Serena Ray Mone Criswell

June 21, 1943 – June 8, 2008

Serena Criswell died at home on Tuesday, June 8, 2008. She was born in California and moved to Washington with her husband, Stan Criswell, and became a lifelong resident of Sultan, Wash.

She leaves behind her son, Stacy Ray Criswell and wife Bobbi, children Jazmine, Tristin and Ashtonn; son Stanley Vern Criswell, children Ethan and Sidney; mother, Pat Henrickson; sister, Cleone and husband Ron La’Branch; all of Ferndale, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews; and special friend, Sherry (Woods) Ezell. She also leaves behind her brother’s children whom she raised, Nina, Twyla, and James Smith.

Serena was an avid doll collector and well known on the Internet circle of collectors. She was enthusiastic and collected to the end. In the early 1970s she was very involved and was an important and key figure for the Sky Valley Racing Association. It was another of her passions.

She began working career in Washington at the Fred Meyer store in Everett, quickly rising to department head. She also worked in the timber industry as a log tagger, affectionately known as “Tagger”, and as a consultant for Fashion Two Twenty. Later she worked for the Department of Corrections, appointed to Sergeant before retiring in 1995, due to an incurable lung disease.

Her children were very important to her and it showed. She participated with her children in Quarter midgets, Tai Kwon Do, Rainbow girls and sports. She gave it all and then some, as a single parent, to give her children everything they possibly wanted to pursue. She backed them and made sure it happened. She was a true friend and a loving “giving” mom. If she was your friend or cared for you, you had a lion in your corner. She lived modestly, but if you were in a pinch, Serena would come to the rescue. She always did.

A special thank to niece, Debbie Mercer for her help, Sherry Criswell, who took care of her 24 hours a day during her last days, and her young son, Stacy and wife Bobbi for their constant care and concern for her over the last few years.

A celebration of Serena’s life was held at noon on Saturday, June 21, 2008 (her birthday), at the New Life campus, 23515 Old Owen Rd, Monroe, Washington.

Please sign the guestbook at www.heraldnet.com/obituaries.