Treva L. Carter, 96, of Oak Harbor, Wash., ended her earthly journey in the company of family and dear friends Nov. 29, 2014.
Treva Lois Shultz was born Sept. 12, 1918, in Wabash, Ind., to parents Clarence F. and Ruth E. Shultz. Her parents were farmers, as were most of those in the community where she spent her youth. Treva’s passions were art and fashion, with no inclination toward life on a farm. And so, upon graduation from high school in 1936, she departed Indiana for the West Coast, accompanied by her mother, to pursue her dreams. Thus began an incredible life’s journey, starting with a cross-country train trip to San Diego, where she resided with an uncle and worked for a French dressmaker. Under strict orders not to fraternize with sailors, she happened one evening to meet a sailor, and, as she described him, he was the most handsome man she had ever seen.
Treva married Lester D. “Nick” Carter Oct. 7, 1942, during the dark days of World War II. Nick was a carrier sailor, and Treva soon found herself in the perennial role of a sailor’s wife, awaiting his return home from combat in the Pacific. The Carters’ post-war assignments took the family, which soon included children Christine and James, to duty stations around the world, including Kwajalein Island in the Pacific, and ultimately to Whidbey Island, where they lived on Ebey’s Prairie and then in Oak Harbor. Along the way, Treva obtained a degree in art and costume design from the University of San Diego, and she was well known as a most talented and prolific artist.
Treva was, first and foremost, the ideal Navy wife, and Nick was truly her soul mate. “NickandTreva” was, in fact, one word. She was a loving mother to Christine and James and adored her grandchildren.
In a word, Treva Carter was elegant — in appearance, in heart and soul, and in spirit. And she defined the word gracious. To all who were privileged to know her, she was a true and welcoming friend, an energetic worker for the causes in which she believed, and she was strongly anchored by her faith. Her radiant smile set the tone for any gathering, and made countless friends and family members instantly welcome in her home.
Treva was, at various times over the years, an active member of the Oak Harbor First United Methodist Church, the Navy League of the United States, the Military Officers Association of America, the NAS Whidbey Island Officers Wives Club, the A-3 Skywarrior Association and the Friends of the Library. Always active and involved in her community, she is credited with creating the Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival, an event which celebrated its 50th anniversary this past summer.
Treva was preceded in death by her parents; by her brothers, Ralph and Jack; by her beloved husband of 65 years, Nick; and by her son, James. She is survived by daughter Christine Broder, granddaughter Julie Broder and grandson Gregory, of Shelbyville, Ken.; by granddaughter Jayme Carter, of Bellingham; and granddaughter Ivy Carter and grandson Jak Carter, of Magdalena, N.M. She is also survived by the countless persons whose lives she touched on her journey and who were privileged to call her friend.
A service celebrating Treva’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Oak Harbor First United Methodist Church, with Pastor Dave Johnson officiating. A reception will follow the service, in Centennial Hall at the church. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel. The family suggests donations to the Nick and Treva Carter Scholarship Fund, in support of furthering education in mathematics and the arts. Donations may be made at any Whidbey Island Bank Branch.
