Ethel "Gerry" Geraldine Branch

Ethel Geraldine (Gerry) Branch, 82, passed away , Tuesday morning at 8:06AM, February 2nd 2010 at Swedish Hospital in Seattle. She suffered a long illness with congestive heart failure. She was born 9/13/1927 in Aberdeen , WA, to Charles & Lillie Allen , and has been a resident of Seattle for over 62 years. She grew up the youngest of 5 children during the depression in the town of Aberdeen WA, where her father worked at the local saw mill. When she was just old enough to get her first job, she started working to save money for college. She moved to Seattle when she was 20, to attend Seattle Pacific University where she also worked part time. Her sister's husband had previously introduced her to Bill Branch, a World War 2 veteran, while she was still living with her family in Aberdeen. Later at Seattle Pacific University, she met Bill again & they were married in 1951. Gerry graduated from the University of Washington in 1953 with a BA degree in Home Economics. Before her 4 children were born, she worked as a teacher at Bothell Junior High School.

Her marriage to Bill ended in 1974. She finished raising her 4 young children alone, while operating extensive real estate holdings including a motel & several apartment buildings. During the early 1970's, with no access to capital because of her single mom status, she made extensive use of the Goodwill & Saint Vincent DePaul to maintain her property. She learned how to fix things herself, often times making curtains from bed sheets & called upon the Millionaire's Club when she needed the strength of a man. Everyone one that met her was impressed by her work ethic & kindness, always treating others with great dignity & respect.

She was preceded in death by her sisters Velma Lindenau, Dorothy Caldwell & Myrtle Gustafson & her brother Uly Allen. She is survived by her 4 children: John Branch, Brian Branch, Carol (husband James) DeMartini & Janie (husband Paul) Philipp. She is also survived by 3 grandchildren (Jasmine, Brandon and Brianna Philipp), brother in-law Merle Caldwell, several nieces & 1 nephew.

Please visit her web site after Wed 2/10 at www.EthelGBranch.com.