Carolyn F. Pingrey

Carolyn Frances (Smith) Pingrey was known as many things to many people. To family and friends who knew her best, Carolyn will be remembered as a very exceptional person. She was born in Mobile, Alabama to Charles Francis and Carley Sue (Gwin) Smith.

Carolyn was raised with four siblings, Milton, Mary Lou, Jack, and Richard. Carolyn was usually involved in all sorts of activities with her siblings. She and her siblings experienced rivalries typical of a growing family, but they shared many life experiences over the years.

On October 30, 1945 Carolyn exchanged wedding vows with Donald W. Empathic and loyal, Carolyn was committed to making her new family happy. Carolyn worked hard to be a good “mom” to her children and she did her best to fulfill their needs. Carolyn was able to manage the balancing act of attending college while raising a family. She earned her Associate Degree in Registered Nursing from Shoreline Community College in 1964.

She enjoyed what she did for a living as a Registered Nurse in the Newborn Center at Northwest Hospital in Seattle, Washington. Showing a strong work ethic, Carolyn worked diligently and did her best to succeed in her career. Carolyn always sought to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done.

Carolyn was blessed with four children, Judi Fogler of Prescott, Arizona; Timothy Pingrey of Bothell, Washington; Gary Pingrey of Gig Harbor, Washington; and Cheryl Perron of Snohomish, Washington. Another blessing for “Grandma Sweetheart” was the gift of nine grandchildren, Paul, Marcie, Beth, Jordan, Donnie, Carissa, Kendice, David and Tyler. Carolyn was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. Her family was rounded out by her dogs, Sammy, Buddy, and Benji.

Carolyn enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were rose gardening, volunteering at Children’s Orthopedic Hospital, and playing pickle ball. She was content to enjoy her favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share her interests with others. Throughout her life, Carolyn was a doer and was always actively involved in professional and community organizations. Skymasters through University Presbyterian Church, and throughout her later years, Carolyn was a supporter of The Salvation Army, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and The Union Gospel Mission. Carolyn’s faith was important to her. She was a member of the University Presbyterian Church of Seattle.

Carolyn passed away on August 4, 2015 in Redmond, Washington and was reunited with her parents, Charles F. and Carley Sue Smith; husband, Don Pingrey who passed on September 8th, 1993; siblings, Milton Smith in 2011, Richard Smith in 2015, and Mary Lou (Smith) Haynes in 2015.

She is survived by her children, Judi Fogler, Timothy (Delores) Pingrey, Gary (Lana) Pingrey, Cheryl (Scott) Perron; grandchildren, Paul, Marci, Beth, Jordan, Donnie, Carissa, Kendice, David and Tyler ; great grandchildren, Anthony, Savanna, Shelby, Bronson, Jack, Paisley, Kainoa, Cody, Ava, Hailey and Adelyn; brother, Jack Smith; many loving extended family and friends.

Services were held at Acacia Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, August 10, 2015 at 1PM. Carolyn was laid to rest in Acacia Memorial Park in Seattle, Washington.

Carolyn was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by her family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Carolyn leaves behind her a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life she touched will always remember Carolyn.

NEWSPAPER OBITUARY

Carolyn Frances PINGREY

Beloved Mom and Grandma Sweetheart passed away on Aug. 4, 2015 in Redmond, WA. She was born in Mobile, AL on Nov. 17, 1924. She attended Shoreline Community College obtaining a degree which led to a career at Northwest Hospital as a RN. She married her best friend and love of her life, Donald W. Pingrey on Oct. 30, 1945. The couple then resided in the Seattle area. She was a loving generous woman always caring for others and carried that passion to her beautiful rose garden.

She has been reunited with her parents, Charles F. and Carley Sue Smith; husband, Don; siblings, Milton, Richard, and Mary Lou. She leaves behind her children, Judi, Timothy, Gary, and Cheryl; brother, Jack; 9 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; many loving extended family and friends to cherish her memory.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Aug. 10, 2015 at Acacia Funeral Home Chapel, 14951 Bothell Way NE, Seattle, WA 98155 at 1PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Carolyn’s memory may be made to:

The Salvation Army - Northwest Divisional Headquarters

111 Queen Anne Ave. N.

Seattle, WA 98109

(206) 281-4600

800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769)

www.salvationarmynw.org

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation - Northwest Chapter

1215 4th Ave #1100

Seattle, WA 98161

(206) 838-5153

(800) 533-CURE (2873)

www.northwest.jdrf.org

and/ or Seattle's Union Gospel Mission

P.O. Box 202

Seattle, WA 98111-0202

(206) 723-0767

www.ugm.org

Carolyn’s kindness and grace will forever remain in the many hearts she touched.

~ Published in The Seattle Times, Everett Herald, and Pensacola News Journal on Sunday, August 9, 2015 ~

Arrangements under the direction of Acacia Memorial Park & Funeral Home.