Georgette Marie Bayless, SP
February 14, 1922 - September 25, 2016
Obituary
OBITUARY
GEORGETTE BAYLESS, SP
(Sister Mary Joan)
Sister Georgette Bayless, age 94, a Sister of Providence for 71 years, died September 25, 2016, at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle, WA. Vigil Service: Monday, October 3, 2016, at 7:00 PM, and Funeral Mass: Tuesday, October 4, 2016, at 11:00 AM, both at St. Joseph Residence, 4800 37th Avenue SW, Seattle, WA. Burial at Calvary Cemetery, Seattle, WA, follows Mass and reception. Bonney-Watson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Georgette Bayless was born February 14, 1922 to Joseph Bayless and Amelie Mathe, in San Jose, California, the fourth youngest of 7 children. Her father worked as a lineman for the Southern Pacific Railway. Georgette attended Saint Patrick’s grade school, Notre Dame high school. After San Jose State College as a pre-nursing student, in 1941 she began studies at Providence School of Nursing in Oakland, CA. In 1944 was selected as a cadet nurse for the United States Naval Hospital in Seattle, WA.
In 1953 Sr. Georgette received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Seattle University; and in 1962 a Master of Science degree in Nursing/Education from Catholic University of America, Washington, DC.
She entered the Sisters of Providence in November 1944 in Seattle, WA. She became a novice on May 18, 1945, professed first vows on February 28, 1947 and received the name Sister Mary Joan, and professed final vows on February 28, 1950.
Sister Georgette began her ministry as a nursing supervisor in 1947 at St. Elizabeth Hospital (aka Providence Yakima Medical Center) in Yakima, WA, with positions through 1960 in Oregon at Providence Portland Medical Center and St. Mary Hospital, Astoria; in Washington at Providence Hospital, Everett, and St. Mary Hospital in Walla Walla.
From 1962-73 Sr. Georgette held several nursing administration positions in Oregon at Providence Portland Medical Center, St. Vincent Medical Center, and Providence Medford Medical Center; St. Patrick Hospital School of Nursing in Missoula, MT. From late 1973 to 1990, she was a Director and Associate of Pastoral Care in Washington at Providence Hospital, Everett and St. Peter Hospital, in Olympia; and St. Joseph Medical Center, Burbank, CA. From 1990-94 Sr. Georgette was Mission Coordinator in Washington at Providence Toppenish Hospital and Providence Yakima Medical Center. In Everett she founded Providence Hospice & Home Care of Snohomish County and Providence Hospital’s Sexual Assault Center.
In January 1995 she retired and began volunteer ministry as a board member of numerous organizations. She co-founded the Yakima Literacy Coalition.
Sr. Georgette was the honored recipient of various awards for her leadership and service in numerous communities, for example: the honoree of the Seattle Post Intelligencer’s Jefferson Award for her exemplary commitment in health care; recognition by the Everett Police Department Chaplains Bureau for “the many lives that were assisted by your unselfish and caring ways and we extend our sincerest gratitude (1975-81)”.
In 2007, Sr. Georgette moved to St. Joseph Residence, Seattle, where she enjoyed her new vocation “being with the elderly” and enjoying life together! Her favorite pastimes were watercolor painting and sharing cherished time with her sisters, family and friends.
Sr. Georgette is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Joseph and Louis, and sister, Claire Veneables. She is survived by her brother, Richard, San Jose, California; sisters, Marguerite Byerton, Sacramento, CA and Elizabeth Johnstone, Visalia, CA; sister-in-law, Marge Bayless, Phoenix, AZ; cousins, several nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence Retirement Fund, 1801 Lind Avenue SW, #9016, Renton, WA 98057-9016.
To view Sr. Georgette’s obituary and picture and to sign her memory book, please visit the website for Bonney-Watson Funeral Home at www.bonneywatson.com.
I am sorry to read about the loss of Sister Georgette. She was a wonderful woman.
