Obituary of Rowena A. Danley

Rowena A. Danley Rowena “Toots” Danley, 101, passed away July 7, 2011 in Tumwater, Washington. She was born April 9, 1910 to Walter Beatty and Essie (McGilvery) Beatty Jasmer in Tacoma, Washington. Rowena graduated in the Orting High School class of 1927. She enjoyed math but had problems with geometry; she also played on the girls’ basketball team that reached the state tournament. Rowena received a scholarship in music from Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, where she studied composition, voice and piano. She dreamed of one day becoming a concert pianist. She married Gordon “Pappy” Danley in 1933; he passed away in 1966. As a teenager, Rowena played piano for silent movies, and worked at the Puyallup Fair. She later owned a restaurant in Orting for many years, and worked for the Washington State Department of Fisheries, from which she retired. Rowena loved gambling at Little Creek Casino; bowling, where she served as secretary/treasurer of her league, averaged in the 170s and scored a 256 high; gardening (She could grow anything!); knitting and doing needlepoint; and watching Mariners baseball games. Of special enjoyment was riding on the back of a Harley Davidson motorcycle with her friend John Munson, which she did on her 94th, 97th and 100th birthdays. Rowena is survived by cousin, Jim (Linda) Klippert of Puyallup; niece, Jennifer (Derek) Hughes of Maple Valley; nephews, Joel (Lee Ann) Klippert of Puyallup and John (Marlo) Highet of Bellingham; special friends, John and Anne of Tumwater; and her cat, Screwball. Donations may be made to the Humane Society. To leave memories of Rowena or condolences for the family, please click on "View Guestbook" below.