Carol Lee Richmond

Born in Glasgow, Montana, on Aug. 20, 1938, Carol Lee Vorell was raised in Bozeman by parents Paulina (Simacek) and James Vorell, a blacksmith who immigrated from Austria in 1905. Often paid in food by poor farmers needing horses shod, the Vorells were known for their generosity feeding transient workers, “good people just needing a job.”

Carol was one of four siblings, brother Frank, a metallurgist, and three sisters, Marie, Alice, and Dorothy who married and settled in all corners of the state. Carol was a late child born to her mother at age 42, so older sister Dorothy helped raise Carol. Her sisters’ offspring were same-age playmates to “Auntie-Carolee.” Dorothy and she sang together while doing chores, a passion Carol enjoyed throughout her life. Even in the last years of mild dementia, Carol could remember many songs, old and new.

Carol came to Seattle in 1962 during the Boeing boom with her husband, Lloyd Richmond, in time for the World’s Fair and completion of the Space Needle. They settled in West Seattle and raised two boys, Larold and Steven, who attended the old brick Cooper School (now Youngstown Cultural Arts Center) and roamed the nearby Duwamish forest. The family explored much of the Northwest, hiking, skiing, and kayaking. Carol and Lloyd divorced after 13 years of marriage, and Carol became a crucial employee at Salvin’s Drapery as a bookkeeper/shop coordinator, the anchor of a small business spanning three owners. After “retirement,” she became a Certified Nursing Assistant dedicated to the care of others. She was also a steadfast letter-writer to her friends and extended family in Montana.

Carol embodied devotion, from her work ethic to heroic parenting for a son with special needs all 53 years of his life, to grandparenting, to her devotion to the faith community at Shorewood Foursquare Church, to her devotion to the love of her life, George Zurian, to his last days and beyond.

Carol passed on March 6, 2025 at age 86, the last of her Vorell generation. She is survived by one son, Steven Richmond (wife Lori Spears), one grandson Matthew Richmond (wife Natalie and great-grandchildren Monroe and Reagan). She is also survived by numerous Vorell, Rice, Morin, Pemble, and Lindemann extended families. Carol was loved by many friends and neighbors fortunate to know her: the Gribbles, Smiths, Kauffmans, niece Dorann, grandniece Suzy, caregiver-friend Connie and the Florence care community. A life well-lived and a person well-loved, Carol made this earth, and the people she touched, a better place.

All are welcome to sign the online guestbook below and add their stories and messages for the family.