Obituary of Christine Elsie Hougan

Christine Elsie Hougan passed away on March 30, 2022.  She was born on December 14, 1938, to Mary Margaret and Stanley Edgar Williams in Harrow, England.  Her early years were spent in London and the English countryside during World War II.  Her journey to the United States began with her crossing the Atlantic Ocean aboard the Queen Mary in 1948.  She lived in Chicago, Colorado, and Florida, before settling in North Bend, Washington, with her family.  

Chris met the love of her life, Michael W. Hougan Sr., while attending Mt. Si High School.  Following graduation, the two married and then moved to Pullman where both attended Washington State College.  Christine worked as a labor and delivery nurse at Pullman Memorial Hospital, supporting her husband through the Veterinary Medical School, while raising three of their five sons.  

Upon graduating college, the family moved to Snohomish, adding their fourth son, then Federal Way, before finally landing in Olympia with the birth of their fifth son.  Christine was a busy mother with five sons born in seven years. She attended too many games of football, baseball, wrestling, FFA, swimming, band and orchestra concerts to count.  Her van full of children was a familiar site around Olympia.

Christine proudly studied and attained her official United State Citizenship.  She loved collecting antiques and sold them in Olympia and Centralia shops. She enjoyed the many patrons while she worked at Drees of Olympia. Christine was an active member of St. Michael Parish.

Christine is preceded in death by her mother, Mary; father, Stanley; and husband, Mike. She is survived by her brothers, Donald (Dee) Williams, Steven Williams; sisters, Robyn Pappas and Wendy Shepherd; sons and their families, Michael (Brooke, Andrew and Riley), John (Libby, Chelsea McConnel (Kurtis) ( Hans (Hannah), and Evan (Lyndsey), David (Karen, Mikayla, and Alexander), Mathew (Mary, Karlyn Spevacek (Andrew), Madelyn Vlas (Simon), and Jocelyn) and Thomas (Sunny, Jack (Audrey), and Ben); along with six great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews who filled her life with joy.

There will be a graveside service Monday, April 25, 2022, 2:00 p.m. at Masonic Memorial Park, 455 North St. SE, Tumwater, WA 98501, with a reception to follow at South Sound Manor. 

For an honorarium, it is suggested that donations may be made to a Washington State University Alumni Scholarship Fund of your choice or to the Thurston County Hospice.

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