Elizabeth Wilson

Elizabeth Anne (Gibson) Wilson passed away peacefully Saturday, November 26, 2011 surrounded by her loving family and holding the hand of her sweet husband of 53 years. Elizabeth was born on August 6, 1933 in Walla Walla Washington to parents Charles and Karen (Krogh) Gibson. Elizabeth was a tiny baby, weighing only 2 lbs. at birth, and she left this life the same way she entered it; tiny and tough! Her family moved from Walla Walla to Spokane, then Seattle and eventually settled in Yakima, WA when Elizabeth was 11. She attended Franklin Jr. High and graduated from Yakima High School in 1951. Elizabeth went on to earn a teaching degree in 1955 from Whitman College in Walla Walla and was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority and remained a lifelong member. After college, she taught 2nd grade in both Richland and Yakima.

On June 15, 1958, Elizabeth married William E. (Bill) Wilson at the Congregational Church in Yakima and in January of 1962 they were blessed with their first daughter, Caroline.

Elizabeth and Bill and their daughter Caroline spent some time living in both Florida and Georgia while Bill attended Florida State University in the 1960s. After obtaining his Master's Degree, the family moved back to Yakima where they were blessed with 2 more children: son Michael and daughter Jeannie.

In 1982 Elizabeth and Bill moved their family from Yakima to Moses Lake, WA where they joined the First Presbyterian Church. They enjoyed many years of membership and made many special friendships there. Elizabeth helped re-activate the local chapter of the A.A.U.W. (American Association of University Women) and loved participating in their meetings and events in Moses Lake. She was a strong advocate for higher education and encouraged a college education whenever she had the chance. She also spent time volunteering at the Samaritan Hospital gift shop and was a member of the local PEO sisterhood chapter.

In 1986 Elizabeth and Bill were blessed with their first grandchild, Brent, with whom she shared a special bond. She spent many hours with Brent when he was a baby. She shared her love of books with him and helped him learn to read by the time he was 3! He was followed in 1988 and 1990 by two sisters, Heather and Hilary whom she loved to spoil with gifts of dolls, books and jewelry. Her grandchildren were her greatest joy in her later years and she loved spending time with them!

Elizabeth enjoyed teaching children and volunteering at her children's schools when they were young. She was active in several community and church women's groups. She had a very giving, thoughtful nature and was always ready with a gift to give for any special occasion or sometimes "just because." Elizabeth enjoyed company and loved to socialize and visit. She also enjoyed reading, shopping and needlework. The daughter of a jewelry store owner, Elizabeth had a love and appreciation of fine jewelry and had quite a collection of lovely pieces.

Elizabeth is survived by her loving husband Bill, of 53 years, daughter Caroline Hendrix and husband Ephraim of Seattle, son Mike Wilson and wife Michelle of Pasco, daughter Jeannie Huck and husband Brian of Moses Lake, one sister Mary Carol Baldwin of Redmond, grandson Brent Hirz and wife Carolyn of Provo Utah, and granddaughters Heather Hirz and Hilary Hirz of Richland, WA, and granddaughter Celicia Fischer of Pasco. She was preceeded in death by an infant son in childbirth, Paul David, and her parents Charles and Karen Gibson.

Elizabeth lived her later years in dignity fighting Alzheimer's disease.

Her family would like to thank the staff at Summerwood Care Facility and LakeRidge Care Facility for their loving care of Elizabeth these past several years.

Funeral services are planned for Friday, December 9, 2011 at the Moses Lake United Methodist Church, 746 S. Ironwood, at 1 pm with Pastor Steve Rice officiating. A family graveside service will be held Sunday, December 11 at Terrace Heights Memorial Park in Yakima, WA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Elizabeth's name to the Alzheimer's Association.