www.yakima-herald.com/obit/show/3407

Jared Daniel Washines
Colonial Funeral Home

SEATTLE - Jared Daniel Washines, born November 11, 1974 at Ellensburg, WA, passed April 15, 2007 at the age of 32.

Education: Toppenish High School (1992), Transferred from Yakima Valley Community College to University of Washington (Seattle) where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Comparative History of Ideas (1998).

Employment: University of Washington Center on Human Development and Disability; Amazon.com Fraud Investigator; currently employed in food service � opening restaurants and marketing specialty gourmet food on-line.

Affiliation: Yakama Nation/Skokomish/Cree, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (member).

Direct Descendent of Chiefs: Meninock, Moses, Seattle (Sealth).

Grief is our greatest teacher. It opens up our heart, so that we dip into pockets of emotions and understanding that our fears and busy lives normally keep hidden.

Jared Washines went with the creator on a rainy Sunday morning. For those of us that knew Jared as a grandson, son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, or friend, we knew that Jared loved to walk in the rain. It is why he chose to live and work in Seattle, and we are comforted by the thought that it was a perfect day for him to begin this journey.

We acknowledge and accept that there is no tomorrow that will bring him back into our homes or our lives, but his teachings remain very much alive in the part of our hearts that jumped whenever he was near. His nieces and nephews expressed it best; when they saw him, they would shout, "Uncle Diddle is here!" and they would jump on him or try to catch him with the flat side of a toy sword. It is not an understatement to say that babies and young people were drawn to him, and his joy made him a source of light in many lives. However, the full power of Jared's spirit generosity, and gentleness was felt by those that needed it most. While he was studying in Seattle, he worked with children with autism disorders at a special education school based on the University of Washington and at camps during the summer. His love of life was the undeniable force that helped him reach these children.

The day before he passed, he went for a run and afterward, his roommate heard him say, "Life is good. Life is good." In later years, Jared was extremely dedicated to being the mirror that reflected life's beauty and goodness. He had always been a talented musician. He could hear a song or piece and then play it on the piano. He often played in Seattle public venues and for family and friends and was developing his talent as a composer. Jared was also an avid and talented writer. He shared stories with family and friends, and before his passing, he had been writing his first novel. His family hopes to organize and complete his novel for publication, so that Jared's passion for life can continue to live on in his works.

Our grief has opened us up, and we ask ourselves why he is gone. Maybe the answer comes from a reflection of how his life began. As an infant he faced a life-threatening illness. He was completely in God's hands. His survival was a blessing, and his mother Stella knew that he had lived for a reason and cherished his life as a gift. Jared was fun, gentle, and loving. He touched the hearts of many people and taught us how to enjoy life, so that now we realize everyday of his 32 years was a blessing to us all.

He is survived by parents Archie and Stella Washines of Toppenish; brother Brandon (Amy) Washines of West Valley; sisters Tawaia (Louis) Alvarado of Fairchild Airforce Base, Emily Washines (Jon) of Ellensburg, and Elese Washines of Toppenish; his beloved nieces Alexa, Brittany, Carmen Jae, Isabella, and Quinn; his nephew Elijah Washines; girlfriend Eunice Chung of Bellvue; Uncles Clifford, Anthony, Ronn, Davis, and Arlen Washines, Nick Paul, and Tom Mosqueda; Aunts Harriet (Leon) Strom, Angie Phillips, Shirley Pinkham, Norma Jack, Deona Levno; paternal grandmother Hazel Watlamett; his extended family with many special cousins, and all his diverse friends in this country, Italy, France, and Germany. He has two namesakes Carmen Jae Alvarado (parents: Tawaia and Sgt. Louis Alvarado) and Sapahtma Jared Blackeagle (parents: Josiah and D'Lisa Pinkham).

He is preceded by grandparents Edward Washines, Lena M. Phillips, Bertha and Nick Mosqueda; uncle Jasper Washines; cousins Thomas Mosqueda Jr. and Ella Washines; great-grandmothers Stella Cree Wynaco and Elsie Cree Pinkham, Maggie Syyou (& her sons Joe Meninick, Leonard Tomaskin, Raymond Watlamett).

Arrangements are being made through Colonial Funeral Home of Toppenish, WA.

Dressing services will be held at Colonial Funeral Home on Tuesday April 17, 2007 at 2:00 PM. Overnight services will be held Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at the Toppenish Longhouse. A funeral procession will leave the Toppenish Longhouse at 7:00 AM on Thursday April 19, 2007 for interment at Satus Point Cemetery. Colonial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.