Louise Victoria Easterling

Louise Victoria Easterling, 91, born on December 14, 1926, in Tacoma, Washington, passed away August 24, 2018. She resided in Garden Grove, California at the time of her passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Cypress, California.
Louise was the youngest of six children born to Harold and Hulda Sullivan. She was nicknamed "Babe". Her father Harold was a laborer, born in Iowa, his family arrived early in this country from Ireland. Louise's mother immigrated from Finland when she was only a child and settled in Lake Ozette Washington. Hulda worked in the canning factory and raised animals on their farm.
Louise often spoke of the farm and the wisteria trees that lined the drive. The cherry trees and the times she would dig up potatoes with her dad. She was a daddy's girl. She kept a small portrait of her father near by and at the end she wanted that with her as a comfort.
She was married twice. Both her husbands were World War II combat veterans and both served in the U.S. Navy. Louise voluteered at the local U.S.O. during the war. She had two daughters and three grandchildren. She was also fortunate to have four great-grandchildren. Her great-granddaughter carries her name, Sophie Louise. Nice tribute. A strong athlete in her own right she could ice skate with the best of them. I recall a summer at the public pool, Louise taught all willing neighborhood kids how to swim! She had a dancer's body at age 91. Baseball was her favorite spectator sport and even in the O.C. she cheered for Dodgers, Joc Petersen was her favorite player.
Louise had too many interests to count. I heard a friend of mine refer to her as "a walking encyclopedia", what a nice comment! She operated her own businesses and enjoyed belonging to the San Gabriel Business Association. From her dance studio, Shalimar, she taught middle-eastern dancing. Yes, she was teaching others the "belly dance" and had a troupe of dancers that would perform at various venues. She had a small stylish "boutique" where she had clothing and fashion accessories. Business woman, mother, dancer, decorator, poet, and many more. Auntie Babe was our own Auntie Mame.
Louise also loved to travel and did so often. Her favorite destination was Paris, France. The museums and the richness of life lived out in the open, appealed to her. The cafe atmosphere that lets you linger until the bottle is dry.
Master "fashionista" Louise loved to dress up for events and always looked stylish beyond the current fashion. Move over Edith Head, she could design and sew like a professional. She loved the movies and I remember how much she admired Elizabeth Taylor. You could say that Elizabeth was a mentor to her, without the official relationship!
Louise marched door-to-door for the March of Dimes. Her favorite charity was Saint Jude's Hospital for Children. She also gave to the Cystic Fibrosis Association.
She never lost the curiosity that kept her learning new things. Fearless and frugal. A child of the "Greatest Generation".
Humble beginnings made for a very smart, very hip lady, and you may ask those in the know, they will elaborate on her many talents and charms.
As Dinah Washington once said "If they asked me, I could write a book".
A tiger in her own right, she loved animals and people. She disliked snakes and spiders. She loved a good conversation with a good friend and dancing.
Her favorite song was "Here's that Rainy Day" and I know she never wanted to leave the party, but she slipped out to reinvent herself. She believed in God and reincarnation. She lived in Orange county for over twenty years and managed property there until her 8th decade. Brookdale Garden Grove was her final home.
Well lived, well loved. Farewell until we shall meet again.
She will be cremated after the funeral and join other family members at Forest Lawn Cypress.
We are grateful to all those helping care for our beloved Louise.
Thank you!










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