Charlene Mae Mccaslin

Loving mother, grandmother, and friend, Charlene Mae Harris-McCaslin passed away on October 11th, 2016 at the age of 91.
Charlene was born an only child to devoted parents Charles and Lula Harris on June 20th, 1925, in Seattle, WA. When she was in the second grade, she moved with her parents to the Skagit area. Raising minks, fishing, running from cougars, and fighting off bears are just some of the countless stories she would recall from growing up in the wilderness. In the eighth grade, Charlene left her parents’ home and returned to Seattle as an independent woman, with the intention of pursuing a higher education. She made a living working in a florist shop, and was hired out on occasion as a singer for special events. She was thankful for the people who took her in and supported her.
World War II began, and Charlene entered the Cadet Nursing program through the University of Washington and Virginia Mason Hospital. It was during this time that she met her husband, Robert “Bob” Leroy McCaslin, and they married six months later. It was a short honeymoon, as two days after the wedding Bob received orders and was shipped overseas for a two year tour. Charlene used their time apart to finish her training, and began work as a registered nurse. When Bob returned from the war, the couple remained in Seattle and started a family. The couple had a son, Charles D. McCaslin, and eight and a half years later, Charlene gave birth to their second son, Robin L. McCaslin. They relocated to Walla Walla, where they started Blue Streak Acres, an appaloosa ranch. Eventually, they completed their family with the adoption of their daughter, Marlene T. McCaslin.
Charlene worked as a RN in various hospitals and outpatient facilities during her career. In addition, she was a devoted mother and grandmother and she spent endless hours teaching her children and grandchildren music, ceramics, crafts and horsemanship. She also took in foster children and foreign exchange students throughout the years.
Charlene spent her twilight years at the Odd Fellows of Washington in Walla Walla, where she participated in many activities and developed a deep love for bocce ball. She was a devoted Christian and lifelong member of the Nazarene Church, and would occasionally attend more than one service each Sunday.
Charlene is survived by her sons Charles D. McCaslin (Pamela) and Robin L. McCaslin, her daughter Marlene T. Nichols (Mark), former daughter-in-law Karen Casey, granddaughters Shannon Williams (Luke), Megan Gibbard (Corey), Erin Cross (Milo), Angela Munoz (Joel), and Stefani Nichols. Great grandchildren include Rayahna and Rylan Williams, Claire, Eli, and Asher Gibbard, Eva and Max Munoz, and Payton Nichols. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Robert “Bob” McCaslin, and grandson Nicholas P. Isitt.
A public memorial service will be held on October 29, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at Amazing Grace Church of the Nazarene in Walla Walla, WA. Pastor Ronald Alexander and Pastor Paul Willis will officiate. Memorial donations can be made to Amazing Grace Church of the Nazarene and the Walla Walla Valley Cowboy Church.