A Sad Loss

My mother passed away last week. She was a great lady in many ways. She will be sorely missed by me and many others. Following is her obituary:

   Nina Alice Baxter passed away suddenly on November 14, 2012. Her health declined during the last few years necessitating the sale of her home in South Everett which was difficult for her. She hated giving up her independence and opportunity to take care of others. Since that time she lived in Garden Court Retirement Center, Sunrise View Retirement Villa and recently had moved to Home Care Adult Family Home all in South Everett. The family wishes to extend thanks to staff and new friends who provided Nina with support at those facilities.

    Nina was born to Charles Ernest and Rachael Birch in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 2, 1920. She experienced the Depression with her family. Her father lost his job and the family became farmers. Nina was always proud of being the “hired hand” as she drove a team of horses for cultivating and raking.

   She married Louis Baxter, her husband of 64 years on September 8, 1942. He passed away April 24, 2006. Nina was a wife, mother, housewife and partner with Louis as they ran Woods Creek Poultry Farm near Sultan. In her later life she secured a nursing degree and worked as a RN at Providence Hospital and Bethany Nursing until her retirement in 1985.

   Nina was artistic and especially enjoyed working with stained glass and was an expert at knitting. She provided stained glass lamps and other items along with sweaters and afghans for family members. Nina was also talented musically and served as organist/pianist for the Sultan Community United Methodist Church for a number of years.

She and Louis were always a generous, giving couple. They opened their home to 21 different foster children and provided a nurturing, supportive environment when it was needed. Along with Louis, Nina volunteered at World Concern for twelve years. They were likewise generous financially making regular donations to World Concerns, World Vision, their church and many other worthy causes. In addition many neighbors, friends and family received care, support, gifts and wonderful meals prepared by Nina.

After their retirement, Nina and Louis joined Mobile Missionaries Assistance Program. For six years they traveled in their RV and worked as volunteers in Mexico at orphanages, with the Papago Indians in AZ and many other locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. They also took time out to climb Mt. Olympus one summer. Their travels included the British Isles, Hawaii and Wisconsin, their home state.

Nina was preceded in death by Louis her husband, her sister Lucille Jones and her brother Bobby who passed away at age 5.

She is survived by her daughter Mary Baxter of Kent, her sons Stan (Kathe) of Redwood City, CA and James (Gail) of Everett, granddaughter Michelle, grandson Tracy  both of Portland, Todd Baxter (Joy) of Sammamish  and Tim Baxter of Denver, CO, Great Granddaughters Kate and Jill Baxter of Samammish.

She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Cremation is by Purdy and Kerr in Monroe.

A graveside gathering will be held at the Sultan Cemetery on December 1, 2012 at 11:00AM followed by a reception at 11:30 at the Sultan Community United Methodist Church at 212 Birch Street.

  

Mind-boggling Resort

Serena del Mar: Mind-boggling Resort in Cabo San Lucas.

Can you picture a quiet serene getaway in the midst of the noise and chaos of one of those major Mexican Resort Cities? I could not imagine that so our arrival at Serena del Mar was a pleasant surprise. Better said, we thought this was over the top, much more than we deserve. We felt out of our element. The staff made sure that didn’t last. From the greeting at the front desk to the service by waiters and bartenders to the concierge’s services, everyone was welcoming, friendly and exceedingly helpful. Every one of the young men and women running the resort had obviously been trained well in hospitality, the English language and much more.  I was a little disappointed by their fluent English since I enjoy speaking Spanish when in Mexico but I did have my opportunities from time to time.

Two infinity swimming pools lay outside our apartment’s door with water at a perfect temperature. The swimmer’s every refreshment need was met from the poolside bar. Whether we sat at poolside to work on our tans or lazily swam in the pools views in all directions were gorgeous. The famous Arch of Cabo San Lucas was visible in the distance. Below us was the surf crashing against the rocky shoreline and providing a small private beach perfect for snorkeling and swimming.

The food at the Serena del Mar was nearly perfect. Great breakfasts made to order, lunches anytime and special themes from seafood to Mexican for dinner. The Mexican dinner buffet was accompanied by Mexican Fiesta dancers in colorful traditional costumes. All meals were served outside, either in the tropical sun or under umbrellas providing needed shade at mid-day. Daytime temperatures during our stay ranged from daily highs of 90 degrees to 75 at night with not a cloud in the sky. For me those are perfect temperatures and conditions.

The accommodations also exceeded our expectations. Our suite with kitchen, living and bedroom opened directly onto an ample deck with a view that one only fantasizes about. The surf below crashing on the rocks lulled us to sleep each night. We prepared our own chicken dinner one night with local chicken and accouterments purchased at Wal-Mart. Yes, that’s correct. There was a Wal-Mart a mile or two down the road. After all many Americans now make their full-time or part-time homes in Cabo these days. They need Wal-Mart I guess.

One afternoon and evening we ventured by taxi to downtown Cabo San Lucas. It had been 30 years since I was last there. What a difference, throngs of people, American tourists, fisherman, lovers and much more. Restaurant after restaurant along the marina waterfront attempted to get our business. Everyone had a Corona or other drink in their possession. It was party town. Cabo was a small fishing village made up of a few dusty streets and a few American expats when I was last there. This was not our scene and we quickly found our way back to peace and serenity at Serena del Mar. Check it out at www.welkresorts.com/cabo-san-lucas.

Stan the Man