Lemley Chapel
Serving Sedro-Woolley &
All of Skagit County Since 1935
1008 Third Street
Sedro-Woolley, WA
360-855-1288
www.LemleyChapel.com
Lois W. Hillestead Memorial
Lois W. Hillestead Memorial

Lois W. Hillestead

Lois W. Hillestead

Thursday, June 2nd, 2011

Lois W. Hillestead, 82, a lifelong Sedro-Woolley resident, passed away at her home of natural causes on Thursday, June 2, 2011.

She was born on July 2, 1928 in Sedro-Woolley, the daughter of Forest & Clela (Gillis) Terwillegar.  She was the oldest of seven children.  She was raised and attended school in Sedro-Woolley.

In 1946 she was united in marriage to Jerry McAdow and together they had two children, Jerry Lee & Pamela.  Her husband Jerry passed away in 1953.  She later married Art Hillestead and they were together for over 50 years.  (You have heard of the Love Story, but this is a true love story of two people who really loved each other more than anyone can imagine).  At last, they are together forever.  They owned and operated Art’s Auto Wrecking for many years in Sedro-Woolley.  She also had her Class C-CDL and was a long haul truck driver for many years.

Lois went to Skagit Speedway every racing season with Art.  She played many different roles at Skagit Speedway such as making sure the concessions ran smoothly and keeping those officers happy with those homemade donuts.  Lois even raced a car in the Powder Puff Race at the track.  Lois and Art enjoyed traveling across the country looking for good deals on vehicles so they could sell them.

Anyone who knew Lois knows that there are several more stories that could be told.  Lois was a kind-hearted, nice, sweet and TUFF lady that never complained about anything.  Lois was a wonderful Mother, Grandmother, and Friend.  Lois was loved and will be missed very much.

Lois is survived by her children, Lee McAdow (Angela) and Pamela Robinson (James), all of Sedro-Woolley; a step-daughter, Carol Dietz of Bellingham; a sister Hazel Huff of Sedro-Woolley; two brothers, William Terwillegar (Val) of Mount Vernon and Ernie Terwillegar (Karen) of Sedro-Woolley.  Lois also has 12 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Jerry & Art; 2 sisters, Pearl Elder and Lila Terwillegar; a brother, Forest Terwillegar.

The family suggests memorials in memory of Lois be made to a charity of your choice.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 1:00 pm at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley with Rick Miles of Day Creek Chapel officiating.  Interment will follow at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery.

Guestbook

  • Chet Cory

    In the 30+ years I spent at Skagit Speedway (20 as publicist), visiting with Lois every weekend was a highlight. She would always bring food to the tower for the announcers and lap checkers. When I started broadcasting the races on radio, she still took care of me.
    No matter how bad things might be going, she would put a good spin on everything. She was a real sweetheart.
    Art was lucky to have her and he knew it!
    Rest in peace great lady!

  • Cindy Singleton Rust

    I send my condolences to the family, Lois was awesome, as a kid I spent time at the wrecking yard visiting my grandfather Loyd Holubar, who had been friends and worked there for years until he retired. He to is gone and I would like to think they are all swappiing stories up there. I watched her race in the powder puffs, Skagit Speedway was our second home with my brothers racing and step dad. who drove the 8 ball. We have many memories of both Lois and Art, together again…

  • Diane Harris

    Dear Auntie Lois.
    You are missed by so many. Your Daughter Pam and Sister Hazel miss you so. I just want you to know that you are in there thoughts daily. You were always so warm hearted and loved life and your family more than words can say. You touched so many hearts more than you ever new. I don’t think you ever realized just how many people lives you touched because you were such a special, giving, hard working, loving woman. Just know that you will always be in our hearts and on our minds Hope you are having a Happy Birthday with Uncle Art today. ( WE WILL ALL HAVE A SPECIAL TOAST TO YOU TODAY)!
    Special Love Always.
    Your Niece Diane.

  • Mo & Marty Pettit

    We are so sorry to hear your Dear Mother Lois passed.
    Pam, you are and have been the best Daughter any Mother could ask for. We have been part of your life for the last couple years , you cared for your Mother, not just once a month, but every day, you made time for your family, you made time for your friends, but most of all, you made the most time for your Mother, you cared for her 24/7/365.
    I lift my glass to Pam, and salute to a fine lady.
    Lois will be missed.

