Lucille Jean Buse

Lucille Jean Buse Lucille Jean “Sally” Buse passed away peacefully on September 19, 2018 after complications from dementia. Sally was born Lucille Jean Hellmich on December 13, 1928 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. An excellent athlete during her youth, Sally played baseball for the semi-pro Milwaukee Brewerettes. She moved her family to Tacoma, Washington in 1958 and worked in the Tacoma School District teaching math and science. In 1967 she enrolled in a Master’s Program in Guidance and Counseling at Washington State University which led to a job as a guidance counselor at Newport High School in Newport, Oregon. Sally was a popular faculty member and many students maintained contact with her well into their adulthood. When she left Newport High School many years later, Sally pursued varied career opportunities including a hospital drug abuse counselor, a surveyor, a candy store proprietor, and -the achievement of which she took great pride- becoming the first woman in the United States to pass the Certified Safety Professional exam. After getting her certification, Sally spent several years as a Safety Engineer for Fireman’s Fund performing inspections of facilities around the country.She retired in Oregon to enjoy her golden years in 1990. In retirement, Sally kept busy managing the Woodburn Senior Estates annual Arts and Crafts festival in Woodburn, Oregon for several years and built it into a very successful venture. Her guilty pleasure in retirement was spending time in casinos playing slots. Sally was a vibrant personality, always one to speak her mind, and was a joy to know for those who met her. She recognized that her life was unconventional and wanted to be remembered with the Frank Sinatra song, “My Way”. She is survived by son Randy J. Miller of Normandy Park, Washington, daughter Lauri Jo Cash of Aloha, Oregon, estranged son Larry Scott Miller of Burley, Washington, and grandchildren Shannon Miller, Chelsey Miller, Preston Miller, and Alexandra Harrington-Miller. The family would like to express their extreme gratitude to Aegis Living of Kent in Kent, Washington for their excellent and compassionate care for Sally in her final years, and to CHI Franciscan Hospice Care who provided comfort for Sally at the end. If Sally touched your life and you are able, the family encourages a donation on her behalf to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org. Arrangements by Edwards Memorial, Funerals Homes, Chapels and Crematories. 253-566-1008