Gwendolyn Mae Williams

Gwen, affectionately know by her family as "Sissie", was born to G. I. and Della Griffith on September 15, 1920 in Yakima, Washington. Her family lived in Wenatchee and Bellingham for a few years and then moved to the Olympia area in 1927 where she lived the rest of her life. Gwen graduated from Olympia High School in 1938 and then graduated from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon and the College of Puget Sound in Tacoma in 1943 with a BA in health and physical education and a teaching certificate. While at Willamette University, she was affiliated with Delta Phi sorority. Gwen taught physical education and health at Lincoln High School in Tacoma and Olympia High School for a span of 26 years. She retired in 1977. During that time, Gwen taught thousands of students and coached several O.H.S. tennis teams to state championships.

In June 1946, Gwen married Walt Williams in Venezuela. After a short stay they moved to Tumwater, Washington where Gwen lived in the same house on Barnes Lake for nearly 60 years. Gwen is preceded in death by her husband, Walt, of 18 years and her longtime friend Norene Jenkins. She is survived by her sister Pauline (Dale) Lien, nephew Steve Lien and nieces Lori Yonago and Sheri Kearsley.

Gwen had numerous interests: sports of all kinds, Pomeranian dogs, stray cats, travel, tennis, bowling, casino visits, gardening, martinis, and the Republican party! She was an active member of the United Methodist Church of Olympia.

Gwen was a loving sister and aunt to all of her family members and a good friend to many, many people throughout her lifetime. In our hearts Sissie will be with us forever.

A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church of Olympia on July 18, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of lowers, the family requests that donation be made to the Assured Home Health and Hospice Foundation, 222 So. Pearl St., Centralia, WA 98531.