Carol Mae Rayborn

Carol Mae Rayborn

Carol Mae Rayborn –loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a firecracker of a human being lost her courageous battle with cancer on Friday, July 17, 2015 in Friday Harbor, WA. During her peaceful passing she was surrounded by family at her home. She was 78.

Carol was born November 6, 1936, in Sheboygan, WI, to loving parents, Walter ( Yetslavas Dudonis ) & Emma (Mueller) Jekenewicz. Carol had many wonderful memories of Sheboygan where she grew up with her brother John “Jack” Jekenewicz, her cousin Jim Nischik (Bonnie), Mary Lou Westerbeke (Rich) and high school friend Darlene Raml.

At the age of 19 she married the love of her life, Bill “Wilbur” D. Rayborn. Bill whisked her out west to Bellingham, WA. This is how Carol got the nickname “Maudy West”. They made their home on Civic Circle, where they added 3 children to the family; Terry “Sis”, Jeff “Buford” and Suzan “Red”. Wilbur and Maudy built their first house on Mcleod Rd, where they finished raising their children.

Carol loved being a homemaker; she was a wonderful hostess and ENTERTAINER to many friends and family. No one ever left Carol’s home hungry or sad, you left full and laughing! All were welcome to our home and offered her favorite cocktail a Vodka Martini (Dirty) straight up. Carol was a very strong special lady. She was always looking her best, and took pride in her home and family. She was someone you could count on when you needed a friend. She would help you see things in a different light, while making you crack up laughing. Even when dealing with her diagnosis, she could still crack jokes and keep everyone else uplifted. She definitely had a gift with her sense of humor. She always gave more than she took back.

We will miss you , Sweet Caroline.

Wilbur restored a Seabird Yawl sailboat when the kids were little and Carol spent many years with the family on that sailboat, “The Maudy West”. It was quite the show how that family of five would live, on that 30ft sailboat, for weeks on end. Many wonderful memories where made crabbing, fishing, camping and sailing always new adventures. The family sailed through the Gulf Islands and San Juan Islands when they could, spending a weekend or month at a time. When they weren’t on their sailboat they would spend time camping in their camper “Wilbur’s Wheel’s”, meeting up with friends and family. Once the kids were grown, and Wilbur had retired, the couple went across the United States in their camper. One memorable trip in that camper was to Alaska with loving friends Walt and Margaret Rauch.

Every so often Carol and Bill would travel back to Sheboygan, WI to visit family. And one of the first things Carol would have to have was a Steak Sandwich on a Sheboygan hard roll.

Upon their retirement the couple built a log home on Friday Harbor and they lived happily there for the last 26 years.

Carol is survived by her husband, Bill D. Rayborn of 58 years of marriage. Children; Terry Stanley (her husband, Ray Stanley), Jeffrey Rayborn and Suzan Rayborn. Grandchildren; Lindsay Trottner, her father David Trottner, Morgan Rayborn, Brandon Erickson, Jessica Erickson and their father, Robert Erickson. Greatgrandchildren; Lincoln Brocker and Dakota Brocker, their father Danny Brocker. In addition to her immediate family Carol loved her nieces, nephews, their spouses and children.

She had many loving memories with her sisterinlaw, Julie Jekenewicz of Sheboygan, WI and her children; Gina (Don) DeCou, Trish (Dave) Anderson, Troy (Jodi) Jekenewicz, and their children.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents and an infant brother, Walter Jekenewicz Jr.

The family wishes to send a very special thank you to our wonderful and compassionate Private Caregivers; DeAnna Osborn, Julie Ross and Kim Levasheff, also known as the “Dream Team”, for their dedicated care and family support in Carol’s final days.

We would like to thank Dr. William Gunderson, RN Rose and Registrar Julie of Peace Island Medical Center for everything they did for Carol and the family. The family would also like to thank the staff at Hospice of the Northwest. Especially Christine, Carol’s RN, Trish, Carol’s Aide and Sarah Carol’s Medical Social Worker, for their quality care and support.

Carol will always be remembered by her charismatic personality, laughter and the capability of being silly. There was never a dull moment with Carol, she always had everyone laughing. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Memorial gifts may be made to: Hospice of the Northwest, 227 Freeway Dr. Suite A, Mt. Vernon, WA 98273 in Loving Memory of Carol Rayborn.

Per Carol’s request there will be no funeral services, condolences may be sent to: Rayborn Family, PO Box 1182, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

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