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Thursday, November 30, 2023 — Shelton-Mason County Journal - Page 31
Xinh Dwelley
Xinh Dwelley passed away on November 17 surrounded
by friends and family after a courageous battle against
cancer. Xinh was 72 years-old.
Born in South Vietnam, she began her culinary journey
at 15 as a chef in a US. Army hall. In 1970, at the age of
19, Xinh married an Americansoldier and immigrated to
Olympia with her young son, Bill. Never one to sit idle, she
opened a stand at the Olympia Farmers Market to sell her
famous eggrolls and in her spare hours, picked blueberries
and mushrooms, and dug Clams.
She eventually took a job shucking oysters at what is
now Taylor Shellfish Farms. Her skills at shucking made
history at Shelton Skookum Rotary’s first West Coast
Oyster Championship, when she came in first. Each year
she easily beat her own records. In 1989, her first place
speed was 3:08 minutes, taking Xinh on to win Nationals.
In 1992, with five first place finishes, each faster than the
previous years, she decided to retire from competing.
The family, employees and customersrat Taylor‘s also
realized that Xinh had an amazing talent for cooking. It
wasn’t long before she was cooking up amazing seafood
creations at their celebrity events. In 1996, Taylor’s helped
her open Xinh’s Clam and Oyster House in Shelton. It
quickly became a regional restaurant destination.
Over the over two decades of operating the restaurant,
Xinh reached national acclaim, winning countless awards,
including Honorary Master Culinary Chef, cooked for
numerous celebrities and dignitaries, and was often
featured in print and on television.
She continually gave back to the community by'donating
time, food, and talent to multiple groups and fundraising
events. She hosted Shelton Kiwanis Club 81 Foundation,
Mason General Hospital Foundation, and others for many
years until she was forced to close her restaurant because
of failing health in 2017.
After retirement, Xinh continued to give back in
the community. Despite her long battle with cancer
shepublished three acclaimed cookbooks. She hosted
fundraising dinners at local events like Bluegrass from .
the Forest and Christmastown. Xinh received the Flame
Award from Mason General Hospital in 2019 and was
highlighted by Mason County Historical Society in
2021 as part of their Women Leaders of Mason County
collection. She served as the honorary Grand Old Oyster
of OysterFest in 2022 while hosting a geoduck chowder
fundraiser for Project Share. For the last year she has
shared her welcoming 'spirit and recipes at Fjord Oyster
Bank, gaining yet more acclaim on King 5’s Evening
Magazine and being inducted into the Hall of Fame by the
Washington State Chefs Association in 2023.
Her accomplishments are immense and astounding, but
despite her countless adventures, awards and accolades,
Xinh’s most cherished joys were her family and the deep
friendships she made in her life journey.
Xinh is preceded by her beloved husband, Stephen,
and is survived by her son, Bill, “BI” Gosk (Phyllis) and
daughter Carrie Craighead (Ryan) and grandchildren,
Braxton, Jasper, Orion, Donny, Makayla and Preston.
For the many friends that have been touched by Xinh’s
warmth, wisdom, and unconditional generosity, her
immortal legacy will stay bright and true in our memories.
A service of remembrance will be held for Xinh on
Tuesday, December .12 at 3:30 PM at the Skookum Creek
Event Center, 91 W. State Rte. 108, Shelton.