Mom's Obituary

Not a good day for me at all. We got moms obit in the paper today. This was one of the hardest days since she died a month ago exactly. I think seeing this all printed up made it so very real. For you to read for those that new mom:



Wendy J. Gaston
February 25, 1930 – September 7, 2009

Please note: Mom wrote her own obituary prior to her death and wanted to share a summary of her life in her own words with friends and family. Our beloved mother passed away peacefully at her Lakewood home surrounded by family after a battle with multiple health issues.

Wendy was born in Kansas City, Kansas where she attended high school. Always active and involved, she was Girls Club President and a member of the National Honor Society. She acted as Social Editor of the school newspaper and participated in many high school activities.

Upon graduation, her family moved to the Northwest where she attended the University of WA becoming a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority and upon graduating she was elected District Alum Chairman (1979-81).

Wendy received her BA in English as well as a teaching certificate. In 1953 she married her college sweetheart John Gaston.

During the following year, while busy raising their family, Wendy became active in the Junior League of Tacoma (President 1968). When her children were grown she became a member of the Tacoma Garden Club (President 1992) and enjoyed learning new garden techniques and made many new friends.

Upon her husband’s retirement in 1993, they moved to Arizona where she became active in Republican politics and was elected State Committeeman in 1996. She thrived in the political environment which she maintained was due to her Midwest Conservative values. In 1997 they returned to the Northwest.

Wendy loved poetry, especially Wordsworth and Henry Van Dyke. The song “America the Beautiful” always brought tears to her eyes. Her favorite past times were skiing, aerobics, gardening, reading, sports (Go Huskies!) and traveling and before the onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis made several trips to Europe, Hawaii, Mexico and toured Thailand. She enjoyed family and friends and was always there for them. She had a strong belief in God, country and family and was always willing to laugh at herself. She will be remembered for her “can do” attitude, organizational abilities, efficiency and her unending honesty and loyalty to family and friends.

She is survived by her husband, John, of 56 years, son John Jr. (Kathryn) of Bellevue, WA and granddaughter Marissa, a source of much pleasure and her daughter Katherine Sherwin (Chris) of Heber City, UT. She is also survived by her sister, Donna Boring of Renton, WA and her niece, Dani Gray (Warren) also of Renton and their family.

Note from our family: It is just like mother in her organized ways to have written her own obituary! She will be remembered for her kind and generous spirit, her willingness to help others and her contributions to the community. Known for her devotion and dependability to our family we are going to miss her dearly but she will forever be in our hearts. The family would like to especially thank Karen Hartley and Sandy Brizuela who were a source of positive thinking and support for the family over the last few years.

In accordance with mom’s wishes a Celebration of Life Reception will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2009 from 1pm to 3pm at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club, 13204 Country Club Dr. SW, Lakewood, WA. The family invites Wendy’s many friends and family to her Celebration of Life.

Wendy requested that you consider a contribution in her memory to your favorite charity.

Please sign an online guestbook at www.mountainviewtacoma.com for condolences and remembrances.