Charity Care, a financial assistance program at Jefferson Healthcare, is the recipient of a $5,000 grant from the Teri McComas Memorial Fund. The award is designated to assist patients seeking breast cancer screenings and care through the local Mammography Center. “It’s grants like these that help to ensure that no one is ever turned away from Jefferson Healthcare due to inability to pay or lack of insurance coverage, and that all of our neighbors can access the care they need,” said Kris Becker, Executive Director of the Jefferson Healthcare Foundation. Established in January 2020 by Bruce McComas, Teri’s husband of 46-years, the memorial fund honors her lifelong commitment to improving the health and well-being of women and girls in Jefferson County, and ensuring that residents undergoing cancer treatments have unrestricted access to care. Teri, who passed away in October 2016, was devoted to helping people throughout her life. She was active in the Presbyterian Church, the local PEO Chapter, and was a member of the first Jefferson Community Foundation Giving Circle called “Women Who Care”. She also helped start the Fund for Women and Girls and served on the Port Townsend Main Street Board for four years. She was known to serve with grace, charm, and an infectious smile.  “Teri was such a caring person. She always thought of others first. I want her spirit of caring to live on forever and this fund is one way to ensure that happens,” Bruce said. The Fund began with…

Gary loved people and parties. He loved houses, especially kitchens, and art and music. And boy did he love his dogs. But, most of all he loved Jerry Haynes, his partner, with whom he shared 32 years of his life. These men straddled a time during which they installed two phone lines in their home and never dared answer the other’s line, to a time when there is nearly universal acceptance of gay marriage in many countries. Jerry died very suddenly 17 years ago. Gary never fully recovered from that great loss. Nonetheless, he continued to host parties and to volunteer for many local nonprofits. Gary relished cooking for others. He hosted countless dinner parties, holiday gatherings and fundraisers. He even created his own family cookbook with the help of his niece, Kaye. He was a prodigious fundraiser for Centrum and was chosen as the first ever “Centrum Champion of the Year” in 2015. He served on the boards of the Northwest Maritime Center, the Jefferson County Historical Society, Advisory Board of Centrum, and was a member of City of Port Townsend Historical Preservation Committee. He was an active supporter of Habitat for Humanity, Jefferson County Animal Shelter, Food Bank and other community nonprofits. Gary was born in Missoula, Montana, on February 26, 1939. He graduated with a degree in architecture from Montana State University. Gary died in his beloved home on the bluff overlooking the Strait of Juan De Fuca on February 5, 2020. He worked…