Estell Vivian Sleavin's Obituary
Estell Vivian Sweeney was born on May 14, 1924 in Tacoma, Washington to Chester DeForest Sweeney and Vida Manila Nerlin Sweeney. She passed away on April 27, 2023 in Dupont, Washington, just a couple weeks before her 99th birthday.
Estell grew up on Marine View Drive in Tacoma, Washington and graduated from Federal Way High School. She worked at Rhodes Department Store and at the Tacoma Shipyards during World War II. There she met Robert Thompson Williams and they married on August 12, 1945. Bob and Estell had three daughters: Trudy Jean, Marjory Ann and Wendy Kay. Family activities included camping, skiing, hiking and horseback riding. Estell started skiing at 40, after seeing how much her daughters enjoyed it; she became very proficient and skied until nearly 80.
Estell always loved to travel and would say, “I’d go to South Tacoma if anyone wanted to take a trip there”. (They actually lived in South Tacoma!) After Bob’s retirement, they were able to travel together, going as far as northern Mexico in their beloved camper.
When her girls left home, Estell took a course in Medical Records Transcription and went to work at St. Joseph’s Hospital in the Psychiatric Unit. She would say, “They knew where to put me!” She worked there 14 years, made many friends and shared great stories.
Bob died in 1981. Although she missed him, Estell was always an optimist looking forward to what was next. She started traveling more, primarily with her dear friend, Chic Hrabetin, taking many trips to Europe, Mexico, New Zealand and Australia.
In 1992 she was introduced to John James Sleavin (Jack). Their second date was hiking up along the Esmeralda Glacier on Mount Rainier and it looked like she had met someone who could keep up with her. They married on January 23, 1993 and honeymooned skiing in Austria. Jack and Estell traveled extensively throughout the world. They had many friends, kept up an active social life in Tacoma and volunteered with the Tacoma School District.
Jack died in 2004 and soon after Estell moved to her beloved condo. With the help of family, it was remodeled, refurbished and decorated. One of mom childhood friends, Ray Rogers (known to all as Uncle Ray), lost his wife, Aunt Doe, and he and Estell became companions and traveling partners. This wonderful friendship continued for many years and when he moved out of his home he settled into a condo near Estell.
After Uncle Ray died and Estell started experiencing some health issues she moved to Patriot’s Landing, an independent living, assisted living and memory care facility. Until shortly before her death, Estell was going on outings, engaging in activities and spending time with family and friends. She loved life and lived it to the fullest.
Estell is survived by her daughters, Trudy Dasovick and Marjory Johnson and was predeceased by her daughter, Wendy Polack, brother, Don Sweeney, sister, Marilyn Minhinnett and grandson, Stormie Johanson. Besides her daughters she leaves six grandchildren: David Zurflueh, Dan Dasovick, Heather Hoff, Annika Bjorkman, Megan Tienhaara, Erik Johnson and Christian Johnson, great-grandchildren Cailey Hoff, Jillian Hoff, Alex Doyle, Tanner Dean, Aliya Tienhaara, Kirsi Tienhaara and Lauryn Tienhaara, many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
She was truly the best daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and friend anyone could ever know, will be remembered well by everyone who knew her and greatly missed.
Estell’s life will be celebrated with a memorial service on Saturday, June 3, 10:30 AM at the Garden Chapel at Mountain View Funeral Home, Lakewood, WA. A reception will follow at the Celebration of Life Center at Mountain View.
Donations in her memory can be made to a fund for staff at Patriot’s Landing. The staff at Patriot’s Landing were wonderful to her and made her last years a joy, filled with love.
Resident’s Association of Patriot’s Landing (RAPL)
Patriot’s Landing
1600 Marshall Circle
DuPont, WA 98327
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