Jerry Anne Washam

Jerry was born Jerry Anne LeMaster on June 20, 1928, in Eatonville, WA to Clarence and Betty (Dye) LeMaster. She graduated from Pepperdine University in 1950, with a major in English and a minor in Drama. On November 21, 1950, she married Charles “Chuck” Washam. They raised three children on Mercer Island and in Kirkland.

She was a homemaker for many years while also caring for other neighborhood children during the day, leading Campfire Girl leader, and teaching Sunday school. She later joined the Boeing company where she worked as a highly praised Secretary (and one of the fastest typists in the company) and eventually retired after 15 years in 1985.

Jerry’s mother, Betty, was a founding member of Churches of Christ in Cheyenne, WY and in Bellevue, WA where Jerry was a member for many years. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Jerry and Chuck were instrumental in planting the seeds for and growing the Monroe Church of Christ. Time spent in worship and studying the Word were some of her most treasured.

Jerry had a passion for the arts, expressing her desire to be a singing, dancing movie star from a young age--just like Gloria Jean and Shirley Temple according to elementary school journal entries. She was part of drama clubs in high school and college and never seemed to have left the stage, remaining the consummate Drama Queen to the very end.

In the 1990s, her love of music and performing drew her to the Seattle Shores chapter of Sweet Adelines International. The group gave her the opportunity to tour the world in blinged-out dresses, crooning barbershop tunes, while showing off a few dance moves. Jerry loved playing the organ and was an active part of the Prosser Community. She was an avid gardener, lover of history, and resident genealogist.

Above all, Jerry was dedicated to her family and her Christian brothers and sisters. Her bright smile, many many stories, and quick laugh drew people in and always created unique connections. She wanted the best for those she loved and would do anything she knew how to help them along their way. The matriarch of her family, her steadfast nature and giving spirit will truly be missed. She was silly. She was sassy. She was loving. She was Jerry.

Jerry was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother (Alan LeMaster), and brother-in-law (Jerry Beck). She is survived by her three children (Sarah Stuart, Annette Stokes, and David Washam); sister, (Dian Beck), brother and his wife (Neil and Ellinor LeMaster); three grandchildren (Angelique Hall, April Dinius (Mike), and Alex Stokes); three great-grandchildren (Symone Hall, and Matthew and Dani Osoteo); and several nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to Mildred and Romeo Edrozo, the staff at A Happy Heart Home in Kent, WA, and Lordes and Angel Leano in Millcreek, WA who cared for Jerry in the final year of her battle with dementia, and Evergreen Hospice who cared for her in her final days.