For decades people came to the Beach Broiler in West Seattle and were greeted by the smiling and gracious Joyce Entus. After selling the business to Gerald and Kathryn Kingen she still served as a hostess, greeting everyone who entered with her trademark smile. She passed away on July 18.

Salty's on Alki shared this with the West Seattle Herald.

"We honor the passing of one of the great, legendary ladies of Seattle, Joyce Entus, on July 18, 2015. She was born in Anacortes, Washington to Thomas (Dom) and Mary Karklin Entus. Her parents, along with her younger brother, William, predeceased her. Although never married, Joyce had a family by choice, comprised of the many friends she wrapped into her generous arms.

As a woman ahead of her time, Joyce began her career working for the King County Sheriff’s office. By the early 1960’s, Joyce was managing the waterfront icon of West Seattle, the Beach Broiler. After the death of original owner Selma Rodgers in 1972, Joyce, along with her chef, Bertil Hansson, acquired the business. Joyce worked “eight days a week, 25 hours a day,” and loved every minute of it. The restaurant was known for its fresh fish, caught the night before, and she was renowned for her warmth and graciousness, welcoming people from all parts of the world, including Liberace and famed opera singer Rolf Bjorling. In 1985, Joyce, and her business partner Bertil, sold the Beach Broiler to Gerald and Kathryn Kingen, but the Kingens asked her to stay on as a hostess for the newly remodeled restaurant, renamed Salty’s on Alki Beach. For the next 15 years, Joyce greeted Salty’s guests at the door with such a memorable welcome that few days go by without a guest inquiring about her. During her “retirement,” Joyce volunteered for Swedish Hospital, where her laughter and charm tirelessly cheered patients for over 25 years. She also enjoyed traveling throughout the world, but always returned and resided in West Seattle where she could keep in touch with the community and people she loved.

Many thanks to all those who sustained Joyce throughout the years, including the Kingens, their daughter Kate, Joe and Dolores Yasuda, Julie Dickens, the late Dick Bennett and wife Myrna, Tom Glover and Bill Mahon. And much gratitude for the wonderful care she received from Jane Wiebe, the Brookdale at Admiral Heights team, as well as Providence Hospice and her Home Instead caregivers.

In Joyce’s own words: “Always thankful for those who made her life nicer. Loved people and their pets and all animals and living things. Pray for love and kindness.”
Thank you Joyce for teaching us all to “Smile and Keep Moving” and to “Enjoy Every Minute!”

Memorial services will be held at Salty’s on Alki on Monday, July 27th at 1:00 p.m.. Her final resting place will be the Grandview Cemetery in Anacortes. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Seattle First Baptist Church or Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. San Rafael, CA.