Carmen Ellis (December 20, 1936 – February 29, 2016)

Born in Port Angeles, Carmen Ellis grew up in Sequim on a family farm.

She participated in all the farm activities, from cutting pulp wood on one end of a cross-cut saw to milking and feeding animals. She also took part in the family-run greenhouse, Stewarts, raising vegetables and flower plants to be sold in Sequim and Port Angeles.

Carmen joined the Sequim Valley Guernsey Cattle 4-H Club and showed in both county and state fairs.

She also played baseball for the Port Angeles Elks.

When in the second game, the pitcher didn’t show up, the catcher said, “Come on, Corkey. Put one right here.” From that pitch on, she was the starter, and the name stuck. Their winning streak lasted for three years.

She graduated from Sequim in 1957.

Carmen married in 1959 and worked in a convalescent home.

In 1960, they moved to Crescent City, California, for several years. There, Carmen worked in a crab cannery on the line, shelling crab in the lead position. If you ever wanted to see a crab jump out of its shell, you’d hand it to Corkey.

In the mid-’60s, she moved back to Sequim to take care of her parents, Stewart and Ester Ellis.

She remarried in 1979 and moved to Forks. She worked in the hospital and at various odd jobs.

Carmen donated many hours as a volunteer in convalescent care as an activity director. She also had a love of gardening and canning.

She often made and decorated wedding and specialty cakes. She had a talent for sewing and quilting as well.

After the death of her husband, she once again moved, this time to St. Maries, Idaho where she passed away on February 29, 2016, at 9:30 a.m.

She is survived by one brother, four stepchildren and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers.

Carmen was always “quick to lend a hand.”

Her words were true and, if given a job, it was done.

If she picked up the plow, her furrow was straight and true.

Carmen will be missed.