Arline M Wilson

Arline, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend passed away peacefully at her home, August 12th, with family by her side. Her memories will be carried on by her friends and family?granddaughter Heddy Gudjonsson, siblings Angie Latimer & Eldon Parr, along with several nieces and nephews, especially Jeff Parr, & Dan Latimer. Arline was preceded in death by her parents Elmer & Grace Parr, daughter Kathy Gudjonsson, and brothers Elmer, Keith, Bill, and Harry.

Arline was born April 17, 1930 in Pretty Rock, North Dakota. The family migrated West during the depression, settling first in Montana before anchoring in Seattle in 1941. She graduated from Edmonds High School in 1948. Arline, a longtime Washingtonian, primarily resided in the Renton/Seattle area before retiring to the city of Bellingham in 1994. A woman of solitude, she enjoyed her retired years reading, tending her flowers, watching the food network and the travel channel.

As the family matriarch, Arline lived her life just as she wanted. She was a model of grace, elegance, class, integrity, generosity, love, and perseverance. Always a nurturing caregiver, she helped to raise her younger siblings after the passing of their mother and later in life often opened her home to ?Father? during his later years. From a marriage in her twenties her pride and joy, Kathy, was born. Her relationship with Kathy was one many admired; they were a fierce mother daughter team whose love for one another was poignant. She was a devoted and caring single parent, a wonderful mother & grandmother, teacher, protector, and friend.

In 1977, after the untimely loss of her daughter, she raised her granddaughter, Heddy who always referred to Arline as ?Grand-Digs?. Arline devoted her life to caring, nurturing, and spoiling those she loved. For both Kathy and Heddy, Arline made the most of weekends, often treating friends or cousins to activities and weekend get-aways. Her warmth, happiness, and generosity ensured that everyone had a wonderful time.

She loved her family, the holidays, cooking, sewing, golf, bowling, politics, and her gin martinis. Arline was proud of her 40-year career at Boeing where she started as a technical writer. Colleagues fondly remember her work ethic, humor, infectious laugh, and fabulous legs. Arline put her family first, but friends will testify that she also knew how to live it up and have a great time. She was always poised and dignified?an exterior that could conceal her feisty, sassy, and gregarious personality. Arline had a wit and humor that could catch you off guard and was consequently a joy, pleasure, and often a real hoot to be around. She was a loyal and dear friend and the ideal daughter, sibling, mother, aunt, and grandmother. These few words can?t capture all that Arline was and how much she meant to us. An extraordinary woman, she was dearly loved by family and friends and will be deeply missed.