Obituary of Dylan Fitzgerald Walsh

Dylan Walsh was a dreamer. Although he lived his entire life on planet earth, he always spent some part of each day in other worlds. Often he held a secret smile hinting at hidden wonders only he could see. In this world, he maintained a child-like sense of wonder and frequently found beauty from a unique perspective where no one else did. If you were lucky, he would share his treasures with you. He was a proud and doting father. He deeply loved spending time with his children. He especially loved telling stories to them. He was a dramatic and powerful reader. His voice could entrance an audience and transport them to far away lands where hobbits find rings and wizards fight dragons. Dylan was also funny, quirky and quick to laugh. He had a way with words and always had a ready pun. He enjoyed witty banter and word games. In fact, he loved all games. He loved them so much he would play Monopoly to the fourth winner. His favorite times were with his family and friends, playing games. Camping, sailing, traveling and at home, Dylan always had some game with him, and he was ready to play. Born in Seattle on September 4, 1970, Dylan lived in various places in Washington State. As a child, he lived on a 20 acre farm in Van Zandt and attended Acme Elementary. He had many adventures in the woods of Random Canyon and developed an abiding appreciation of nature and its creatures. He always had an animal companion and often more than one. As a youth, he lived in Olympia and attended Capital High School, graduating in 1988. He was active in drama during high school. He enjoyed all creative arts and had a thoughtful appreciation of art. Personally, he was an exuberant dancer, an inventive sculptor and a meticulous artist. He earned a scholarship award for his artwork in junior high school. As an adult he lived in Olympia and Seattle. He earned an Associates of Technical Arts degree in Computer Programming from South Puget Sound Community College in 1994. Dylan traveled several times to Taiwan, and he also visited India, Mexico and Canada. Although, he was not particularly fond of traveling, he liked experiencing foreign cultures, new foods and different people. No matter where on earth he was, he liked to walk and explore the world around him. He usually carried a notebook to record his observations, thoughts and drawings. A patient and loving teacher, Dylan enjoyed spending time with each of his children helping them with their school work. At times in his life, he also taught English in Taiwan. All his students benefited from his creativity and his careful attention to them. The staff and students at English Bridge School remember him fondly, particularly for his gentle ways and creative reading. In addition to teaching, he worked for over a decade as a computer programmer for IBM on the Department of Social and Health Services ACES project. All his friends knew him as a loyal and trusting friend. He was a good listener and gave valuable, honest advice. Although he could be astonishingly wise and astute, he could also be maddeningly stubborn. Once he made up his mind, there was very little anyone could do to dissuade him. Also, he could be a very private person, keeping his own counsel, and only opening up after he developed trust. However, when he did open up, he would readily share his wonderful creativity and the beautiful secret world only he knew. Dylan was more wonderful than he ever knew. He was taken from us suddenly on December 20, 2008. He dreams now where none may follow. He is survived by his two daughters, Alexis and Miranda Walsh; his stepson, Jesse Boyd; his brother, Sean Walsh; his mother, Jo Sohneronne; his father, Jim Walsh, III; his uncles, John Walsh and Steve Mylroie; his aunts, Alice, Anne, and Dana; his grandparents, Jim Walsh, Charlotte Walsh and Willa Fassett; his beloved animal friends, Howie, Sptt, Abiyoyo and Pete; as well as numerous friends and other family. We are all left to wander the world without him. Friends and family are invited to a memorial service at the Sylvester Room in the Olympian Hotel (116 Legion Way SE, Olympia, WA) at 4 p.m. on Monday, December 29th to share stories and memories. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made for a marker and a willow tree to be planted at his grave to acct. #5686662 at Washington State Employees Credit Union or to the Humane Society or your local animal shelter to benefit those who have no choice. You are welcome to also visit Dylan’s Face Book Memorial page at the following link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=54740438432