In Loving Memory

Mary Carolyn Chester

Mary Carolyn Chester, age 91, a 67-year resident of Colville, WA passed away December 9, 2022 in Colville.  Carolyn was born on February 8, 1931 in Harrison, AR the daughter of Lyle and Eva (Nichols) Travis.

Carolyn and her family resided in the Harrison area where she began grade school.  At the age of 10, their family moved to Cody, WY.  Carolyn began middle school in Cody, WY and then the family moved again, this time to the Tri-Cities area of Washington State.  Carolyn attended all four years of high school in Kennewick, WA and graduated from Kennewick High School in 1948.  She then continued her education at Eastern State College in Cheney where she earned her bachelor's degree in education in 1952.  Carolyn accepted her first teaching job in Colville, WA.  While in Colville, she met Mr. Lee Daniel Chester.  Carolyn moved away for one year to Santa Maria, CA but was drawn back by the charm of Mr. Chester.  They began a courtship and were soon married.  Exchanging vows on August 5, 1956, they would work, play and raise their family in Colville together until Lee's passing on Nov. 17, 2017.    Carolyn had a passion for teaching and she held the needs of her students and the education first and foremost.  She retired in 1985 after 30 years of teaching in the Colville School District.  She began as a grade school educator but the greatest sum of her career was in high school, English, literature and speech.  She was also active in the drama club and numerous plays and productions.

While her family was young, they took yearly vacations together and Carolyn always made sure there were frozen pop-sickles and Band aids and Bactrim to cool her returning boys and sooth their daily scuffs.  Their family also snowmobiled in the winters making countless circles around the fire to warm up.  In the later years, she and Lee enjoyed traveling on Corbin bus tours to visit the beauty, history and make friends along the way.  They also took a sea cruise to Alaska and many local drives in the country.  One of her bucket list trips took her to England where she connected with distant family and enjoyed the sights of Royal buildings and history.  Above all, she recounted most, the mule packing trip into Wyoming with all of her boys, Lee, Daniel and Doug where she found joy in watching their faces as she rested in camp after the perils of the 18 miles pack trip in and then out.  They also enjoyed family time at the cabin on Lake Roosevelt.  Her pot roast and Dutch Apple Pie awaited the outdoorsman family she raised upon their return.  Her runny huckleberry pie left no trace in the bowl nor did her epic Peach-a-berry pie.  Many card games dealt the time away in the evenings, as well as a good book, of which she had countless.

She and Lee were actively involved in the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.  Carolyn also maintained membership in Delta Kappa Gamma, Atheneum and as a longtime volunteer at the public library.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband, Lee.

She is survived by her sons, Daniel Chester (Patty) of Colville, WA, Doug Chester of Colville, WA; grandchildren Tyrell Eslick and Dylan Chester; great grandchildren, Aubriegh and Aidric Eslick, Owen Chester, and a host of extended family.

Carolyn's family gathered for a time of visitation at the Danekas Chapel.  A memorial service will begin at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 28, 2023 at the Colville Community College Auditorium.  Carolyn will be laid to rest beside her husband, Lee, at the Mountain View Park Cemetery in Colville.  Memorial contributions may be given to the Colville Public Library.  Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com . Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted in care.