Friday, April 19, 2024
Carolyn Jean Belanich, born May 10, 1934, in Wallace, Idaho, passed away Sept. 6 in Edmonds. Her family moved to Spokane in 1936, where she lived for six years during the height of World War II.
In 1942, Carolyn’s family moved to Seattle and later relocated to Bellevue, where she graduated from Bellevue High School in 1952. She went on to attend the University of Washington, where she planned to major in physical education. In 1953, she met Darryl Belanich, and they were married Oct. 9, 1954. In 1958 they moved to Edmonds and made it their permanent home where they raised their family. They were married for 59 years before Darryl passed away on Jan. 8, 2014.
Carolyn led a very active life, both physically and socially. In fact, most who knew her would describe her as a social butterfly and the fittest person they knew who was 87 years old. For much of her life, she enjoyed bicycling with her husband, Darryl, and they would often go on very long bike excursions.
Carolyn was heavily into physical fitness and, just weeks before her death, she was still swimming laps at a local pool and strolling along the Edmonds beach on warm summer days. She worked tirelessly in her yard and sometimes even in her children’s yards.
It was a breathtaking sight to behold on her front porch to see the many beautiful hanging baskets of flowers. She gave to many charities, and it brought her much joy to donate food to the Westgate Chapel food bank. She was a member of Westgate Chapel, and loved every Sunday service she regularly attended. She was a devout Christian woman who often shared her deep love of Christ with others.
Carolyn is survived by her children, Deborah “Debbie” Hawley (David) of Lummi Island; Barbara Kostelyk (Jordan) of Edmonds; David Belanich (Tess) of Stanwood; Patricia Andreassen of Edmonds; and John Belanich of Woodinville. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, sister Marge Mae Sigurdson, and brother-in-law Roger Belanich (Susan).
Carolyn was pre-deceased by her husband, Darryl Nicholas Belanich, and sisters Gwen Lee House and Virginia Ann Burns. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Guild.
An outdoor service was held Friday Sept. 17, 2021 at 3 p.m. at Acacia Memorial Park, 14951 Bothell Way NE, Seattle. Viewing was at Peoples Memorial on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021 from 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at 2011 and First Ave. N, Seattle.
There will be a celebration of Carolyn’s life at Westgate Chapel at a future date.
