Obituary of Meryl Catherine Parsons

Our beloved mother, Meryl Catherine Parsons passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 29th. She was born October 9, 1935 in Waterloo, Iowa to Michael and Ruth Gill and grew up in Polson, Montana. Mom was the oldest of nine children.She graduated from Ronan High School as valedictorian in 1953. She attended Carroll College for three years then moved to Seattle, Washington where she met Dad, William L. Parsons, a logger and construction superintendent. They were married June 22, 1957, had seven children and provided a home to several foster children. Mom returned to college and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Seattle University in 1973. She worked at various lending institutions in the Olympia area for the next twenty years. After retirement she went back to school at Centralia Community College and became certified as a Drug and Alcohol Abuse Counselor. Mom was active in the community and St Michael Parish. She was an Adult Religious Education Director, Lector and Eucharistic Minister. She served on: the Archdiocesan Deaconate Board, Education Board of St. Michael’s school, the Parish Council, and the Pastoral Council. She served on the Board of Directors for the United Way for twenty years, three years as treasurer. Mom volunteered with Pregnancy Aid and the St. Vincent De Paul Society. Mom was a passionate advocate for children and families. After retirement she continued with her volunteer work and became a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). Mom was also a Guardian Ad Litem. She continued her work until two months before her death. Mom was brilliant, wickedly witty, compassionate, and an inspiration to all of us. She was a great cook and bread baker but housekeeping did not interest her. She had a big personality, a big voice and a generous heart. She had a special gift for public speaking. She was the first woman ever to speak at the annual Victoria, BC Logging Conference. Mom’s passion for family is her legacy to her children and grandchildren. She was the great organizer of family parties. She is survived by her children Judith Parrish (Dan), Theresa Parsons, Elizabeth Parsons, Lew Parsons (Toby), Mara Peterson, Ronald Parsons (Teresa), and Bruce Parsons; her mother, Ruth Gill, sisters Ramona McCarthy, Penelope Merrell, Lyola Noblin, Sheila Yuchaz, brothers Shannon, Joseph, and Anton Gill; twelve grandchildren, two great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Parsons, her father Michael Gill and sister Jeannine Gill. Before her death, Mom expressed her gratitude to all the friends she made and to all the people she met who made the world a better place. In her memory, do something special for a child. There will be a Memorial Mass at St. Michael Parish, 1021 Boundary St SE, Olympia, WA at noon on Saturday, October 13, 2007.