Glynes Tabach

January 19, 1931 — December 6, 2020

Glynes (Thurston) Tabach passed away Dec. 6, 2020, at the age of 89. She was born Jan. 19, 1931, to Glen and Minnie (Smith) Thurston in Sumas, Wash.

In 1947, she married Lyle “Swede” Norman. They had two children, Don and Gwen. The marriage ended in 1950.

In 1952, Glynes married Henry “Hank” R. Tabach, who is also known around town as “Toby.” They lovingly created a family with Don and Gwen, soon after adding Robert “Bob” and five years later, Kimberly “Kim.”

Glynes worked for Payless Foods for 21 years as a meat wrapper and later as a cashier.

In 1970, Hank and Glynes purchased Sealeys Tavern in Coupeville, later naming it Toby’s Tavern. Hank loved it, Glynes not so much.

After selling Toby’s in 1980, Hank and Glynes created Toby’s Country Catering, through which they met many great, long-lasting friends. No one was a stranger to Hank and Glynes. In 1995, after selling their family home in Greenbank, Hank and Glynes moved to Lake Havasue, Ariz. Hank passed away suddenly in 2004 and Glynes remained in Arizona before returning to Coupeville in 2011 to be closer to her family.

Glynes was the glue that held the family together when Hank made many deployments while serving 20 years in the U.S. Navy. She had to be both mother and father. She taught her children to have strong moral character and huge ethics. She loved her children and grandchildren immensely and they loved her. She was definitely the strongest woman in the world, and she will be greatly missed.

Glynes is survived by her children: Don Tabach (Pat) of Coupeville; Gwen Hannon of Poulsbo; Kim Tresslar (Mike) of Coupeville; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and 18 great-great-grandchildren, with one on the way. Glynes is preceded in death by her parents, Glen and Minnie; her sister, Arlene Holz; her beloved husband of 53 years, Hank; and their son, Bob Tabach.