Obituary of Harriett Braun Gray

Harriett Braun Gray, 86, passed away on May 1, 2014. She lived in the greater-Olympia area for the past 18 years. Harriett was survived by her husband, Lee E. Gray; daughter, Katharine (Kitty) Gray Carlsen (Roy) of Olympia, Washington; son, Robert P. “Rip” Gray (Marcia) of Norfolk, Virginia; three grandchildren: Elizabeth Carlsen Wilson of Olympia, Britta Carlsen of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Kyle Gray of Richmond, Virginia; and two great-grandchildren, Cole and Lila Wilson. Harriett was born in Seattle, Washington, on November 9, 1927. She was the first person to graduate in drama from Seattle’s Roosevelt High School, Class of 1945. Harriett then studied speech and drama at the University of Washington, where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. After her high school sweetheart, Lee, returned from World War II in the Pacific, they married in the garden at Harriett’s parents’ home in Lake Forest Park, Seattle, in September 1947. During their 66 years of marriage, they lived in many locations up and down the West Coast, including Cupertino, California;Seattle; and Richland, Washington, where she performed with the “Richland Players” theatre group. Harriett and Lee built their home and lived for nearly 30 years in Kirkland, Washington, where Lee was an educator in the Lake Washington School District. Harriett was a founding member of Theatre East (Creative Arts League) in Kirkland, acting as the lead in many plays. Lee and Harriett then moved to Coupeville, Washington, on Whidbey Island where they owned and operated The Victorian House Bed and Breakfast and an antique store. In 1992, they moved to Anacortes, Washington, where Harriett proudly served on the Anacortes Museum Board. In 1998 they moved to Olympia to be close to their daughter and her family. Harriett joined the Olympia Readers’ Theater, and was a member of the Cloe Clark Questers #1327 of Washington (and antiques study group) and the South Sound Sam’s RV Club. Harriett was preceded in death by her parents, Paul J. and Merle Thomason Braun of Kirkland, Washington; and her sister, Sylvia Braun Westberg of Seattle, Washington. Harriett was a much-loved Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother. She was an accomplished actress with a passion for learning about the lives of others. Harriett loved children, celebrations and time with her family. She will be greatly missed by everyone graced with her friendship and love. The family suggests that gifts in memory of Harriett be sent to the Roosevelt High School Drama Department: Alliance For Education/RHS Drama Attn: Holly Roosevelt High School 1410 NE 66th Street Seattle, WA 98115 Or to the Kirkland Arts Center (formerly Creative Arts League): Kirkland Arts Center Attn: Jennifer Gill, Development Manager 620 Market Street Kirkland, WA 98033 425-822-7161 x106 or x103 Please leave memories of Harriett or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.