Carol June Starr Gillenwater
June 21, 1923 - July 22, 2013
Obituary
Carol June Starr Gillenwater
The summer solstice of 1923 not only brought the longest day that year, but it also marked the birth of Carol June Starr. It was also a long day for Alice Starr who gave birth at home in West Seattle. H. Lynn Starr was pleased to have a girl after fathering three sons. Mom loved her dad and whenever she spoke about him it was with fond affection. She would recall how he made her feel special when her dad sang to her as she sat in his lap.
Carol’s small size and husky voice brought the attention of doctors who were concerned about The White Plague, which we refer to now as tuberculosis, a highly contagious disease and the leading cause of death in Seattle in the early 1900s. At age 6 Carol was committed to Firland Sanatorium, Seattle’s municipal tuberculosis hospital. As a patient Carol was only allowed to wear panties and shoes and socks. If it was cold and the children played outside, they were given only hats and gloves. She never did catch the dreaded White Plague and was eventually returned to her family.
However, concern for this contagious disease would impact Carol’s life again. Her mother Alice was also committed to Firland after an x-ray revealed a spot on her lung. Her dad Lynn decided to send mom to live with his sister Myrtle in Colville WA. After a time, once again Carol was returned to her family after her mother was released from Firland. These separations from her family were difficult for Carol, and they impacted her education.
Carol began her relationship with Jesus Christ in her youth after being invited to church by her brother Lew Jim, or as I knew him, Uncle Lewie. When she was 16 she sang in the choir at Gatewood Baptist Church. Carol’s first mission field was her family. She made sure that her children heard the gospel at an early age, and both my sister Lynn and I received Jesus as our savior very early. Her husband however took a little longer. Mom never gave up on dad, praying for him for decades. It was her primary mission in life to see him come to Christ. So much so that when he finally did at age 98, it was difficult for her to believe. However, after many discussions and dad’s baptism at age 100 she did believe it.
Carol completed high school in 1941 just in time for a World War. She went to work at a start-up airplane company helping to build the Flying Fortress. There was lots of work at Boeing where they were manufacturing 13 B-17s a day. On her first day, her supervisor met her at the gate asking, “Are you Carol Starr?” She followed him to her new work station but didn’t stay there. She continued to follow Hugh Gillenwater, her supervisor, through the factory. She was soon reoriented to her work station. However as she worked she would catch his eye, and he would wink at her. Sometimes when he would see her, he would put his right hand in his shirt over his heart and pat his chest, simulating a heartbeat. And so the romance began. They were married on June 18, 1943 and Carol quit building airplanes.
They made their first home on the appropriately named Star Lake until the War ended. Then Hugh and Carol relocated to Grants Pass, OR to start a business and raise a family. Gene was born in 1946 and Lynn in 1952. Dad owned an appliance store, selling and repairing home appliances. A recession affected the lumber industry and in 1956 we had to relocate to Roseburg, OR. Dad bought into a furniture and appliance store, but the recession continued and after one more year we returned to the Seattle area. Dad went back to work for Boeing and was promoted to supervisor after three days as an A mechanic. Mom was happy to be home near family, and we began attending a small church in what was once a Safeway store on Beacon Hill.
Mom’s focus outside the home became Galilee Baptist Church. She started by arranging “Special Music” for Sunday Service. Mom’s involvement with music grew when she was asked to sing with Mildred Ritchey and Mae Peterson with Elma Danielson on piano. That trio continued together for over thirty years. She also sang in a quartet with Kenny Danielson, her brother Lewis Starr and Mae Peterson with Mildred on piano. Mom taught Sunday School and served two 3 year terms as president of the Ladies Missionary Fellowship. Mom was also a prayer warrior. She and her best friend Mildred Ritchey spent many hours praying together on the phone for their children, missionaries and Pastors. Mom’s motivational quote was, “Those who deserve it least need the most love.”
Mom worked at home for my uncle Frank supporting his glass business. Hugh and Carol bought a lot on 131st Street and built a new home. We moved in 1958 and we called it our best house. Carol’s talents revealed themselves in the home as well. Mom was an accomplished seamstress, great cook, artist and poet. Mom fulfilled the roll of wife and mother as her children grew up and left home to start their own lives. The favorite family activity was camping. After dad retired from Boeing and quit Cascade Design they traveled the country.
In 2005 they relocated again, this time to Sequim WA and bought a condo. In 2010 dad finally let mom retire and they moved into the 5th Ave where independent living is like staying in a hotel and eating in a restaurant. In 2012 health issues became their greatest physical challenge and they both passed away. For mom it was at 7:20 in the morning of July 22.
Carol is survived by her son Gene Gillenwater and his wife Sharon; daughter Starr Lynn Martin and her husband Russell; grandsons Peter Grant, Jared Grant, Justin Gillenwater and his wife Erin; great-grandson Cade Gillenwater and great-granddaughter Kylie Gillenwater; one brother, Sid Starr; sisters-in-law Cecilia Starr, Virginia Starr and Minda Starr; numerous nieces and nephews and extended family.
So thankful to have known her , I can still remember calling her and let her know that i said my Sinners Prayer, she was very happy. She is my sister and I will see her again.