Coral Lee Chalice, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, died Tuesday, February 6th, after a 16-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born July 20, 1943, to LeRoy & Adella (Olson) Kastner, Coral was raised and attended school in Bellingham. As a child, she ran the aisles of the American and Mt. Baker Theatres, where her father was manager. Her mother worked full-time as a supervisor at the phone company, so Coral spent a lot of time with her grandmother, who had emigrated from Norway and lived in the family home, and her older sister, Marlene. Hers was a close-knit, hard-working family.

From early childhood, Coral and Marlene were artistic roller skaters, an activity Coral enjoyed up until the final weeks of her life. She skated competitively, winning numerous state, regional and, ultimately, national titles, including her 5th place finish at the U.S. Nationals in her division this past August. In her youth, she competed in freestyle, figures and pairs events. In later years, she focused on both solo and partner dance skating. In addition, she was a coach, mentoring many skaters of all ages. She was admired for her grace and charisma on the floor. Through skating, Coral made countless friendships she treasured her entire life.

A devoted mother and grandmother, Coral enjoyed sewing and knitting for her family and friends. She crafted elaborate skating costumes as well as intricate Irish sweaters. Having grown up in a musical family, she had a lovely voice and enjoyed singing in the church choir and also participating in community theater productions. A voracious reader, she read hundreds, perhaps thousands, of novels. Among her favorite authors were Agatha Christie, Jane Austen, Daphne du Maurier, Henry James, Anne Perry and Alexander McCall Smith.

She and her husband, Don, were avid animal lovers. Over the years they adopted numerous rescue cats and dogs for whom they provided a loving home. She eschewed her husband's profession, mathematician, and his favorite pick-up line, "I am a mathematician" (which only worked once). Although she also eschewed academia in general, she came within two courses of her BA in English.

Coral is survived by her husband, Don Chalice, with whom she spent over 30 wonderful years; daughter and her fiancé, Piper Lee Eger & Michael Rickert; daughter, Holly Graham; son and daughter-in-law, Kevin & Lynne Graham; stepsons, John and Mark Chalice; grandchildren, Kyle Cleveland, Austin Clevenger, Christopher Eger, Mason Eger, and Emma Graham; sister and brother-in-law, Marlene & Jerry Bruland; brothers-in-law, Robert and Jerry Chalice; sister-in-law, Donna Ceilish; former son-in-law, Randall Eger; niece and nephew, Jami Giammusso and Alan Bruland; and cousins Sheldon, Benny, Loren and Bonnie Banks; John Dauphiny and Lori Dauphiny. She was preceded in death by a special cousin, Julianna (Judie) Dauphiny.

Her friends and family were inspired by the courage with which she faced her illness. She had a positive and cheerful demeanor to the end, comforting her family who were by her side throughout the final days and maintaining her quick wit and sense of humor.

A memorial reception to celebrate Coral's life will be held on Thursday, February 22nd, 1:00 p.m. at the Squalicum Boathouse at Zuanich Point Park, 2600 N. Harbor Loop Drive, in Bellingham. While Coral had come to peace with her diagnosis and chose to focus on her gratitude for a full and rich life, she was deeply saddened at the thought of children having to face similar illnesses. With this in mind, she requested that memorial donations be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, in lieu of flowers.