Carrie Lee (Shumaker) Weivoda

Saturday, March 30th—just 7 weeks after the death and 7 days after the memorial service for her husband—Carrie Lee (Shumaker) Weivoda age 84 of Yakima, Washington passed peacefully in loving care at Living Care Retirement Community. Carrie’s last days included much visiting with her family, one of Carrie’s most favorite activities.

Carrie is preceded in death by her father Earl Leland Good, an Illinois newspaper writer/editor who died in a car accident when Carrie was only 10 years old; by her step-father Everett Richard Shumaker who adopted Carrie at age 16, her mother Ruth Shumaker, and brother Rick; and by her loving husband Philip O. Weivoda.

Carrie was born May 21, 1934 in St. Louis, Missouri. After high school graduation Carrie began training at Sinsinawa Mound Center which is a teaching college for women intending to join the Dominican Catholic Sisterhood. Carrie’s plans to become a nun were abrupted when she met Phil Weivoda who himself was contemplating the priesthood. The couple was married May 12, 1956 in Spokane, Washington where they started their family. Carrie was active in the church, which engagement continued when the couple moved to Sunnyside, Washington where they took up residence on a small farm surrounded by crops and stocked with one very old horse and some chickens.

Sadly, the plan to raise her family in the country ended when Carrie’s husband suffered complications from a war injury which lead to multiple surgeries and permanent disability. Contrary to the wishes of the bank her husband worked for, the insurance company denied benefits to the family which would have required an appeal process which Carrie—with 4 children ages 2 to 12—could not face.

After several years struggling on a shoestring-budget during her husband’s multiple surgeries and rehabilitation, the family moved to Yakima, Washington. There Carrie very intentionally pursued a career in the insurance industry; a profession which allowed her to warn families of the necessity of having coverage with honest and reputable providers.

Carrie won several insurance agent awards, and transitioned into retirement as a property manager which gave her added freedom to work on side jobs with service and social benefits including work with Catholic Charities and in the Legends Casino in Toppenish.

Carrie is survived by four children—Ruth Woodworth, George Weivoda, Naomi Weivoda-Dobbs, and Sarah Wolf—their spouses, ten grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Before passing Carrie requested a Mass of intention be offered in her name at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Selah for the repose of her soul, to be followed by burial in Sunnyside, Washington which services will take place in May.

The family is most grateful to the staff at Living Care who supported Carrie’s escalating health needs and filled her last days with security and comfort. In lieu of flowers the family requests tax-deductible donations made to Living Care Retirement Community.

Arrangements are being managed by Keith and Keith Funeral Home (phone 509-453-9155).