With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Alvis “Elaine” (Woollard) Kiesel on February 11, 2025, at age 87 in Port Townsend, WA. Born May 16, 1937, in Kew, Melbourne, Australia, she was the beloved daughter of Alfred Earnest and Ivy Elizabeth Woollard.
Elaine met her husband, Michael Joseph Kiesel III, on a Melbourne beach while he was on military leave. They stayed in touch through letters until he proposed, and she left Australia to begin a new life with him. She embraced military life, moving often while raising her children. An avid seamstress and artist, Elaine poured love into her craft and family. She bravely faced dementia with strength and grace.
She was preceded in death by her husband and sister Ivy Joan (Woollard) Mellere. She is survived by her children, (Tony) Anthony Stephen Kiesel and Virginia Elizabeth (Kiesel) Leidholm, grandchildren, Stephen Kiesel (wife, Ashley), Joshua Green, Bradley Smith, Alex Smith (partner, Elena), Michael Smith, Connor Smith (wife, Reina) and Emma (Smith) Cronin (husband, Tielor), eleven great-grandchildren and her sister, Catherine Betty (Woollard) Johnson.
In lieu of a memorial service, a Mass in her honor will be held on April 28, 2025, at 12:00 PM at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Church in Port Townsend, WA. Friends and family may share memories and sign the guestbook at www.Bradley-Kosec.com.