I worked with Sister Georgette at Providence Toppenish and again when she came back to the valley. I kept in touch with her for many years. She was a very special lady. She gave so much of herself in so many different ways. She will be greatly missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
I was honored to be a friend of Sr. Georgette ! She knew my father, a doctor at St. ELizabeth Hospital and where I was born. We shared stories of those days ..the 40’s in old Yakima. When I returned to Yakima after retiring, she was instrumental in My joining the Associates of Sisters of Providence…a wonderful group ! Georgette was always cheerful..one part of her was wildand goony..she would dance at the drop of a Hathaway..ride motorcycles to promote Providence Hospice and Sexual Assault Centers in Everett ! Gave her lifestyle,s energies to serve others ! Liz
Sorry about the typos. My machine does this Often. Both Hathaways. I meant “hat”. And one other..but I can,t remember it. Sorry. “Whatever concerns the poor concerns us “. a Sister of Providence saying that Georgette lived !!!
Sister Georgette was a mentor and role model to so many of us. She brought the Mission to life. I miss her.
What a celebration in the Communion of Saints! I had the honor & delight of working with Sister Georgette in setting up the Hospice of Snohomish County 1980-85. She lived & witnessed the Gospel of love. She’s home now I miss her so.
GEORGETTE BAYLESS S.P. FAMILIY
WE KNEW SISTER FOR MANY YEARS, MY WIFE AND I, HAVE OPEN & SET UP EVERYTHING AT ST. JOSEPH CHURCH, YAKIMA,WA. SINCE 1970 UNTIL 2015.
WE ARE VERY SAD TO READ ABOUT HER PASSING IN THE YAKIMA PAPER. MY WIFE, MARIA, ALWAYS KEPT IN TOUCH WITH HER, ALWAYS SENDING HER GREETINGS CARDS THROUGH THE YEARS.
OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE WHOLE FAMILY. SHE IS NOW A “ANGEL” WATCHING FROM ABOVE. WE WILL KEEP HER IN OUR PRAYERS.
ZAMMIE & MARIA ZAMARRIPA
YAKIMA, WA.
ZAMMIE’S BARBER SYTLIST
1715 S. 3RD AVE.
YAKIMA,WA. 90902
Sister Georgette was so kind to me when I worked with her at Providence Medical Center in Yakima, WA. She brought so many people comfort through our Heavenly Father. Rest well dear lady. You impacted my life in such a positive manner.
In 1978, I was a 40 year old student nurse, working as a student nurse’s aide at General Hospital of Everett. It was the summer between my first and second year of nursing at EVCC. I floated throughout the hospital, and in the course of my summer I met Sr.Georgette. Of course, I didn’t realize it at the time that she would make a huge impression on me, and my community. I had a patient who had received the news that he had terminal cancer, and had weeks to live. Both he, and his wife were devastated, and his stepson, her son, who was there, and a Jehova’s Witness, immediately began to tell him he was a sinner, and going to Hell, and caused a large ruckus. Hospice at this time was in it’s infancy, but I had talked to Sr. Georgette at length about it. I made the stepson leave, (I was SO mad!), and called Sr. Georgette across town at Prov., and she came over within 30 minutes, and spent a great deal of time with these folks, and was able to calm them down, and give them hope. The patient did pass away a few weeks later. He slipped away, and his wife was so grateful to Sr. Georgette for all her loving care, and comfort. I have kept track of her all these years, and thank God that I had the privilege to know her, and have a tiny hand in being a part of Hospice at that time. I did graduate, and spent 22 years at General Hospital, then Providence/General until my retirement My prayers and sympathy go to Sr. Georgette’s family, and wide circle of friends. And I am so very proud to have known her.
Most sincerely, Barbara Duffy, retired RN.
I was so blessed to be part of her life in Everett. My mother Kay Padovan was a great friend and actually was her first unofficial hospice patient before she began the Snohomish Hospice. My husband and I grew up in Everett and moved to Yakima where we again met up with Georgette where she blessed our life in many ways. I will be forever thankful that she brought me into the Providence Associate program. It was wonderful to celebrate her 70th jubilee. So sorry to miss her funeral. We we at our first grandchilds wedding in Boise which I am sure she looked down on with much joy.
It was so nice to have Sister Georgette at Providence in Yakima. She always had time for everyone. Her kindness and gentleness gave our patients hope and peace. I remember the paintings she used to do and share with staff, patients and others.
Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and all who loved her.