Carol Peralta

Carol Peralta, 60, died Nov. 15 at Careage of Whidbey from an aggressive brain tumor. She was born Sept. 23, 1945 in Aberdeen, the oldest of 7 children of Leonard and Lois Imholte.

Carol grew up in western Washington and graduated from Mountlake Terrace High School. She studied art at the Seattle Art Institute, leaving after a few years to marry her high school love, William Michael Raymond in San Diego. They settled in Coupeville 33 years ago and she stayed to raise their children after his death. Her marriage to J.C. Peralta, who brought with him a daughter, ended in 1990. The joy of family was again extended by her union with Richard Zust in 1995.

Carol’s passion for the visual arts started young and blossomed throughout her life. She was an artist who lived her work. Her screen-printing business, CP Prints, has grown from a single manual press on the dining room table to a thriving business. CP Prints has operated for more than 20 years, providing services well beyond the Coupeville area. She also produced many art pieces in oils, watercolor and other mediums, with her works shown in local art shows. Carol generously gave of her time, sharing her creative skills through scouting, schools and her own business.

She was active in the Coupeville community. Carol was a member of the Coupeville Art Center Board, Coupeville Arts and Crafts Association, Totem Girl Scout Council, and Coupeville School Board. As school board president she enjoyed signing her own daughter’s graduation diploma. As a businesswoman, she belonged to the Chamber of Commerce, Soroptimist International, SGIA (Screen Printing Graphic Imaging Association) and other business related organizations. She also enjoyed golfing at the Whidbey Golf and Country Club and traveling with her partner Dick. She will be missed by all.

Carol is survived by her parents Leonard Imholte of Hoquiam and Lois Imholte of Seattle, her life partner and love of 10 plus years, Richard “Dick” Zust residing in Coupeville, daughter, Michelle Raymond in Minneapolis, Minn., son Keith Raymond in San Diego, Calif., daughter Shannon Rodriguez in Miami, Fla., stepson Tom Zust in San Diego, Calif., and stepdaughter Tiffany Pomrenke in Oak Harbor, her brother Ralph Imholte with wife Judy in Soldotna, Alaska, sister Marilyn Skelly with husband William in Seattle, sister Norma Neff in Des Moines, Wash., sister Colleen Ozbasar in Port Angeles, brother Steven Imholte with wife Alana in Murrieta, Calif., and brother Mark “Max” Imholte with wife Teri Thomas in Lake Forest Park. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Brianna, Cecilia, Keith William Nicole, and Harley Stuart, as well as many extended family members from the Raymond, Zust, and Imholte lines.

There will be a celebration of Carol’s life at the Coupeville Recreation Hall on Thursday, Dec. 1, from 5 to 7 p.m. Friends and family are encouraged to attend to share memories of Carol.

Remembrances may be made to the “Carol Peralta Memorial Art Scholarship Fund,” c/o the Coupeville Art Center, 15 NW Birch St, Coupeville, WA 98239.