GayAnn Gale Smith

GayAnn Graaff Smith, universally loved by mother, husband, grandson, family and all of her extended family and friends for her always-there-smile, creative mind, perseverance, and loyalty, died September 18th from chronic health conditions. She never gave up the valiant fight, never ever complained, just soldiered on. GayAnn leaves a legacy of commitment to family, deep-rooted friendships, and an unswerving belief in the excitement of life and new experiences.

GayAnn was born in Ellensburg, Washington as a fourth-generation member of a Kittitas Valley family on February 10, 1944. She graduated from Kittitas High School where she was active in the school and played saxophone with the band. She kept in touch with her friends from school, adding others to the growing social circle over the years. She graduated from Central Washington University with a teaching degree and continued for years to mentor and bring a love of learning to first and second grade boys and girls. As a dedicated Girl Scout since second grade, in high school she was invited to the National Girl Scout Roundup in Washington DC.

Always one for a good adventure she traveled to Tahiti before the rest of us were thinking about such a thing, got her pilot's license and flew often from Bellingham to Ellensburg and back if the wind wasn't too brisk. She made technology sing for businesses in Alaska. GayAnn joined Mary Kay in 1994 as an Independent Sales Director. She worked diligently to the status of driving a pink Mary Kay car awarded to top professionals and loved every minute of the women she taught and trained to succeed. She was always in tailored suits in bright colors that reflect her personality. As a member of Soroptimists, GayAnn kept things spirited with her blend of creativity and logic.

Her paintings are treasured by all who are lucky enough to have them. Her clay work was never just the ordinary bowl or cup but creations from glass stalks of bearded wheat to sculptures. The ornaments she made as a glassblower for her nieces and nephews are still an exciting event for young and old to hang on the Christmas tree every year. GayAnn was invited to show her creations at Gallery One and CWU. She is a published author and has held successful book signings. One of the books is Food for Life that still holds valuable guidance today.

GayAnn thrived on her many unique interests and talents and shared generously and widely. Her distinctive talent for connecting with others enabled her to gain trust, show empathy and comfortably put at ease anyone she came across. She will be remembered as a loving and charming archetype of living life genuinely as her true self. She believed and lived with the refrain that you do not merely want to be the best of the best, you want to be the only one who does what you do so well. She was often sought out for her unmatched ability to organize anything and everything and everyone with speed.

GayAnn is survived by her mother, Addie Graaff (Ellensburg), husband, Bruce Smith (Everett), daughter Sarah and husband Mike Stickels (Bellingham), and much loved grandson Daryl (Everett). Sister Kathey Graaff and her husband George Steele (Colorado), sister Susan Grindle, Mark Hollandsworth and his wife Kelly, Adam Hollandsworth and his wife Portia, JeriAnn Epperson and her husband Joe (Ellensburg), Don Graaff and his wife Linda (Ellensburg), Tyson and his wife Calista (Yakima), Asher and his wife Melissa (California) as well as seven grand-nieces and nephews.