Washington Obituaries

The Kelsonian         09 March 1907              Copy of Original

MARGARET JOSEPHINE BARLOW was born in Tacoma Wash. December 22, 1892, and died at Catlin, Wash., March 3, 1907. She moved with her parents from Tacoma to Catlin in 1896 where she has since lived. None knew Josie but to love her loving ways and helpfulness, she was ever a sunbeam in the home. She was ambitious as a student, beloved as a schoolmate and patient and sweet through all her long suffering, her memory will be held dear to all who knew her.

She was a member of the Catlin Presbyterian church and was ever a willing helper in its work. She leaves a father and mother, a sister and three brothers who will always miss her sweet smile and cheerfulness. The funeral was held at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon after which interment took place in the Catlin cemetery.

"There's a sinless brow with a radiant crown 
And a cross laid down in the dust;
There's a smile where never a shadow comes now
And tears no more from those dear eyes flow,
So sweet in their innocent trust.
There's a beautiful land beyond the skies 
And we long to reach its shore
For we know we shall find our darling there,
The beautiful eyes and the dark brown hair,
Of the loved one gone before."

Card of Thanks
We wish to thank those who so kindly assisted us during our late bereavement.

Mr. and Mrs. Barlow

Longview Daily News      22 July 1932       Death Takes Frank Barlow Last Night                     Copy of Original

FRANK P. BARLOW, resident of Kelso for the past 12 years, died last night at the family home, 400 Cowlitz Way, after an extended illness. He was more than 70 years of age.

Survivors are the widow, Mrs. Rose Barlow and one daughter, Mrs. W.A. Williams. There are seven grandchildren. Barlow had been a resident of the state of Washington for 30 years.

Funeral services are to be held at the chapel of the Nat Smith funeral home at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

23 July 1932             Frank P. Barlow Services Sunday                               

Funeral services for FRANK P. BARLOW, 82, who passed away Thursday night at his Kelso home, will be held at two o'clock tomorrow afternoon at the chapel of the Smith funeral home in Kelso. Christian Science services will be conducted by Mrs. M. Vaughn. Interment will be in the I.O.O.F. cemetery. Mr. Barlow was born May 17, 1850. Barlow lived in Kelso for 12 years. The widow and one daughter, Mrs. W.A. Williams survive.

The Tacoma News Tribune        17 May 1937            HERTILLA BARLOW, widow of CALVIN S. BARLOW

Longview Daily News           April 1938          Copy of Original

BARLOW--- Mrs. ROSE A., 88, of 1112 N. 4th St., Kelso, died in Vancouver hospital, Apr. 22. Born September 12, 1857. Survivors include a daughter Mrs. Mae B. Williams, same address. Funeral arrangements, in charge of the Reardon Funeral home, are pending.

Bellingham Herald       Bellingham Washington       24 March 1943                     Copy of Original

FRANK J. BARLOW DIES AT AGE OF 95

A pioneer businessman and resident here since 1889 and member of the Masonic order sixty-three years, Frank J. Barlow, 701 Garden street, passed away at a local hospital Wednesday at the age of 95 years, following a brief illness.

Mr. Barlow also was a member of the board of trustees of Bellingham Normal, now Western Washington college, for ten years, serving four years as chairman of the board. His business activities here were tuned to the times, Mr. Barlow coming here in 1889 from Huron, South Dakota, to establish a saddlery and farm implement store. When the automobile era arrived, he was the first agent here for Dodge Brothers. He also built a number of sites and business buildings. The structure now housing Thiel & Welter on Commercial street was one of Mr. Barlow's buildings.

LANDED AT FAIRHAVEN

Upon his arrival on Bellingham Bay, Mr. Barlow located at Fairhaven but moved across to the town of Whatcom two years later, first establishing a store on West Holly street and later moving to Commercial street. During his residence here he took time out to join in the Alaska gold rush of 1898-99, living at Dawson in the Yukon territory.

His association with the Masonic lodge dates back more than sixty-three years when he joined the order at Fremmington, Ill. When Mr. Barlow came west he joined Fairhaven Lodge No. 73, F.&A.M., and a few years ago was among older members of the order honored at a ceremony here. He was the oldest living member of the Fairhaven lodge in the point of both years and attendance. Mr. Barlow also was a member of the A.O.U.W., of Bellingham.

BORN IN NEW YORK
He was born in Clinton county, New York, March 19, 1848, and as a lad of 7 moved with his parents to Champaign county, Ill. Mr. Barlow lived in various Illinois communities, serving on the city council and as city treasurer of St. Elm, Ill., before he moved to Huron and thence to Fairhaven.

Immediate survivors include four sons, Dr. T.M. Barlow and C.H. Barlow of this city; C.L. Barlow, of Everett, and F. Glenn Barlow, of Alhambra, Calif.; two brothers, Blake and Alva Barlow, of Seattle; a sister, Mrs. Eleanor Hawley, of Boston, Mass., and numerous other relatives.

Funeral arrangements will be made by Bingham-Dahlquist.

Deaths:
BARLOW -- Frank J. Barlow, age 95 years, 701 Garden Street, passed away at a local hospital Wednesday, March 24, after a brief illness. Mr. Barlow was a resident of Bellingham for the past fifty-four years, was a retired merchant and a member of the Fairhaven Lodge No. 73, F. and A.M. Surviving relatives include four sons, C.H. and T. M. Barlow of Bellingham, C.L. Barlow of Everett, Wash.; and F. Glenn Barlow, of Alhambra, Calif.; two brothers, Blake and Alva Barlow of Seattle; one sister, Mrs. Eleanor Hawley, of Boston, Mass.; also numerous grand and great grandchildren. The remains are resting at the Bingham-Dalhquist funeral home where arrangements are being completed.

