Michele Ann (Casey) Trepus, known as Ann, Casey, Mom, G-Ma, Grandma and Great-Grandma, was born on April 2, 1941, in Seattle, WA. She was the youngest in the Casey family of the Mt Baker District. Her father, Melvin Casey, was the Lieutenant at Seattle Fire Station 30 and son of an Irish immigrant. The pride of the Irish has been passed down through the generations. Her Mother, Mildred (Mather) Casey, was a nurse at Swedish Medical Center and sadly passed, from injuries sustained from a car accident, when Mom was only 11. Mom had one older sister, Patricia Casey, that she is survived by. On Halloween at the age of six, Mom, was severely burned when her rain coat caught fire from a Jack-o’-lantern’s candle. She was left with disfiguring scars on her hands and face. Despite her permanent injuries, Mom never let the accident get in her way. She taught us kids to look past anybody’s disabilities. She was outgoing and always had a solid group of friends throughout school. As a 1959 graduate of Franklin High School, she volunteered on their reunion committee. It was important for her to have and keep connections. Her ability to build and connect communities was a useful skill that dominated her life.

Mom met David Trepus on a blind date set up by friends. As a divorcee with two children, Mom found a connection with Dave. She and the first two of us, Lisa and Steve, followed Dave to Alamogordo, NM and were the founding members of “The Trepus Tribe.” From here, the tribe grew and the family became more mobile. Dad’s job with the Boeing Missile Program kept us on the road. Niki and Colleen were the next additions to the tribe while the family. As the missile program moved to the next stop in Utah, the youngest, Maureen, was added. Mom was our homemaker and part of the glue that kept not only our family but the other Boeing Missile families together. We were a nomadic group, a mobile neighborhood. Mom made sure we left our marks and had fun. Humor was the best coping mechanism that Mom taught all of us.

Boeing took our family to many places and Mom made sure we showed up as our authentic, crazy selves. One such place was Sturgis, SD. At that time Sturgis did not have a parade as part of their famous motorcycle rally. In 1973 she and other Boeing men and women drove from camp to camp, with their loud speakers, and riled up the first parade through town. Between demolition derby, bowling leagues, card groups, Boeing wives’ luncheons, neighborhood water fights, Halloween face painting, rubber band fights with passing motorists, and counter acting racism, she kept things real, light hearted, and loving. Friends were family and family was love. Because of her “The Trepus Tribe” will always be remembered in the hearts and minds of the few and many we have encountered. To this we say thank you Mom. We miss you now and always. You built us strong and capable.

Ann has left behind her husband Dave; five children: Lisa (Michael), Steve, Niki (John), Colleen, and Maureen (Paul); three honorary children: Steve, Curt, and Laurie; 15 grandchildren: Jared (Keith), Ralynn (Daniel), Michael, Adrian, Casey (Ethan), Nathan, Gabe (Bryanna), Mikaylah (Chance), Hannah, Shannon (Brandi), Daniel, Katie (Amity), Neal, Matt, and Garrett; and nine great-grandchildren.