dam, passed away on June 18, 2026, at the age of 72. She leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, creativity, and generosity that will continue to inspire all who knew her. If you were fortunate enough to know Dam, you knew her by her warm smile, generous heart, and the way she made everyone feel welcome. She had a gift for making people feel seen, heard, and loved, and her kindness left a lasting impression on everyone she met. Dam was born on July 2, 1953, in Clichy, France. She spent her childhood in both France and Vietnam before later moving to Washington, D.C., carrying with her a rich appreciation for the cultures, traditions, and experiences that shaped her life. In 1974, she graduated from Hood College with a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies, concentrating in art and biology. A gifted artist with a remarkable creative spirit, Dam built a career spanning healthcare, insurance, customer service, graphic design, and interpretation, using both her creativity and to serve and connect with others. Whether through her professional work or personal pursuits, she brought beauty, imagination, and thoughtfulness to everything she touched. Drawing was one of her greatest passions. She also loved knitting and sewing. Dam was a woman of extraordinary resilience. A two-time cancer survivor, she faced life's challenges with courage, grace, and an unwavering determination to keep moving forward. She was a survivor in every sense of the word, overcoming adversity while always continuing to care for and support those around her. Above all, Dam's greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted and loving mother to her daughters, Michelle and Rosie, and a proud grandmother to Paxton, Parker and Jacob. She cherished every moment spent with her grandsons and delighted in hearing the funny stories and adventures that inevitably made her laugh. A lifelong lover of language and culture, Dam spoke both French and Vietnamese and took great pride in sharing her heritage with her family. She especially enjoyed teaching her grandsons French words and phrases, including "Merci Percy". Those fortunate enough to know Dam will remember her as warm, kind, caring, thoughtful, and full of energy. She was a wonderful listener and trusted confidante. Her generosity knew no bounds. She was always thinking of others, often surprising, loved ones with thoughtful gifts or acts of kindness. She was always a devoted caretaker and someone who always put the needs of others before her own. She was preceded in death by her parents, Nguyen Huu Hanh and Nguyen Thi Kim Hoa. She is survived by her daughters, Michelle and Rosie; her grandsons, Paxton, Parker and Jacob; her siblings, Lee, Paul, Rosemary, and Jack; and many extended family members and dear friends whose lives were enriched by her love and friendship. Dam's life was a testament to resilience, creativity, generosity, and unconditional love. Though she will be deeply missed, her spirit lives on in the family she cherished, the friendships she nurtured, and the countless lives she touched. Her laughter, kindness, wisdom, and enduring love will remain in the hearts of those who knew her. Celebration of Life details will be shared at a later date.

Lance Westgard

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 10:28:27

Lance Westgard, of Columbia Falls, Montana, passed away on June 13, 2026, surrounded by family. He was born on October 7, 1962, in Plentywood, Montana to Richard and Renetta Westgard. The middle of three boys, Lance was raised on the family farm in Westby, Montana, and later attended college in Havre. There he met his soulmate, Terril, and kicked off 43 years of love and partnership. Together, they raised three kids and made sure family always came first. Some people knew Lance as a pool-playing lumberjack, but most knew him for his incredible 36-year career in emergency medical services. He retired in November 2025 as a paramedic and the Operations Manager of Three Rivers EMS, leaving behind a strong legacy of leadership, mentorship, and service. If you knew Lance, you knew his sense of humor. He almost always had a Mountain Dew in hand and a story to tell. When things got serious, everyone hoped Lance would be the one showing up, calm, steady, and in control. Lance was known for speaking his mind and trusting his experience. He was not always easy to agree with, but you respected his dedication to the job, the expertise he built over decades, or the calm confidence he brought to the situation. Lance showed his love through action. He was there when his family needed him, offering support, advice, or just a steady presence. The bond he shared with his grandkids was especially meaningful to him. Whether he was taking them fishing, rafting the river, camping, or roasting hot dogs over a fire, Papa was happiest when he was making memories. Archery and rifle season were some of his favorite times of year. Even though his career kept him busy, and he joked regularly that he hated summer because of it, he always found time to enjoy the mountains that had drawn this eastern Montana farm boy west. Lance was preceded in death by his wife, Terril; his parents, Richard and Renetta Westgard; his mother-in-law, Donna Golie; and his sister-in-law Tracy Wendland. Lance is survived by his son, Cody, Cody's children Haylee, Sofia, and Bryson; his daughter, Kalyne; his daughter Cortny, her husband, Mark Lakes, and their children, Natalie, James, and Gavin. He is also survived by his brothers, Bruce and Marty, and their families; his father-in-law, Bernie Golie; a large extended family of in-laws; and many friends and EMS colleagues. Lance also leaves behind his loyal Boston terriers, Max and Charlie, who were rarely far from his side and brought him comfort and companionship. Per Lance’s wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service. His ashes were scattered alongside Terril’s. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Three Rivers EMS in honor of Lance’s lifelong dedication to emergency medical services. The lessons he shared, the stories he told, and the quick wit and sarcasm that kept us all on our toes will remain with us always.

