Jobyna Veronica Carpenter
June 15, 1920 – December 7, 2015
Jobyna Veronica Carpenter passed away on Dec. 7 at the blessed age of 95. She was born on June 15, 1920, to Job Leo George Meyer and Mary Arena Altenbaugh Meyer in Ballard, a suburb of Seattle. She began a treasured and lifelong journey in music at an early age, starting with piano and progressing to the clarinet and saxophone. Jobyna played solo clarinet in the University of Washington Concert Band, the Women’s Seattle Symphony, Seattle Park Bands, and aboard the Alaska Steamships. During the war years she worked at Boeing Aircraft but then returned to playing music in a 15-piece all girl band at Seattle’s night club, “The Show Box,” and even started a five-piece all-girl band called “The Rhythm Girls” with her sister, Yvonne. In 1951, Jobyna and her first husband, Art Carlson, purchased the Suquamish Lumber and Hardware store. With her second husband, Ron Carpenter, she traveled to many countries and “fifth wheeled” all over the United States. Jay and Ron were founding members of the North Kitsap SAMs trailer club and also enjoyed dancing in a formal dance club. Jobyna was preceded in death by her parents, by her first husband Arthur C. Carlson, by her second husband Ronald W. Carpenter, and by her brothers, Wells and Gwynn Meyer. She is survived by her sister, Yvonne McAllister, and her sons Dennis A. (Kathlyn) Carlson and Duane H. (Carolyn) Carlson, as well as seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. She is also survived by her niece Victoria (Ralph) Leitner, whose steadfast love and support throughout Jobyna’s later years can not begin to be measured in words. Thank you, Vicki.
Whether making music, feeding the birds, gardening flowers, loving her grandchildren or screaming at the Seahawks and Mariners when they weren’t winning, Jobyna was an example of living life to the fullest, seeing each day as a blessing and using her gifts and talents to make others happy. Thank you for being the example of what it means to never give up on life, to always stay on your feet, and to be active.
Jobyna was a treasure to so many, a rare jewel with perseverance to live well in her soul.
A funeral service will be held on Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. at The Stone Chapel Poulsbo Mortuary in Poulsbo. Friends may attend a viewing beginning at 9 a.m. prior to the service. She will be laid to rest at Washelli Cemetery in North Seattle at 10 a.m. on Dec. 15. An online memorial can be seen at www.poulsbomortuary.com.
