Mabel Louise Baldwin

Born to a prominent Spokane family on September 26, 1905, passed away April 25, 2003 at age 97. Louise was the fourth of five children and the last surviving child in her family. She attended Webster Grade School and North Central High School in Spokane. She was athletic and active in sports. Louise was a strong swimmer, which served her well when she courageously saved the life of a nine year old boy who was drowning in the cold waters of Puget Sound near Olympia Washington. She was 18 at the time, and the summer during which she was working in Olympia for her uncle, Grant Hinkle, who was then Secretary of the State of Washington. She attended Cheney Normal School where she earned a teaching certificate and attended Washington State College where she was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority. Her first teaching job was at Valley Ford School near Spokane where she taught 5th and 6th grade. She then took a teaching position in Pasco WA, where she met Raleigh Baldwin, her future husband to be, a math teacher at Pasco High School. They married on June 18, 1930 in Spokane. The Baldwin family moved from Pasco to Spokane, where Raleigh took a teaching position at North Central High School and later Lewis and Clark High School. In 1994 they moved to Richland to be near their daughter, Mary Palmer. Louise was an active member of Westminster Congregational Church for 57 years and became a member of the Meadow Springs Presbyterian Church after moving to Richland. She was a member of the Spokane Garry Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution DAR for 53 years. Through her efforts a memorial was erected to Chief Spokane Garry who established and taught the first school in Spokane in 1832. A member of Delta Zeta Sorority Alumni in Spokane, for over 50 years. She served under Governor Dan Evans? ?the President?s Committee on Employment of the Handicapped for the State of Washington.? As an active member in the Associated Garden Clubs of Spokane, Lazy Dazy Chapter, she won many ribbons for flower arrangements. This reflected her love for gardening. Among her other interests were the Kellogg Travel Club, Sociable Service, Women?s Club of Spokane and delivering Meals on Wheels. Her greatest love was her family, friends and especially her grandchildren. She was the keeper of the family history and through her wisdom she left us with the gift of our history through stories, pictures, letters, memorabilia and geneology records. She is survived by her son, Robert Baldwin of Longview WA, daughters, Elizabeth and son-in-law, the Rev. George Pratt of Seattle WA, Mary Palmer and son-in-law, Richard Palmer of Richland WA; eleven grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren; nephew, Richard Leland Fanning of Diamond Lake WA and niece-in-law, Eleanor Stevens Grieve/Ellison of Priest lake, ID. One of the greatest sorrows in the life of her family was the death of her brother, Dr. Robert Grieve and his wife, Claire Mc Clenny of Seattle in August of 1940. While serving as medical missionaries in the Anglo Egyptian Sudan they were killed by an Italian air raid on their village. She is also preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Matthew Barr Grieve, and Mabel Ann Boss Grieve; siblings, Dr. William E. Grieve, Dr. Margaret Irene Grieve, Elizabeth Lucille Fanning; nephew, Matthew W. Grieve, on June 2, 1997; husband, Raleigh Baldwin, on September 15, 1994 and daughter-in-law, Marilyn Egge Baldwin, on September 20, 1994. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2:00PM; Seattle First United Methodist Church Chapel 811 5th Ave. Seattle, 98104. A graveside service will be held Saturday, May 24, Pleasant Prairie Pioneer Cemetery, Spokane WA. Memorial contributions suggested to a charity of choice.