  • Rallye Auto Sales Inc

    In memory of a wonderful lady. We feel so blessed to have had her friendship for so many years. She definitely made her mark on the community in such a good way. She will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family.
    Doyle & Mary Guffie & all of us at Rallye Auto Sales

  • Daryl & Patty Deitz

    Daryl’s parents were good friends with Art & Lois ( Jr. & Wilsie Deitz), so he feels lucky to have grown up knowing them, and I feel lucky to have met them because of Daryl. Lois was so pretty and so sweet, she always made me feel like family. I loved the many stories she shared with us about years ago and all the fun times they had with Daryl’s parents, we laughed so hard !! We loved Lois and wish we had spent more time going to visit with her, but the memories we have are very precious and she’s one lady that went to heaven without a doubt!! If only the world had more people like “LOIS”, what a wonderful place it would be. With love to all of her dear family.

  • Karen Raper

    I have to smile when I think of Lois. She always had a smile for everyone and was happy to see everyone. She (and Art) are very special to me and will also be in my heart. I can still hear Art calling Mouses and Lois giving him hell. I miss you and love you!

  • Donnie & Dorothy Latting

    We were so sorry to hear about Lois. She was truly a caring lady , and Art and her was very good to me when I was growing up. . She will be truly missed

  • Gary & Betty Lamphiear

    Lee,Pam. & Jim
    Sorry to hear about you loss Lois well surely be missed by all who knew her, We send are love to you and your family.

  • Gary & Betty Lamphiear

    Lee Pam & Jim,

    Sorry to hear about your loss, Lois will surely be missed by all that knew her, We send our love and support to you and all your family

  • Christina (Hillestead) & Bob Slayton

    Aunt Lois Hillestead was full of life, love and laughter. She was a warm giving person, who left everyone who knew her richer for the experience.
    We will truly miss her.

  • Brenda (McAdow) Stoaks

    My Father Jim McAdow, is Lois’ first husband Jerry’s brother. That makes Lois my Auntie. I have MANY childhood memories of Aunt Lois and Uncle Art. They were wonderful people and Aunt Lois ALWAYS made sure that all of us kids in the family were WELL spoiled. She had a silent way of accomplishing small things and yet, when you herd her voice raise and say “ART!!”, you knew she ment businesss. LOL.

    Tough is but and understatement for Aunt Lois. Pretty much if a man could do it so could she. My favorite thing about her has always been her smile. Her smile was like a big ray of warm sunshine, that lit up the room or the sky which ever was the occasion.

    We went to many a races when I was small. Aunt Lois would always let me come in her ticket booth for a minute and sit on her wooden stool as she passed out tickets. She seemed to know just about every person comming in. And those she did not know….she made them feel welcome immediately.

    All who knew her…..loved her…..all who did not know her …..well they missed out knowing a wonderful, funloving, gracious woman.

    Wife, Mother, Sister, Grandmother, Aunt………….boy we were all so lucky….weren’t we?

    I too, toast to you Lois Hillstead!! Every time I see a chicken I will think of you, as I always have.

    Much love to Pam and Jerry Lee, and families.

  • Libby Gibbs

    Lois was such a kind and wonderful women and we loved her very much, She welcomed us into her famely. Claude who has passed on , Myself and our daughters Jodi and Holly will never forget Christmas at Art and lois,s house. God Bless that Big heart of hers. Libby

  • Pam & Jim Robinson

    As I sit here this sunny morning thinking about Mom and our every day Happy Hour and know she won’t be with us to enjoy the evening. We will make a toast to every day. And hope she is smiling down at us and knod that every thing is OK. So to all her friends and family lift your glass and salute what a fine lady, mother and friend. She would like it that way. She will always be in our thoughts at this time of day. It was her special time of day.

  • Bud and Brenda Ashe

    We had known her many years. She always had a beautiful smile and caring heart. She was a hard worker and would help anyone in need. She will be missed by all. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.

  • Marie & Jim Hyler

    So very sorry to hear about Lois ,she will surely be missed by all that knew her .