Grace Bartlett Wiggs, aged 102, died October 6, 2018, at Cascade Valley Senior Living in Arlington, WA, having enjoyed a rich and full century full of love and adventures.
Grace was born August 9, 1916, in Port Orchard, WA, to Hugh Elbron Bartlett and Grace Craven Bartlett, who preceded her in death as did her younger brother, Elmer.
She met Joe Wiggs in December 1941, and they married on Valentine’s Day 1942. They moved to Arlington in 1950, raising their three children there, Joe, Sue and Gary.
Joe and Grace did everything together until his death in 1979 – crabbing on Chuckanut Drive, camping and fishing on Lummi Island, developing their lapidary skills, digging for artifacts such as old glass bottles in Chinese labor camps in British Columbia, and collecting jade from secret spots in Western Washington. Among Grace’s many accomplishments were service as Eastern Star Worthy Matron and Rainbow Girls Mother Advisor, Everett Rock and Gem Club president and life member, and Marysville Rock Club life member.
She traveled extensively, covering ground in Japan, Germany, England, France, Hong Kong and China. She traveled all over the Northwest to rock club outings and to visit friends in her small motorhome, and she enjoyed driving her little pickup with the “Magnum Powered” decal on the front windshield.
Her other enthusiasms included lapidary handcrafts, beadwork of all kinds, silversmithing and needlework.
In addition to husband, Joe, she was preceded in death by son, Gary, in 1987.
Her survivors, who will remember her with great love and amusing tales, are numerous, including son Joe Wiggs and wife Jane; and daughter Sue Tucker and partner Tim Olexsy; eight grandchildren, Dulcey Heller, Janine Pace, Neil Brumble, Toyon Wiggs, Rhys Wiggs, Tove Wiggs, Stith Wiggs and Noam Wiggs; seven great-grandchildren, Arielle Steers, Megan Steers, Thaine Heller, Bryce Heller, Morgan Wiggs, Novus Wiggs and Piper Wiggs; and nephew Ray Wiggs and wife Carol.
Interment will be at a later date.
Memorial gifts in Grace’s honor may be directed to:
Hospice & Home Care Foundation
2731 Wetmore Ave. Suite 500
Everett, WA 98201
or
Shriners Hospital for Children – Portland
3101 SW Sam Jackson Park Road
Portland, OR 97239
