Obituary of Willa Mylroie-Fassett

None Willa Wilcox Mylroie-Fassett Willa, 95, passed away at her Boston Harbor home of 54 years on Tuesday June 5, 2012, of complications arising from Alzheimer’s disease. Willa was born May 30, 1917 in Seattle, Washington to Ruth Ann (Begg) and Roscoe Elgin Wilcox. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in Seattle, WA in 1933 and received her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Washington in 1940. On December 28, 1940 she married John Ellis Mylroie. Following his death in 1947, she returned to the University of Washington and earned her Master’s of Science in Regional Planning in 1953. Willa began her professional career in Seattle as a Civil Engineer with the US Army Corps of Engineers from 1941-46. In 1948 she began the first of a number of project teaching assignments in the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Washington. In 1956 she accepted a professorship in Civil Engineering at Purdue University Lafayette, Indiana. She moved back to Washington State in 1958 to work as a Research Engineer and Planner for the Washington State Department of Transportation, Olympia, WA. In 1963 she married Donald G. Fassett. Together they sailed Canadian and Alaskan waters on their 40 foot sloop, Swirl II, devoted many years to the Evergreen State College Marine Studies program, and traveled all over the world. She retired from the Department of Transportation in 1981, but continued to be active in advisory and consulting capacities to the City of Olympia, King County Design Review Board, University of Washington and Washington State University. Willa's entire life centered on service to others, whether in the professional context of planning or the personal context of volunteering. She enjoyed sailing, gardening, travel music, and volunteering for community activities. She was a life-long member of the Dawn Bible Students, and held memberships and offices in the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Institute of Traffic Engineers, the Planning Association of Washington, Sigma Xi, Soroptomists, PTA, Girl and Boy Scouts, 4-H, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, South Sound Sailing Society, and U.S. Power Squadron. She received many honors from these organizations in recognition of her outstanding service to both her profession and her community. Willa is survived by her son, Steven W. Mylroie, Mountain View, California; daughters, Jo M. Sohneronne, Olympia, Washington, Dana Fassett, Lacey, WA, and Alice Fisher, Onalaska, WA; grandchildren: Sean Walsh, Connie Yenne, Barbara Rasaie, Steve Fremonti, Linda Cook Pendleton, Ruth Beyette, Stephanie Judson, Paul McKenney, and Rose McKenney; and great-grandchildren: Megan, Alexis, Miranda, Scott, John, Javaud, Yauseen, Auzeen, Luigi, Leo, Gabe, Pierce, Cole, Loren, Melissa, Sara, and Aaron. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, John Mylroie and Donald Fassett; her sister; Rosalea Vanek Casey; and four great-children, Jerry, Geoff, Chris, and Dylan. Family suggests memorials may be made to the Willa Wilcox Mylroie Scholarship at the University of Washington. PO Box 352180 Seattle, WA 98515-2180. Please leave your condolences or a favorite memory for the Family in guestbook below.