Lois Smith Livingston

Lois Smith Livingston, 92, of Kirkland, WA, passed away on Sunday, December 4, 2016. She was born April 7, 1924 in St. Pauls, NC, the daughter of the late Walter and Annie (Graham) Smith. Lois married Herbert Pershing Livingston on November 3, 1950 in St. Pauls, NC. He preceded her in death on May 22, 1982.

Lois grew up on a farm in St. Pauls, North Carolina, and told of suckering tobacco in the fields in the summer, chasing chickens, and other farm adventures. Her father was determined that all of the children should get an education so they could support themselves if needed. Her mother was a gifted teacher. The family was faithfully religious and attended Tolarsville Baptist church.

She attended Mars Hill College and graduated from the University of NC at Greensboro, interning at the Universities of Vermont and Florida. She spent her career as a Registered Dietitian, working at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC where she met her husband. (She was a little concerned when Herb's car "ran out of gas" on their first date, but it actually had!) The family moved several times due to her husband's work as an engineer, mostly for Boeing. They eventually settled in Washington State in 1969.

Lois was an active member of the Bothell United Methodist Church since 1969, sang in the choir and served as president of the United Methodist Women in the Seattle District and of the Pacific Northwest Conference. She often spoke of the benefits she received from the leadership training she received from these organizations. Social mission was also important to her - she served on the board of Atlantic Street Center and received the Reverend Willie Jackson, Jr., Religious Service Award from them in 2004. This was her real career.

Lois loved spending time with her family and enjoyed reading, staying current with the news and exercising. She played the piano and organ and had season tickets for the Seattle Symphony and Village Theatre with her friend Jean Jayne. She loved to attend events related to her church - Bible Study and two CORE groups. She loved to travel internationally with her sisters and friends, and visited her family in North Carolina often.

She played bridge with different groups over the years, and was a Stephen's Minister, providing counseling.

Lois was a calming serene presence, and exuded graciousness, compassion and gentleness.

She was a safe harbor for those who knew her. We will miss her so much!

She is survived by her daughter Joyce Livingston, sons Charles (Julia) and Keith, grandchildren Peter (Angie), Rebecca Mortensen (Dirk) and Vincent, great-grandchildren Ezra and Phoebe, sisters Esther Arne and Jane Carlyle (Cecil), and Jensine Ban and her daughter Surya Basnet, who were like a daughter and granddaughter to Lois.

Memorial funds to go toward:

PNWCUMW Endowment Fund (Pacific Northwest Conference of United Methodist

Women)

Bothell United Methodist Church

Atlantic Street Center

A memorial service to celebrate Lois's life will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, December 16, 2016 at Bothell United Methodist Church, 18515 92nd Avenue NE, Bothell, WA. There will be a reception following.

Arrangements by Lifetime Celebrations by Washelli, 18224 103rd Avenue NE, Bothell, WA