Frederick Edwin Driscoll

Janet Guthrie Driscoll

Fred and Janet were devoted to each other, and left this life as they had lived the last 57 years: together. Fred was from West Peabody, Massachusetts and Janet, from Long Beach, California. He was 80 and she was 77 when they passed away on Saturday August 3, 2013.

They met at a dance in California while Fred was in the Navy, and was playing in the band. She was 19 and he was 22, and they married soon afterward.They had daughter Paula and son Jeff while living in college housing, while Fred was attending San Diego State University. This was a very happy time in their lives. In 1963 they moved to the Seattle area, following Fred’s job, and settled on Mercer Island. Son John was born in 1966 in Bellevue.

Fred had a degree in music, but worked most of his life in photography. He was a multi-talented man, able to play several instruments, and with a beautiful singing voice. In the 1960’s he played upright bass with a jazz combo in San Diego. In his youth he was also a talented dancer, in both ballet and tap. In later life he became a skilled carpenter, and was an amazing all-around fix-it man, who only needed duct tape and some wire to get something working again.

Janet was self-educated, a voracious reader, and keenly intelligent. She was a wonderful cook, and skilled gardener. In their early years of marriage, she was amazingly creative in turning thrift store finds into treasured pieces for the home. She was a talented writer, and had a humorous piece printed in the “Pacific” (Seattle Times) about the travails of a San Diego girl living in rainy Seattle.

They were independent thinkers, and fearless when it came to delving into unchartered territory. They had a house framed up on Mercer Island, and then finished it entirely themselves. They also took a foray into the restaurant business, opening a sandwich shop, which led to operating booths at the Evergreen and Yakima fairs for several years.

Janet loved the ocean, and summer camping trips to Kalaloch are warm memories for the kids. Fred would be up early brewing his beloved coffee on the Coleman stove in the fresh ocean air.

Fred and Janet retired to Bainbridge Island and treasured the freedom to be together every day, working on building and gardening projects. Their favorite times were spent with family.

They are survived by their children Paula (Mark), Jeff and John, and grandkids Megan, Ryan, Sean and Nora. Please sign the online Guest Book at: www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com.