Maureen Elizabeth Martin

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 11:06:39

Maureen Elizabeth Martin, 88, of Whidbey Island, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2026.

Born on April 4, 1938, in Derby, Derbyshire, England, Maureen’s early life carried her from Derby to London and Dublin. Earning her B.A. at Trinity College Dublin, she traveled across the Atlantic to the United States with her husband in 1966, eventually finding her true home in the Pacific Northwest.

Maureen was a woman of quiet grace and strong convictions. Private by nature, she shared her warmth, generosity, and steady care with those who knew her well. She found joy in the rhythms of nature, the companionship of animals, and the beauty of a flourishing garden.

An equestrian at heart, Maureen spent decades riding, training, and breeding horses. When she was not at the stables, she could often be found tending her vibrant gardens, where beauty grew freely and color abounded in every direction.

Her compassion for animals extended to the Whidbey Island community, where she volunteered with WAIF, the Whidbey Animal Improvement Foundation. She believed every animal deserved dignity and love, and she held a special place in her heart for senior pets, often opening her home to elderly dogs and giving them a safe, gentle place to spend their final years.

Above all, Maureen was a devoted mother and grandmother. Her family meant the world to her, and she cherished the bonds she shared with loved ones near and far.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Denis Martin, and her sister, Angela Robinson, with whom she shared a deep and lasting closeness.

She is survived by her sons, Clifford Martin and Kingsley Martin; her grandchildren, Murphy Martin and Bryce Martin; her niece, Sandra Robinson; and her nephew, Geoffrey Robinson. Her love, guidance, and generous spirit will be deeply missed.

Roger Carl von Doenhoff

Sat, 23 May 2026 10:39:05

Roger von Doenhoff passed away peacefully at home on May 18, 2026, with his wife by his side. He was born Feb. 12, 1956, in Niagara Falls, NY to his parents Carl and Phyllis von Doenhoff. Roger grew up in Niagara Falls and led a very adventurous childhood. Roger graduated from Michigan State University with a mechanical engineering degree in 1980. He then moved to Seattle and worked at Boeing for 39 years. He was a very valuable employee and worked in various departments starting with brakes, wheels and tires and ending up in network securities. He was valued enough to have worked on the airlines standards committee with the FAA and Airbus. As a child he spent many hours on or in the water - a true Aquarian. He was either on Niagara River in his boat or playing in Cayuga creek behind his parents’ house. His adventurous spirit continued throughout his life. He loved music, animals and tried many sports. His love of volleyball and playing in tournaments led him to his wife Jayne with encouragement from our friends Sarah and Kirk. Their first date was a hike and dinner. Six months later, on Tax Day, he proposed to Jayne. They married on Aug 2, 1997, at Point Defiance Park in the rose garden. His activities included competitive table tennis, skiing, backpacking, tennis, volleyball, golf, ballroom dancing, ballet etc. He loved music, especially classic rock. He would often banter with his friends over artists, song lyrics, bands and band members. He was an incredibly intelligent, compassionate, loving and kind man. He is predeceased by his mom (Phyllis), dad (Carl), brother (David) von Doenhoff and brother in-law (Bob Stickney). He is survived by his wife Jayne plus a big loving family, including his sisters Barb Stickney and Laura Morrissey and sister’s in-law JoAnne (Clay) Jones and Sue Best and a multitude of nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews who all played an important role in his life. His celebration of life will be held at Federal Way Arthur Murray 32724 Pacific Hwy S., Federal Way, WA June 21st at 11am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fred Hutch Cancer research at https://fredhutch.org or ASPCA at https://secure.aspca

Mark Andrew Plesko

Wed, 20 May 2026 11:19:11

Mark’s 21-year battle with prostate cancer ended peacefully on Sunday, May 17, 2026. Mark was born in Michigan and grew up in the deserts of Arizona and Southern California along with his five siblings. Mark’s career in software development spanned many companies and titles, and also brought Mark to Seattle where he met his wife, Jessica, working at a startup together in the late nineties. They bonded over their shared love of Guinness.

Fiercely independent and athletic, Mark was an avid surfer and cyclist. You could often find him along the coast in San Diego or Mexico, checking out the quality of the waves in the early morning light. He loved cycling - both the actual riding and watching professional races. In fact, he once owned more than 20 bikes, many of which he built himself. In 1999 Mark and Jessica went to France and followed many stages of the Tour de France. Logan still has the t-shirt Mark got thrown to him at la Caravane publicitaire.

Back home, Mark completed the Seattle to Portland (STP) bike ride multiple times and eventually created his own ride he called the “STS” (Seattle to Seattle) so he didn’t have to deal with the hassle of bussing back. When Logan was little, he expressed interest in skiing so Mark went all in like always. He took Logan up to Snoqualmie Pass for a weekend and got him a private lesson. After that, Mark was obsessed, and you could find him and Logan bombing down Silver Fir as often as possible in the winter.

