Juliet R Rawlings

and a long-time artist known particularly for her work in wood

carvings, died Friday, Dec. 17, in Seattle, the day after her 105th

birthday.

On the day of her birthday, Mayor Michael McGinn proclaimed December

16th Juliet Rowland Rawlings Day in Seattle “marking 105 years of

creativity, passion and love for her family.”

Juliet was born in 1905 in Montclair, NJ, to a family of seven. She

attended Syracuse University where she majored in physical education.

In 1931 she married Dr. Warren B. Rawlings, a graduate of the first

class of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine

(1928). On top of running the business side of Warren’s veterinary

practice in Limerick, PA, and raising three children, Juliet designed

and built family gardens, growing a variety of flowers that she

entered in local flowers shows and winning prizes each year for her

specimens and arrangements. Juliet was also president of The Woman’s

Club of Royersford from 1960 to 1961.

After retirement, the couple moved to Florida where Juliet became a

charter member of Ikebana Naples, the organization devoted to Japanese

flower arranging. Juliet expanded her interests in the creative arts

by taking up wood carving. Using a $3 penknife, she fashioned her

first sculpture, an egret. With each piece of wood she selected, she

would study and feel it before creating life forms she found

attractive. She gave demonstrations of her art, including appearances

on a local television station.

In 1988 the couple moved to Washington to be closer to their children

and grandchildren. When Juliet’s husband died in 1993 at the age of

93, she moved to Edmonds, later to Broadview/Era Living and then 12

years ago to University House, Wallingford. Perhaps her favorite

enjoyment at University House was participating in a group that came

together to discuss the day’s events before breakfast every morning.

She named the group “The Morning Glories,” and because of this and her

age (she was the oldest resident), a special chair was always ready

for her when she arrived each day.

Juliet threw herself into the life of Seattle. At age 97 she took her

first seaplane ride—from Lake Union to Orcas Island. At age 99 she

attended a Mariner’s game at Safeco Field. She loved viewing the

cherry blossoms in the University of Washington Quad each spring, was

always game for a meal at a local restaurant, and liked to take a ride

on ferries to the islands, or a drive to Golden Gardens to watch the

sea gulls and sailboats.

Juliet is survived by daughter Audrey Wennblom of Seattle and son

Baker Rawlings of Bellevue; six grandchildren: Susan Baumgaertel, Marc

Baumgaertel and Carolyn Wennblom of Seattle; Philip Wennblom of Palo

Alto; Crystal Rawlings of Bellevue; Justin Rawlings of Boston; one great grandchild: Jennifer Osako of Seattle; and two step great

grandchildren: Sosi and Raffi Lepejian of Palo Alto. Juliet was

preceded in death by her daughter Helen Baumgaertel.

A memorial service will be held in the New Year at University House.

\Arrangements under the direction of Bleitz Funeral Home, Seattle, WA.