Gay Larae Chriest: March 1, 1944 – Dec. 23, 2016

Gay Larae Chriest was born on March 1, 1944 in Kettle Falls, Wash.

A very well-known Coupeville character, Gay held many interesting jobs over her life, including bartender extraordinaire, server, travel agent, accountant and banquet server.

She was part of the American Legion and frequently visited the Tyee Restaurant in Coupeville, where she was a regular and considered family. Some of them nicknamed her “WOB,” a title she wore proudly.

She would always ask a neighbor to scare the deer away for her before she left Tyee to go home at night. The Tyee family was always there for her, always put up with her BS and will forever remember her complaining about something, making everyone laugh and love her.

She is survived by her husband Ed, her children Chad Noel and Charo Huntley; her grandchildren Chris Noel-Bjergum, Justin Noel, Brandon Noel and Chyla Helean; her great-grandchildren Natalie Noel age 7, Aiden Noel age 2, Benjamin Noel-Bjergum age one month and Arianna Lopez age 3.

A celebration of life service is being planned for the spring or summer. The family requests that any donations be made to the ASPCA and/or World Wildlife Fund. The family would also like to give special thanks to the Tyee Restaurant in Coupeville for looking after Gay and loving her as family, as well as to the Fidalgo Care Center in Anacortes.