It was on a lovely Thursday evening, just before sunset in late August, 1956, in the beautiful town of Vallejo, California, that Alfred Variz and his then wife, Janett, gave birth to an adorable baby girl named Larenda Ann Variz, which quickly became “Rindy” to all who knew her. Not much was shared of her childhood in California and by sixth grade her parents had divorced. Her mother had moved to Washington with her new husband, Bob Garrett, and oldest daughter, Chriss. It wasn’t until the following year that Rindy would leave Vallejo behind, including her younger sister, Becky, and her father to move to Grays Harbor, where she would remain for the rest of her days.
Washington was a new beginning for Rindy. She adopted her stepfather’s name going by Larenda “Rindy” Garrett until her wedding day, when he gave her away. She married Jonathan Stephen Shumate at the Faith Tabernacle Church in Aberdeen, Washington, on May 25, 1974, and graduated from J.M. Weatherwax Aberdeen High School a month later. They had two children while together: a son, Jonathan Stephen Shumate Jr., and a daughter, Janessa Sharlene Shumate. They separated a few years after that, in 1989, which finalized in divorce a few years later. Shortly after, Rindy gave birth to her third and final child, Marinda Shyanne McLaughlin, to the late Harold “Mark” McLaughlin. She would never remarry but instead put all her time and energy into her children and work.
She held many positions at a variety of businesses on the Harbor, but will be most remembered for her time spent while employed at Grays Harbor Country Club. She held many job titles while working there, and met many wonderful people during her time. Some would say she was the backbone there, as a multifaceted employee with the most incredible work ethic; she could do just about anything. She enjoyed the creative freedom this job allowed her as well as the incredible chance to hire and work side by side with her youngest daughter for a few years and even both, on a few occasions. Others may remember her from; the Salvation Army, where she was assistant manager, which she loved because she enjoyed a fun and thrifty find, or more recently from Walmart as a cashier. To those who didn’t know Rindy, she was an avid collector of unique antiques and trinkets. However, she always had a particular fondness for anything Coca Cola or Betty Boop related. She had an amazing talent for presentation and holiday design and was wonderful at holiday baking and crafting, however, she never gave herself enough credit for her amazing creative abilities. Those who knew her would describe Rindy as being a well-organized, friendly, helpful and independent woman, beautiful both inside and out, whose smile could brighten any room.
Rindy passed away late on All Hallows Eve, 2020 underneath the glow of a blue moon, that was just as rare and beautiful as she was.
Her remains have been taken care of by Harrison Family Mortuary and per her wishes, she will be made into jewelry and beautiful art to be shared among her family.
She is preceded in death by her sister, Becky Sanchez; mother, Janett Garrett; and father Alfred Variz. Larenda is survived by her three children, John Shumate Jr, Janessa Shumate and Marinda McLaughlin; her eight grandchildren, Jonathan the 3rd, James, Andrew, Mathew, Kyler, Samantha, Stephen and Jayven; as well as her three great-grandchildren, Jonathan the 4th, Julian; and a soon to be great-granddaughter set to arrive in just a few weeks. She is also survived by her step-father, Bob Garrett Sr.; her sister, Chriss Johnson; and brother Bob Garrett Jr. in Alaska.
Due to the pandemic, any services for Larenda will be put on hold until further notice.
