Carrilou Ward Hurlbut a 50-year resident of Mercer Island passed away at Overlake Hospital on Tuesday, July 3rd with her family by her side. She collapsed on Monday morning with a ruptured aneurysm while playing bridge with her friends.
Carrilou was born November 11th, 1931 in San Diego, California. She was the daughter of Dr. Francis and Edith Ward. She attended San Diego State University where she played a pivotal role in the chartering the local chapter of the Chi Omega Sorority. In San Diego she met her future husband, a Seattle resident, Wendell Hurlbut at a dance being given for Navy Midshipmen. She transferred to the University of Washington for her last two years of college where she majored in mathematics. While she was at the University of Washington she became the Chapter President of the Chi Omega Sorority. On June 13th, 1953 she graduated from the University of Washington, pinned Naval Aviator wings on her future husband, and that evening she married Wendell.
Carrilou started her marriage as a Naval Aviator’s wife living in Pensacola, Florida and Whidbey Island, Washington before settling on Mercer Island. Although a busy mother of three, she became active with the American Cancer Society, the Deane’s Children Park, PTA, and the local bridge scene.
In the early 1970’s Carrilou went back to the University of Washington to earn her MBA. After graduation she continued to thrive as a real estate and equities investor. Later she learned to become an expert helmsman on her many sailing vacations with Wendell. Carrilou always maintained a lifelong passion for bridge and continued to play with groups at the Seattle Yacht Club, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, and with her beloved Chi Omega sisters.
Carrilou is survived by her husband Wendell Phillips Hurlbut III, her children Wendi Schield married to Steve Schield, Kyle Hurlbut and his wife Lisa D’Alessandro, and Clark Hurlbut and his wife Karen. Her seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild also survive her.
A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, July 14th, 11:00am at the Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Avenue SE, Mercer Island, Washington. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to the United Way of King County.
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