Faith Ellen Chaufty
December 27, 1957 - March 30, 2024
Obituary
“Has anyone told you yet for today that Jesus loves you? Well, He does, and so do I.” Those were the first words Faith Chaufty spoke every morning for nearly 40 years to her sister Billie during their daily morning check-in call. At night, she would say, “Rose pedals on your bed and angels all around you” and “Has anyone told you yet for tomorrow that Jesus loves you? Well, He does, and so do I. I’ll talk to you in the morning, Lord willing.” Those words captured and reflected Faith’s faith, her compassion, her love, and her desire for all to know Jesus.
Faith Ellen Chaufty went home to Jesus on March 30, 2024, at the age of 66.
Faith was born on December 27, 1957, in Seattle, WA. She was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel C. Chaufty and her mother, Marie Kuxhouse-Holzer-Chaufty, whom she both loved deeply. She is survived by her siblings, Jeannie Hix (Steve), Billie Holzer, Kathy Orth (Tom), and Adam Chaufty (Angie); 6 nieces, 2 nephews, and many great and grand nieces and nephews.
While life was not always easy for her, Faith recognized that she was God’s masterpiece. It was that fact that gave her purpose. She read the Bible through multiple times and especially appreciated verses about love and kindness. Faith’s passions included crocheting, public speaking, traveling and relationships. She pursued each one of these with determination.
Faith spent hours crocheting beautiful afghans, baby blankets and booties, Christmas trees and stockings for loved ones, as well as dog blankets for her three favorite pets. Eventually she expanded her labor of love to include creating winter scarves for two homeless shelters. As she crocheted, Faith would always pray for the recipients.
Faith’s first official public speech was on the steps of the Capitol Building in Olympia. She asked Washington legislators to provide additional funding for caseworkers for the developmentally disabled. Once Faith had that microphone in her hand, she was hooked. With encouragement from her supportive living staff at Creative Living/ResCare, Faith wrote her life story with the message that “everyone is important, everyone has gifts, and everyone has value. If I can do it, you can do it too.” She memorized her speech and began presenting it to supportive living staff. Faith also took part with the WISE Company in online DDA panel discussions with new DDA case managers throughout the Pacific Northwest to Chicago. Presented through Zoom, during the height of the pandemic, Faith advocated for continued support for frontline workers on Legislative Advocacy Day. In 2019, Faith had the privilege to share her perspective at an annual Community Summit Conference held in Wenatchee, WA., and was again asked to present in 2023. Faith’s public speaking was one of her greatest joys.
“Joy” can come in many forms, and this one is called “Travel.” As far back as Faith could recall, she thoroughly enjoyed her family vacations and outings with her parents and siblings, and she had the photos to prove it! But thankfully, another spoke in the “Travel Wheel” was added, introducing Faith to new and independent adventures that only “Sundial Special Vacations” could offer. This was a win-win situation for Faith and her family. She could select her vacations and confidently travel with friends and meet new people along the way, and for Faith’s family, we knew she would be safe in the care of Sundial’s chaperones and guides. Faith loved all her vacations and came back with gifts for all.
Most importantly, Faith loved being a part of a family, participating in the ordinary as well as the extraordinary. Faith had not only her own siblings’ and their spouses’ birthdays memorized, their children’s birthdays, but also her sister-in-law’s nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews birthdays memorized. If you were the lucky birthday recipient, the morning greeting would be the “Happy Birthday” song sung by Faith, who had a lovely voice. She loved all celebrations. Pre-Covid, she often hosted a summer potluck at her condo for several of the participants in her Supported Living program. Faith was generous, loving, and forgiving; she was an exceptionally caring person.
Faith will be forever cherished and loved, and we look forward to being reunited with her one day. In the meantime, we ask, “Has anyone told you yet for today that Jesus loves you?”
Funeral Home: Bonney-Watson 16445 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98188 206-242-1787
As I begin to express my thoughts, I can hear Faith say, “Oh, Billie, stop,” but I can’t. I just miss my “Dear Baby Sister” and my “Little Sweet Pea” so very much. I miss calling her with a question that I know she would have the answer to. Our daily conversations were as important to me as they were to her, and especially when she would inject her quick wit and humor that got us laughing to tears. Faith was a sweet, fragrant rose in God’s Garden, with an immeasurable capacity to love and give to others. There’s no need to tell Faith any longer that “Jesus Loves You,” because in His presence, she already knows. I’m so grateful that she’s in His care. Faith will always hold that special place in my heart. “Love you always, Sweet Pea!”
I love having Faith in my heart and thoughts, so it’s like she travels with me everyday. It is a warm, lovely feeling that I don’t want to end. I miss her wit, humor, her laugh and insights, for she was very smart. Never let the outside package of a gift define what could be inside, and Faith was a gift with abundance of giftedness inside. She is in the Father’s House, enjoying all that He has promised, and in my mind’s eye, I can see her singing, enjoying the fellowship, and in awe of God’s creation. A wonderful gain for her, but a huge loss for me/us, for no-one can take her place in my heart, our hearts. Until it is my turn, your sister’s time to join you, keep celebrating with Jesus, the angels and His sheep.