Mark could fix almost anything and would create tools to solve all sorts of problems. He earned the nickname “handy husband” tenfold. He was always keeping the yard trimmed and tidy and the garage is a masterpiece of organization with everything in its place.

Mark played guitar and wrote many songs at the end of his life including an ode to Logan titled, “Father Says.” Mark was a stoic, insular person so if you got to experience his quiet, and oftentimes hilarious, dry humor you knew you were one of the lucky ones. Mark was a wonderful dad, and a supportive partner, brother, friend and son.

He fought a long and hard battle with his disease, undergoing countless treatments and clinical trials to be here for his family. He was incredibly strong and stayed active until this year. Amazingly, he even biked to some of his treatment appointments. He will be sorely missed by many.

Mark is preceded in death by his parents Mary Jane and John Plesko, his eldest brother Jack Plesko, and his dog Shadow. He is survived by his wife Jessica and son Logan, as well as his sister Alexis and husband Joe Gonzalez, sister Amy Cooper, brother Matt Plesko and wife Diane, sister Tess Murphy and husband Kevin, in-laws Marcia and Michael Horswill, many nieces and nephews, and his dog Cori. Celebrations of Mark’s life will take place in Seattle and later in California - dates and locations to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you to consider a donation to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Michael Thomas Mullaney

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:47:02

Michael Thomas Mullaney died in a hiking accident near his home in Seattle, WA, May 10, 2026. Born May 27, 1960 in San Francisco, CA, Michael grew up in Michigan and completed his pharmacy degree at Wayne State University. Over his nearly 40 year career as a clinical pharmacist he became known for his quiet—sometimes grumpy—generosity, and mildly exasperated patience. He was a steadfast, calm presence in tense settings, and an ever-encouraging mentor. As a young man Michael discovered, and continued to benefit from the accomplishment, contentment, and sense of perspective received from challenging trekking and mountain ascents. He reached the high points of the 50 states, summited all of the Colorado fourteeners, and climbed many other peaks, both obscure and famous, including Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, K2 Base Camp, Denali and Rainier. His brothers and sisters, Patricia, Kathleen, Joseph (Pamela Anderson, Daniel), John (Juliet Nolta) and Mary are profoundly sad from the sudden loss. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Michael Mullaney and Leea Peirce Mullaney. A celebration of life, attended by Michael’s brothers and sisters, and many, many friends took place May 16 in Seattle. In memory of Michael consider a gift to your local animal rescue/shelter organization or the King County Search and Rescue Association (KCSARA).

William Allen Redinger

Sat, 23 May 2026 11:16:57

William “Bill” Allen Redinger passed away on April 27, 2026, in Bellevue, Washington. The youngest of eight children, Bill was born in Vancouver, Washington, on January 20, 1948, to Glen and Ella Redinger. Bill grew up milking cows, harvesting chickens, working with his father in the garden, and caddying at the adjacent golf course. After graduation from Battleground High School, he attended Clark County Community College, then Washington State University, where he graduated in 1973 with a degree in Computer Science. Bill began his career as a computer programmer during the dawn of the computer technology era writing code at a pulp and paper company in Burns, Oregon. He then accepted a job at Diamond Engineering Company in Seattle, Washington in 1974, with the initial responsibility of spending a year in northern Quebec. He then returned to Seattle and was promoted to Sales, which was the beginning his career in various software companies, where his charisma, sense of humor, charm, and love of chatting with people were some of his major assets. Despite being a businessman in the city for most of his life, Bill was a country boy at heart. He spoke wistfully of caring for farm animals, fishing alongside his father, and spending childhood summers in Montana. With his tall frame, broad shoulders, and baritone voice, Bill sometimes gave the aura of having just walked off the set of a Western movie. His swagger, frank and genial affect, cowboy boots, and fondness for classic country music, and especially The Outlaws, charmed others. Bill had an easy laugh that made the joke-teller feel like the funniest person in the world, and a way of talking to others that made them feel they were the only person in the room. Through the years, Bill developed an addiction to fly fishing and spent every moment he could on the rivers of Montana and Central Washington. And trips to fish in Alaska with friends were some of his fondest memories. For Bill, vacation meant a fly rod and waders, not tropical beaches. He described his time on the river as his meditation when he could commune with something bigger than himself. Recovery was a cornerstone of Bill’s life for nearly 45 years, and in 2009, he founded an outpatient recovery center serving those with alcohol and drug addiction. This work brought him profound satisfaction and many deep friendships. Despite advancing illness, Bill went to the office right up until the last days of his life, sharing hope withthose struggling with addiction. Bill will be remembered for his irreverent humor, dreaming big, endless optimism even in the face of disaster, bottomless charisma, and the deep love for his family, especially for his “best pal” Nicole, the only person he asked for by name during his final, lucid moments. We will think of him every time we see a meandering river, and will remember him always for his love of his family. He is survived by daughters Nicole and Jennifer, son Jeffrey, his life-long friend Denise, son-in-law Andrew, daughter-in-law Jenny, two beautiful grandchildren, Ruby and River, and much extended family and friends. He will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him.