Gertrude Gerry Evelyn Tillman
December 15, 1911 - September 18, 2009
Obituary
Gertrude Gerry Evelyn Barnhart Tillman, born in LaConner, Washington, on December 15, 1911 to James Jehiles Savage and Lyrtle Ellen Holeton Savage, passed away in Shoreline, Washington on September 18, 2009 after a brief illness.
Gerry had a very busy and active life. While raising her four children she also took in foster children, many with special needs.
Later she went back to school and received her degree as a Dental Assistant.
She also served as a docent at Woodland Park Zoo. Gerry was interested in many outside activities, besides her flowers, golf lessons, bird watching. She took up lawn bowling and it was there she met Robert Tillman. They bowled in many tournaments, winning many trophies – as a team and individually.
They enjoyed bowling together but due to health problems later retired. Gerry was very artistic and took up quilting, crocheting, knitting. She was appliqueing squares for a quilt until a month before her death.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Tillman, daughters Colleen Linstead Dave Diener, Kent, Washington and Margaret Pete Mortenson, Auburn, Washington, sons Richard Ruth Barnhart and David Michel, Seattle, Washington, stepdaughter Patricia Tillman, Gainsville, Washington. Nine grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and thre great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, Walter, in 1970 and her great-grandson, Andrew, in 2008.
A celebration of her life will be held on September 26th at 3:30 p.m. at All Saints Lutheran Church, 27225 Military Road South, Auburn, Washington, Exit 272 from I-5.
Gifts in her honor may be made to the Woodland Park Zoo or the Heart Association.
I am sending cards.
For my mom,Thanks for choosing me as your son, you made my life very rewarding, and I will miss calling you, our visits, and I wanted one more crab feed, we should have done another movie, and a ferry ride now, would be be perfect.
Love you, mom,
Dave Michel
Colleen, it is with a heavy heart that I send this. In your sorrow, may you find comfort in memories. Big hugs and love, Ellie