Carmen Alicia Strauss

Carmen was born February 8, 1921 in Arequipa, Peru to Mariano and Seferina Cano. She was an extremely capable and determined lady.

A fiercely Independent woman who always preferred doing things without help, even though she needed it in her later years.

With no formal education, she immigrated to the U.S. first in 1942 and again in the 1950’s. She worked at REI and at one point, ran her own business: “Alicia’s Shop.” It specialized in Sporting and useful bags for day to day use. She also became a house “flipper” with her husband Fred Strauss. They formed an efficient team, developing otherwise ruined houses, then renting or selling at a profit.

Carmen had been married to George W. Phillips in 1963 and they had a son; William. She separated from George and raised her son while remaining friends and business partners with George.

She later married Fred and they stayed lovingly married until Fred’s untimely death to cancer in 1991.

Highly capable at business organization and real estate; perhaps her real passion was music and dancing. She loved to sing and perform for seniors. She also taught Spanish at the Shoreline Senior Center.

Carmen is survived by her son William, daughter-in-law Martha and her large and loving extended family.

A visitation for Carmen will be held Monday, September 19, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home.

Funeral service for Carmen will occur Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home, 11111 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133. A Reception will follow the graveside in the Celebration Hall.