Sharon Kaye Riebe (Villers), longtime Arlington resident, passed away on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, a few weeks after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

Sharon, or Kaye, as many knew her, was born in Colville, WA on November 7, 1941 and was raised in Centralia, WA. After graduating from high school, she attended beauty school and went on to be a beautician in Mukilteo, WA.

Kaye married Ed Riebe in 1965. After their 2nd child was born, the Riebe family moved to Arlington. Kaye worked at raising their children on the family farm, and helping Ed run his horseshoeing business.

Shortly before Ed passed in 1986, Kaye started her career at Boeing, working at the Everett plant in the Completed Records department. She retired after 20 years at Boeing, in 2006.

In life, Kaye had a quick smile and a great sense of humor. She enjoyed spending time with friends, family and pets, a good meal, traveling, reading, sewing, trips to the casino, watching the Mariners, and a good cup of coffee.

She is survived by her three children: Edgar (Lisa) Riebe, of West Seattle, Cheryl (Tim) Simmons of Bothell and Pete (Elizabeth) Riebe of San Diego, CA, and three older sisters: Audrey Smith of Rochester, WA, Letha Swenson of St. Louis, MO, and Karen McLellan of Westport, WA. She also left behind seven grandchildren: Eston, Jonah, Emily, Cate, Samuel, Wyatt and Quinn, and her beloved cat, Tom.

A celebration of Kaye¹s life will be held on Sunday, June 14 at the University of Washington Bothell Campus North Creek Events Center at 3 p.m.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance PO Box 19023 Seattle, WA 98109 or Purrfect Pals 230 McRae Rd NE, Arlington, WA 98223.