Gwen Billings

March 27, 1952 – June 5, 2013

      Gwen Billings passed away peacefully on June 5, 2013 in Bellevue, Washington.

      Gwen was born in Yakima, Washington on March 27, 1952 to Howard and Joan Gerritsen. She grew up in Yakima and enjoyed walking to school through orchards, riding her bike, going to Camp Rimrock in the summer, and driving to Seattle to spend time on her dad’s boat, Cadrew. After high school, she earned her teaching certificate at the University of Washington and was a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. During her student teaching, she lived on Cadrew in Lake Union and met Roger Billings. They were married on August 1, 1976 and moved to Bainbridge Island shortly thereafter.

      Over the next 20 years, she volunteered extensively in her daughters’ classrooms and taught first and second grade at The Island School. She loved swimming, playing tennis, biking through tulip fields, gardening, hiking, and skiing, and any other adventure she could concoct. Every summer she spent several weeks with Roger and their daughters, Katie and Betsy, on their boat Riptide in British Columbia.

      Gwen stopped teaching in 2002 and began working for Town and Country Market, where she was loved by coworkers and customers alike. In 2005, she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Even while coping with the disease, she remained incredibly positive and strong. She and her family were surrounded by wonderful support from friends and the community the entire time.

      Gwen was a warm and devoted mother, teacher, and friend. Friends describe her as “kind, welcoming, and generous,” “a lovely, gentle spirit,” an “active, supportive, loving mother,” someone who “always had an adventure planned” and valued “love, family, and the fun things in life.”

      Gwen is survived by her brother Dale, her daughters Katie and Betsy, and many, many loving friends. A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 6 at 1:00 at Grace Episcopal Church, 8595 NE Day Rd, Bainbridge Island. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gwen’s name to The Island School ( theislandschool.org ) or Islandwood ( islandwood.org ).

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