Caryl Darst

Caryl Hollister Darst passed away December 11, 2020 at Oakwood Haven in Centralia, WA at the age of 106. She was born July 13, 1914 to Albert L. and Olga M. (Miller) Hollister in Havensville, Kansas. She grew up and went to school in northern Montana and Spokane, WA. After high school, Caryl graduated from Kinman Business University in Spokane and worked in private industry.

In 1940 Caryl married James K. Reilly. They lived briefly in Walla Walla, and then moved to Olympia to work in state government. Caryl started her time with the state Utilities and Transportation Commission as a secretary and ended her career as a personnel officer. Jim died in 1968.

John P. Darst became Caryl’s husband in 1978. They travelled extensively during their retirement years, both in this country and abroad, until John’s death in 2000.

Caryl loved gardening, playing games, being with family and friends, and she never missed an opportunity to play bridge. In earlier years she enjoyed playing golf, but according to her was “never very good”. Caryl always said she didn’t have to be good at something to have fun. She was a reader; thrillers and mysteries were her favorites. Caryl subscribed to three daily newspapers until her eyesight failed. She was a member of Olympia Country Club, Capital City Newcomers, and a long time member of the Olympia Garden Club. Caryl belonged to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Olympia and contributed her talents to the layette mission project, knitting over 1000 newborn caps.

After living in her home for sixty years, she moved to The Firs in 2008. For the next eleven years she enjoyed friends at the dining table and the card tables. She won many of her weekly games of bridge, pinochle, and 31, and had piles of change to prove it. In 2019 Caryl moved to Oakwood Haven in Centralia where she made more new friends among the caregivers who treated her as family.

Caryl was preceded in death by her sisters Ardyth Swett, Shirley Hepton, Glenola McCreery, Lurene Pirello, and brother Harold Hollister. She is survived by sisters: Phyllis Sullivan, Spokane, WA; Vesta Rucheck, Aloha, OR; brothers: Buell Hollister, Spokane, WA; Bruce Hollister, Tigard, OR; Terry Hollister, Coeur d’Alene, ID; stepsons: Richard Darst (Debbie), Eugene, OR; Leonard Darst (Helen), Damascus, OR; Hal Darst (Rebecca) Corvallis, OR; eight grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren, and 30 nieces and nephews.

Family was very important to Caryl. She will be greatly missed by the people she touched.

A memorial celebration of life will be scheduled when gathering is once again possible.

Remembrances can be made in Caryl’s name to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church or a favorite charity.