Jean Link McCarrell

Jean Elizabeth McCarrell died Aug. 7 quietly in her sleep, with her daughter Kelly at her side.  She was 82.

 

Ms. McCarrell was born on Feb. 6, 1928 in Springfield, Ohio, and spent most of her early life in and around Sheridan, Wyo.

 

In the surrounding countryside, she developed a love for ranch life and the Rocky Mountains. She wasn’t all about roughing it, though.

 

In1947, she was crowned Queen of the Sweetheart Ball at the East Montana Normal School. She wore a white and blue formal.

 

Ms. McCarrell graduated from the Colorado State College of Education at Greeley, Colo. in 1950 with a degree in fine arts.

 

While completing her degree, she met and subsequently married Capt. Charles B. McCarrell in 1952.

 

Living the life of an army family, they raised five children, spending the majority of this time in Mukilteo. 

 

In 1979, the two divorced and Ms. McCarrell moved to Lake Stevens.

 

Always creative, during this time her projects blossomed. She started a water-color painting business and bought a potters kiln.  

 

Ms. McCarrell retired from Molbak’s Nursery in 1998.

 

Her days were filled with caring for her spectacular gardens, ducks and pets as well as spinning, weaving, painting, volunteering to teach ESL and donating quilts to ICU babies.  

 

For much of her life, Ms. McCarrell suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, which caused her considerable pain. Although it slowed her down, it never stopped her from spending time with friends and family and enjoying all her artistic pursuits.

 

Many will remember her when they curl up with one of her handmade quilts, gaze at one of her hundreds of paintings, or see the spring shoots from plants generously shared from her ever expanding garden.

 

She will live on in many ways. Her final gift was in leaving her remains to science so that others might benefit.

 

Ms. McCarrell is survived by her children, Scott, Kay, Brad, Kelly and Mark, as well as seven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

 

A memorial service will be held for Ms. McCarrell at 11 a.m. on Aug. 28 at Floral Hall in Everett.

 

If you would like to make a donation in her memory, please do so to:  The Everett Gospel Mission Homeless Support, P.O. Box 423, Everett, WA 98206-0423. Or Call (425) 252-1297 to donate by credit card.