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Debbie Cashio, 1959—2000
Our very first WHEEL/Women In Black vigil was for Debbie Cashio. In late May, 2000, we were heartbroken to learn that her body had been found in the “Jungle” greenbelt near 8th and Jackson. After our vigil, Women In Black did a cleansing ritual at the site. The Seattle Police Department classified her death as “suspicious” until her murderer was found, and convicted, five years later. Standing in silent meditation at WHEEL’s first Women in Black vigil, I had a strong clear vision of Debbie Cashio, whom I did not know, in a sunlit kitchen, in a farmhouse, happy. Long after the vigil I learned Debbie had grown up and had a happy childhood in a…
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Tessie Pierre Comeslast, 1956—1999
“Power dies, power goes under and gutters out, ungraspable. It is momentary, quick of flight and liable to deceive. As soon as you rely on the possession it is gone. Forget that it ever existed, and it returns. I never made the mistake of thinking I owned my own strength, that was my secret. And so I was never alone in my failures. I was never to blame entirely when all was lost, when my desperate cures had no effect on the suffering of those I loved. For who can blame a man waiting, the doors open, food offered, arms stretched wide? Who can blame him if the visitor does…
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Ethel “Cookie” Cooke, 1923—1995
Ethel Cooke (known by most of her friends as “Cookie” or “Dr Cookie”) died early in the morning of April 17, 1995 at Noel House, 2301 Second Avenue, Seattle. She had been ill with a congestive heart and pneumonia, and chose not to receive medical care when it was offered the night she died, fulfilling her wish to die at “home” and not in the hospital.
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Paul Corgatelli, 1953—2007
From Paul’s Obituary in the Seattle Times: “Son of Paul Louis Corgatelli, Sr. and Ollie B. Corgatelli, both deceased. His gentle spirit will be deeply missed by his loving family and numerous friends. Burial was on June 2, at Hillcrest Burial Park, Kent, WA.” Paul’s leaf is placed at the Family & Adult Service Center. If you have photos or memories of Paul, please post a comment.
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Ali Daneshi’far (“Al Farr”), 1959—2009
Al lived at Tent City 3 before moving to Nickelsville. He was a good friend to everyone in camp. He had been a taxi and limo driver at one time, and owned his own painting company before hard times hit him. He loved his daughter and son, Nicole and Alex. Al’s Leaf is placed at the Seattle Justice Center. If you have stories or memories to share about Al please post a comment.
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Melissa Davis, 1976—2006
Melissa was found at Courthouse Park at 4th and Yesler. She was stabbed to death. Melissa’s Leaf is installed at the Seattle Justice Center. If you have stories or memories to share about Melissa, please post in the comments.
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Noel Dennis, 1927—1991
Noel Dennis was one of the earliest residents of the Catholic Community Services Winter Women’s Shelter that grew into Noel House. She was quiet, but unbelievably generous. She gathered magazines, clothing, and other things to give to her homeless sisters in the shelter. She used to sit in the reclining chair in the shelter lobby, and often fell asleep there. When Noel died on August 4th, 1991, we got a call from the Medical Examiners Office. Noel had named the shelter as her next of kin. The women of the shelter later chose to name the program in memory of this precious individual, saying, “we shall always remember her gentle…
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Timothy Dewitt, 1964—2001
Timothy’s leaf is placed at the Family & Adult Service Center. If you have photos or memories of Timothy, please share them in the comments.
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Colette Fleming, 1951—2002
Beloved member of WHEEL, Women in Black, DESC. Her remains are buried in a common grave in Des Moines, Washington.
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Thomas Fribley, 1958—2005
Thomas’s leaf is placed at the Family & Adult Service Center. If you have photos or memories of Thomas, please post a comment.
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Tattoo Joe Gaerte, 1976—2006
Tattoo Joe spent most of his life in custody. When he finished his sentence, he asked for a one-way ticket to Seattle because he fell in love with a magazine picture of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. His social worker said, “I still struggle to figure out the meaning of all of this, why I had such a brief time to work with him. Maybe all this has meaning–to remember those who otherwise would be forgotten because our communities don’t see the value of them and the blessings they bring.”
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Davina Garrison, 1963—2005
Her body was found near the railroad tracks off of the waterfront on Thanksgiving Day. The Chief Medical Examiner, Dr Richard Harruff, responded to the scene on this holiday. Her body had been set on fire to cover up the murder. Women in Black did a cleansing ritual there. Davina Garrison’s Leaf is installed at the Seattle Justice Center. If you have stories or memories to share about Davina, please post in the comments. David Rose of “Washington Most Wanted” published a story on Thanksgiving 2018 about Davina and our remembrance of her: Remembering woman beaten, set on fire on Thanksgiving Day. Thank you, David.
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Major Lee Gay, 1957—2008
He was shot to death September 11th 2008. His body was discovered off an access road near the 1100 block of South Atlantic Street. “Things are changing thanks to you. People are taking notice. I didn’t know you all that well. But you deserve honor.” Major’s Leaf is installed at the Seattle Justice Center. If you have stories or memories to share about Major please post in the comments. Featured Leaf September 2014
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Irene Giguerre, 1956—2006
My Memories of a Beautiful Sister by Janice Connelly I met Irene in 2005; we were bunkmates at Hammond House Shelter. She was one bed over from mine. Irene was a beautiful, long-haired, quiet, dignified Native lady. She liked her beer and could get a little rowdy when she came in at night, and she was well liked by the staff at Hammond. In spite of her condition she could always be talked into retiring to her bed peacefully. We didn’t get to talk too much because she usually came in close to quiet time at 10 p.m. She had a boyfriend who adored her; she felt the same about…
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Gayle Douglas Grant, 1962—2010
Gayle had found housing at Rose House at the time of her death. Before that she was a resident of Noel House. She was beloved in many places. Gayle was run over and killed at the corner of 2nd and Bell, in front of Noel House, while waiting for the traffic light. Gayle’s leaf is placed at Noel House.
