A Message from Carrie Goller
We are hoping you had a nice Christmas and wishing you a beautiful 2025.
Personally, we've had a steady stream of family and friends staying with us, and our youngest has moved back to Washington. It has been a bittersweet time, as we have experienced a significant loss personally and for our little gallery. Our treasured friend and gallery artist extraordinaire, Max Hayslette passed away peacefully on December 21, in the loving care of Martha & Mary Health and Rehab Center in Poulsbo.
Max, at 95, had been suffering from multiple health issues, and it was clear his health was declining. We knew at the December 14th Second Saturday Artwalk (he always faithfully attended to sign posters, eagerly anticipating dinner and martinis afterward until recently) that it would be his last Artwalk. We knew at our dinner afterward in Poulsbo that it would be our last dinner out. I believe he knew too.
In the following days, Max fell twice and was in and out of the ER. The decision was made for him to enter care at Martha & Mary, and soon Hospice was called to keep him comfortable.
From the moment we met, Max and I clicked. I was awed and inspired by his tremendous talent and wisdom, which he generously shared as we grew closer. Max gave me fatherly advice, admonished, encouraged, and guided me. He was my mentor. He spent a month teaching me his methods, and after a couple of months, when I wasn't producing work in his style, he asked, "Carrie, why aren't you painting any Hayslettes?" I replied, "Because I'm not Max Hayslette."
We communicated nearly every day and met for dinner weekly, either at our house or one of his favorite restaurants (one even named a martini after him). During Covid, we gathered outdoors for a meal or brought meals to Max and his late partner, Don at their apartment. With my sweet husband Jeff always facilitating (who Max also adored), we traveled to seven countries together, went on cruises and also on many "field trips," including one to the ends of the earth in Oregon to purchase an embossing press he was sure we would use constantly (I have hilarious videos of him teaching me how to operate it).
Max is now reunited with his beloved partner, Don. He requested no services. Anyone wishing to honor him could contribute to Martha & Mary Health & Rehab, where he had a long history of philanthropy. He arranged for future sales of his work to benefit them as well.
Max Hayslette was loved by so many. He was a gifted artist, a gentleman, and a renaissance man. In the words of Alexander Pope, he was my guide, philosopher, and friend. How I wish we had one more phone call, one more dinner, one more Artwalk, one more "field trip" together with dear Max. He was family.
Warmly, Carrie |