Union-Bulletin

Carole Richmond
Jan. 11, 1935 - June 25, 2012

Carole LaRue Sanders Richmond died June 25, 2012, following a long courageous battle with brain cancer. Carole was born on Jan. 11, 1935, in Emmett, Ida., to parents Keith and Phoebe Sanders.
Carole spent her younger years in the Spokane Valley attending grade school where she was well liked by classmates and teachers. Carole often related to her very happy childhood remembering all of her teacher's names and shared stories about each of them and her many close friends. She went on to graduate from Central Valley High School in 1953 where she met her husband Floyd. She was involved with school social activities, the theatre and student government.

Carole got her PHT (Putting Hubby Through) degree from Washington State College where Floyd attended. She worked for WSC while raising her first 2 children. After graduation in 1959 they moved to Port Townsend where the family grew to 5. They became a part of a close community of Fort Warden families that Carole took great pride in being a part of. Her friendships, work with Children's Orthopedic Hospital fundraisers, bridge club and hosting Democratic candidates kept her extremely busy.
Carole discovered her career ambitions when she went to work for Employment Security. This is also where she developed an interest in political and human rights issues. Carole continued those efforts upon her arrival in Walla Walla in 1972 being named the Chair of the Walla Walla Democratic Party. Carole was a feminist, dedicated to the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment and active with numerous National Organization for Women activities and events. When she worked for the Walla Walla School District she was instrumental in implementing Title IV . She often talked about how much she loved her work and the people she worked with. Carole and Floyd left Walla Walla in 1985 for new adventures in Ketchikan, Alaska, where she worked in human resources for Ketchikan General Hospital. She continued her involvement with the community being active with the League of Women Voters.

In 1998 Carole and Floyd became "full-time-motorhomer's" traveling to Phoenix every winter following WSU Cougar football season. Carole was the RV motor home park "hostess" for all the Cougar home games and developed more wonderful friendships.

Carole is survived by her husband, Floyd and her children Kathy (Clark) Covey, Mike (Eileen) Richmond, Cheryl (John) Richmond-Witwer, Linda (Scott) Winnett and Denise (Yousef) Habash; 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; her sister, Judy (Denny) Young; and brother, Roger (Pam) Sanders. She is preceded in death by her parents; and her sister, Sharon (Jim) Bain.
Carole began her life by struggling to survive and being rescued by her Aunt Nell, so the rest of her life was full of courageous battles to help others--those forgotten or rejected by the dominant powers--to survive and thrive. She was a wonderful mother, wife, grandmother and friend. In her final months her family treasured memories of her as she dealt with the illness that took her not only physically but mentally from us all.
A celebration of Carole's life will be held at the family home at 2339 S. Wilbur Avenue, Walla Walla, on July 14, 2012. Memorial contributions can be made to YWCA of Walla Walla or the American Cancer Society.