Karen (Cline) Ferry

Karen was born Sept. 17, 1953, in Ontario, Ore., and grew up in Glenns Ferry, Idaho. She died March 3, 2015, at her home in Westport, Wash. The following obituary is written in her own hand.

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The thing about writing one's own obituary is that one can go on and on about how wonderful one is. You who knew me don't need me to say that -- you either liked me or you didn't.

My parents, who passed away long before me, were my dad, Kenneth Robert Cline, born in 1924 in Kuna, Idaho, and my mom, Florence Imogene Farni, born in Hammon, Oklahoma, in 1927. They married in October 1952. I came along in 1953, and then my brother, Kenneth Robert, in 1954.

We only have one surviving auntie left, Nadine. My brother used to call her and Aunt Theo the magpie sisters because they could keep a conversation going forever. Nadine has always been there for me, never forgetting a birthday or Christmas.

I always remember smelling her yummy Avon perfumes in every container you can imagine -- one of my favorites was the ice cream cone -- shaped bottle that smelled so light and fresh. That must have been fifty years ago.

I have scads of cousins on both sides of the family, some who I'm close to and others who I've not seen in years. I'm lucky to know most of Mike's cousins; they've accepted me into the family, and have always been kind and fun. I have five nieces, three nephews, two great-nieces, and a great-nephew who give Mike and I much joy.

I have my truly wonderful husband -- yes, I know, the darn building inspector. If you really knew him, you'd know a kind, generous man with the biggest heart ever. It wasn't always easy, but it was always worth it.

There is also my brother, Ken. He's true blue, loyal, and kind. He would do anything for Mike and I and his friends. He's as fond of our clams and boletes as we are of his morels.

And my sister friends, you know who you are. I am ever grateful for your support and love, keeping me sane when I've just not been so sure.

Then it's our beaches, my garden, and doing art that have chinked all those little cracks left around my heart. My heart is full, no regrets! I was able to have many good adventures through my life, and was lucky that Mike was up to driving and taking us on more. I have two other great loves that I've missed, my dogs, Catfish and Hellen. They and the ducks and the cats made us laugh every day.

My heart is filled with joy and although I don't really want to leave you all, the energy I have left needs to go meet up with the energy I have lost so I can be whole again and see what comes next.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztV0SLgIY7c

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Karen didn't want a funeral service, a memorial or a celebration of life, but she understood that her friends and family would want to gather to remember her in some way, so she wanted it to be a party.

"Well, then," she said, "you'd better just have a damn wake."

Karen Ferry's Damn Wake will be Saturday, April 18, 2015, at her home, 260 East Harms Drive in Westport, starting at noon.