Lois Evelyn DeVore

The Baxter family lived in the Ravenna area of Seattle and Lois attended Bryant Elementary and Roosevelt High School. She took dancing lessons for about 8 years and piano lessons for about 4 years. She loved her dog, Tubby, and many, many cats. Her Grandma Mary Molyneux taught her to sew and took her to University Presbyterian Church every Sunday, where Lois remained a member for her lifetime.

Lois started dating Lloyd Bruce Thomas in high school. They eloped to Coeur D’Alene, Idaho and were married on September 6, 1950. They had five daughters and one son, all born in Seattle. Lloyd was a firefighter for the City of Seattle and Lois was able to stay home with her children. She sewed clothes, costumes, Girl Scout uniforms and doll clothes in addition to leading a Brownie Troop. When the family moved to Silverdale, WA in 1966 she assisted with Girl Scout trips and was a teacher’s aid. Lois and Lloyd were divorced in 1973. Lois then worked at the University Book Store before working for the City of Seattle.

Lois and Del met in 1974 and they were married on September 25, 1975. They enjoyed sharing a love of music, especially big band and jazz, playing cards and socializing. They purchased a time-share in a house on Hood Canal called The Blue Gull and spent many wonderful times there with family and friends. Once retired Lois was active in the Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Senior Center, and Friends of Third Place Books. She focused her sewing skills on making beautiful quilts for every member of her family. She and Del also enjoyed a lovely yard in Lake Forest Park. Lois loved being a grandma to five girls and two boys, great-grandma to 11, and great-great grandma to one girl. Del passed away on April 16, 2002.

Throughout her life Lois had many special girl friends. One group dubbed themselves "The Jolly Girls" and would take a yearly weekend away at the beach to play cards. With some she played Bridge every Monday, and with others she shared the love of quilting. She leaves behind her oldest and dear friend, Della Newman.

Lois said that she was most grateful for the opportunity to be a full-time mom and was always proud of her children. She shared her love of music, literature, writing, and gardening with them. She attended every one of her son Dan’s soccer games as he was growing up, and as a consequence became a fan of the Seattle Sounders.

Sadly, Lois suffered from dementia in the last years of her life. She passed away on April 15, 2020 in Kirkland, WA as a resident of Sunshine House, an adult family home. The family is deeply grateful to her caregivers there, particularly Djoice, Nonce, Lily and David. She will be missed by her family and wide circle of friends.

Those who have gone before:

Emerson M. Baxter, father, Alice M. Baxter, mother, Robert M. (Janice) Baxter, brother

Those who remain behind:

Children: Susan (Mike) Lebow, Nancy (Tom) Thomas-Moore, Diane Baker, Mary Alice aka Mimi (Jeff) Altice, Patricia Schuchart, Daniel (Karla) Thomas

Half-Siblings: Mike (Christi) Baxter, Anne Hirning

Grandchildren: Jessica (Jesse) Cortez, Shelley (Tim) Harmon, Kristi (Brendan) Dore, Hannah Henson, Brian Lebow, Isaiah Dummer, April Lois Altice

Great-grandchildren: Zoe Bontempo, Bella Bontempo, Vegas Harmon, Elvis Harmon, Pearl Henson, Axel Harmon, Alice Henson, America Harmon, Harper Dore, Beatrix Harmon, Paisley Dore

Great-great granddaughter: Penelope Bontempo

Cousins: Marilou Wesley, Joe Wesley

Services will be held at a later date at Evergreen Washelli.