Eva Mae Gabelein

Eva Mae Gabelein

Eva Mae Gabelein passed away peacefully on June 11, 2006. She was born on Whidbey Island on April 2, 1928 to George and Elizabeth Smith. She had three older brothers and was called “Babe” by her family and friends. She always said that her family got by in those early years by eating deer meat, clams, fish caught from Lone Lake and vegetables from her parents’ garden.

When she was six years old she came down with tuberculosis. She could not walk or go to school for a year. She made a full recovery and took two years of school in one year to catch up with her class at the Bayview School. When the boys at school needed more players for the baseball team, Eva Mae was always asked to play and developed a lifetime love for the game. She attended Langley High School and was Salutatorian of the class of 1946. Two days after graduation she began work as a private secretary at Seattle First National Bank in downtown Seattle, where she got a taste of the “big city” life. Her high school sweetheart, Raymond Gabelein would see her each weekend and he proposed to her on the 4th of July. They were married one year later, on August 2, 1947. Raymond knew a good thing when he saw it and he asked her to give up her career and become his wife.

Raymond and Eva Mae made their home and raised their five children on the family farm in the Bayview area. They raised cattle and horses and had almost every kind of animal you can name. They also raised Springer Spaniel and Labrador dogs. When they kept a “pick of the litter” for themselves, she was always named “Queenie” or “Lady.” Many young people called the farm their second home, where they were treated like family and got to help with the daily chores. Many summer residents came to the farm to rent and ride horses. The Island County Fair was the big event of the year where everyone would show their horses and participate in fair activities. Eva Mae loved animals and nursed many back to health, including several orphaned deer, all known as “Bambi.” Eva Mae and Raymond enjoyed hunting trips together, but she later admitted that she really didn’t want to shoot anything. In later years, she helped Raymond pack up for the trips, but stayed home to catch up on projects. Her dog Muffin was her loyal companion and she referred to him as her partner after Raymond died.

Eva Mae was a very active volunteer in the South Whidbey community and she participated in many organizations. She was PTA president; organizing many school activities and fundraisers. She and Raymond founded the South Whidbey Centaurs Horse 4-H Club and were leaders for 16 years. She was very active at the Island County Fair as a 4-H leader, Fair Association Member, Fair Board Member and Entertainment Chairperson. For her outstanding job with the entertainment, the Midway Stage was named for her when she retired. She and Raymond established the Antique Barn exhibit at the fairgrounds and enjoyed greeting and visiting with friends and fair visitors as they came through the barn. They were honored as “Grand Marshall” of the fair parade for two years.

Eva Mae and Raymond organized Teenage Dances at the Bayview Hall for over 15 years. On Saturday nights during each summer they chaperoned hundreds of young people and felt they offered an alternative to “getting into trouble” on the Island. They also served as the volunteer managers of the hall and lead efforts to restore the building so that it could be enjoyed by future generations.

Eva Mae was a proprietary member of the Holmes Harbor Rod and Gun Club. She was president of the Ladies Auxiliary and organized the annual Easter egg hunt for hundreds of children. She and Raymond enjoyed many good times together with friends dancing and socializing at the club.

Eva Mae worked on the local elections board and served as secretary for Diking and Drainage District Number 1. After the kids were raised, she enjoyed the opportunity to work for Skagit Valley College at the Bayview School House, where she had attended school. She was also a member of the Daughters of Norway and American Legion Post 141. The past few years, she enjoyed social events at the Senior Center and Red Hat Society. She loved to garden and got to see her radishes and corn come up this year.

Eva Mae was an avid Mariners fan and tuned in to all the games. She attended Spring Training in Phoenix for several years. The highlight of these trips was meeting Dan Wilson out by the pool of her hotel, where he held her hand and posed for a photo. She had the opportunity to travel to Reno, Nashville, California, Phoenix and Hawaii with family and friends. She especially enjoyed her recent Columbia River Cruise with friends and her cruise to Mexico with family. Her favorite local trips were to Sunlight Beach and the beach cabin at Maxwelton where she loved to sit in the sun with family.

Eva Mae’s children feel her biggest achievement was being married to Raymond for 56 years. She worked side by side with him on the farm and was the organizer for all of their community involvement and his various activities. She nursed him back to health after he had a major stroke and helped him keep the farm going. She was the most patient and loving wife imaginable and was known to him as “Hon.”

Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were the light of her life. Her favorite times were Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve at the farm, surrounded by her family. She always had a real Santa Claus come to visit and hand out treats and presents, if you sat in his lap. She also loved to attend the sporting events and activities her children and grandchildren were involved in.

She touched everyone she met with the twinkle in her eyes and her sweet loving smile. She was the best wife, mother, grandmother and friend in the world. No one can ever take her place in our hearts.

Eva Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond. She is survived by her children, Gary (Janie) Gabelein, Bonnie (Michael) Altenburg, Ray (Laurie) Gabelein, Albert (Lori) Gabelein, Sandy (Rob) Marshall, 12 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, numerous sisters-in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, June 16 at the South Whidbey Assembly of God in Langley at 1 p.m., followed by a graveside at Bayview Cemetery and social at Holmes Harbor Rod and Gun Club.

Eva Mae and Raymond dedicated their lives to helping the youth in their community. The family requests memorials be sent to “The Raymond and Eva Mae Gabelein Memorial Scholarship Fund” c/o Whidbey Island Bank, Freeland WA 98249. This will be awarded annually to a deserving senior at South Whidbey High School.