Carol Ann McCausland

Carol McCausland (Gamelien) Our beloved mom, Carol McCausland (Gamelien), passed away peacefully on April 4, 2018 after a long exhausting battle with chronic illness. Her medical conditions were not straight forward to treat, every new issue posing complications. There was no quick fix although she battled to make her quality of life better. Mom was so very fortunate to end up under the care of Lynne Munoz, ARNP, UW Woodinville. Lynne graciously cared for mom, serving as a confidant and friend. Lynne, you are truly our angel, we hope you know that our mom held you very dear. Dr. Steven Stanos from Swedish Medical Center provided mom pain management with dignity, compassion, and kindness. We are forever indebted to these providers. Although it is terribly hard to say goodbye, we are so thankful that her struggles are gone and she is now at peace. Prior to these debilitating years, mom found great joy in many things like cooking, shopping, gardening, and family. Anybody who sat at our family’s table, know what a terrific cook she was. Be it her lasagne, rib roast, hamburger soup, crab dip or german chocolate cake, nobody left the table hungry and leftovers were plentiful. Baking was always from scratch and rarely was there just one dessert option. The 130+ mile roundtrip haul did not stop mom from frequently heading to the mall where Nordstrom salespeople knew her by name. How lovely were the days of ‘layaway’? Be it Aurora Village for a Herfy’s burger, Northgate for a hot fudge sundae at Farrells, or buying Frango Mints at Frederick and Nelson downtown Seattle...mom and us kids were regulars. Flowers were always part of her life, she spent decades enjoying the nurturing and laborious aspects of gardening. Dahlias were most likely her favorite and yet her greatest creations were her hanging baskets which were packed full and overflowing with fuchsias, petunias, lobelia, impatiens and geraniums (to name just a few). This love was shared with her daughter, Michelle, as the two of them took mom’s latest yard of evergreens and transformed it into a perennial extravaganza! Raised beds and numerous pots (easily 50, thank you Molbaks two for one sale) screamed beauty and a deep passion for life! Our mother, was born May 25, 1938 in Everett, WA. As the youngest of five, she lived nearly 80 years. She grew up in Everett and later moved to Skykomish. It was here she met our father, Dennis McCausland, and raised three children. Many memories were created. In May 1982 we lost our father in a logging accident. Mom was suddenly faced with the challenge of working outside the home. She spent tireless hours in classes and training to find her way in the workforce and eventually ended up at Boeing as a machinist. Whether in/outside the home, our mom demonstrated and passed on a truly strong work ethic. Through the years, thousands of miles were put on mom’s red Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, as she ventured down Highway 2 to visit her mom and sisters. Despite a prominent gap in age, my mom and her sisters shared friendship and a very special bond. Many years of extended family gatherings were enjoyed and live forever in our hearts. The final 10 years of her life were brightened with the constant companionship of her little dog (4th child) Togo. New friends were always to be made on their long walks in Mill Creek, Mukilteo, and Edmonds. Sweet Togo always managed to bring a smile to mom’s face even in her final days. Carol leaves behind her three children, (Patty, Mike and Michelle); son-in-law, Joe; grandson, Trenton; sister, Linda; and extended family of nieces and nephews. Mom we hope that wherever you are in transition that CNN is playing loudly and a pot of hot coffee is brewing. Fly free, momma....