BARLOW -- Frank J. Barlow, age 95 years, 701 Garden Street, passed away at a local hospital Wednesday, March 24, after a brief illness. Mr. Barlow was a resident of Bellingham for the past fifty-four years, was a retired merchant and a member of the Fairhaven Lodge No. 73, F. and A.M. Surviving relatives include four sons, C.H. and T.M. Barlow of Bellingham, C.L. Barlow of Everett, Wash.; and F. Glenn Barlow, of Alhambra, Calif.; two brothers, Blake and Alva Barlow of Seattle; one sister, Mrs. Eleanor Hawley, of Boston, Mass.; also numerous grand and great grandchildren. The remains are resting at the Bingham-Dalhquist funeral home where private services will be conducted Saturday, March 27, at 3 p.m. by the Rev. James M. Wilson.  Interment will follow in Bay View Mausoleum.

The Tacoma News Tribune               Friday, 06 October 1944

JOHN FOSTER BARLOW, 78, died Wednesday at his residence at 1310 Market Street.  Born in Surrey Eng., he had been a flute player at the Savoy Theater, in his native land and had also been associated with the Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company.

There are no known survivors.

Funeral arrangements will be made by C. O. Lynn Company.

The Tacoma News Tribune            Thursday, 28 December 1944

Miss LEONA M. BARLOW, 21, was found Monday accidentally asphyxiated at her apartment in Seattle.   She had been employed in a Seattle laundry.

The family home is at Rt. 1, Box 400, Graham, were her parents, Mrs. and Mrs. Orval O. Barlow reside.

Wrigley & Clements of Puyallup will announce the funeral.

The Tacoma News Tribune       Friday, 16 July 1948           See also:    Estate papers of Margaret Barlow

Mrs. GEORGE [MARGARET] BARLOW, 63, died Thursday morning at her home, 6343 So. Mullen St. She was a member of the Church of the Holly Communion.

Surviving besides her husband, are daughter, Mrs. David Aherns; a son George H.; a sister, Mrs. Frank Edmunds; a brother, James Lawton, and four grandchildren, all of Tacoma. Piper will announce the services.

The Tacoma News Tribune               Wednesday, 23 July 1948

CLARENCE BARLOW, 66, retired Northern Pacific railroad conductor who had lived in Tacoma for 45 years, died Monday at his home, 702 So. K St.  He was born in Barlow Ore. he held memberships in the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, Joseph Warren lodge and the Moose.

He is survived by his wife, Helen Grace; two daughters, Mrs. Paul Thompson of Tacoma and Mrs. W. Johnson of Los Angeles, and a sister, Mrs. Frank Dole of Aberdeen. Piper will announce the services.

Longview Daily News               05 August 1953                 Copy of Original

JOHN P. BARLOW, 75, of Evergreen Terraces, Longview, died Aug. 5 in a Portland hospital. Born May 31, 1878, in Randville County, Minn. Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. C. B. Stufflebeam, Longview; two sons, Irving L. of Portland and Elmer of Rugby, N.D.; a sister, Mrs. Bertha Ferrell of Paradise, Calif., and for grandchildren. He ws a member of the Lutheran Church. Funeral services will be held in Minnesota, with interment in Eagle Bend, Minn. The Steele Funeral Home is in charge.

Tacoma News Tribune   11 January 1955           DOUGLAS LaDU BARLOW , son of CALVIN AND HERTILLA BARLOW

The Tacoma News Tribune               Wednesday, 12 September 1956

WALTER LEE BARLOW, 50 of 10522 Hudson St. SW, a professional soldier who retired from the army in 1950, died yesterday at his home.  He was born in Irvington Ga. and had been in the Tacoma area 20 years. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War.

Survivors included his wife Rachel; a son, William of Tacoma; a sister, Mrs. Lucy Davidson of Georgia; three brothers, Samuel and Clarence, both of Georgia and Russell of Maryland.

Services will be announced by Mountain View Funeral Home.

The Tacoma News Tribune                Monday, 04 April 1960

MRS. ALBERT (RACHEL S.) BARLOW, 84, of 536 Ramsdell Ave., Fircrest, died Sunday in a local hospital.  She was born in Young America, Minn. and had lived in Steilacoom before moving to her daughter's home in Fircrest in 1959. She was a member of the Oberlin Congregational Church in Steilacoom.

Surviving are six daughters, Mrs. Bernice Haas of Fircrest, Mrs. Irene Cook of Red Wing, Minn., Mrs. Eva O'Brien of Minneapolis, Mrs. Florence Bubar of Silverdale Wash., Mrs. Gladys Gibson of National City, Calif. and Mrs. Ruth Jones of Tacoma; Five sons, Alfred L. and Harry I. Owre of Tacoma, Earl V. Owre of Steilacoom, Leon E. Owre of Olympia and Leslie N. Owre of Santa Ana, Calif.; four sisters, Mrs. Dora Harmon of Hope N.D., Mrs. Lillie Rudolph of San Diego, Mrs. Viola Marcy of Parker, Ariz. and Mrs. Myrtle Winkler of Hopkins Minn.; Two brothers, George Thomas of Flint Mich. and Fred Thomas of Excelsior, Minn.; 32 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren.

Mountain View Funeral Home will announce the services.

LESTER RAY BARLOW, 68 of Graham, died Tuesday in a Puyallup Hospital. Born in Missouri, he came with his parents to Washington State 63 years ago in a covered wagon, and lived in Grandview until 1940, when he moved to Graham. Mrs. Barlow died in 1934.

Mr. Barlow was a retired logger.

Surviving are two sons, William of Graham and Lester R. Jr. of Winslow; three daughters, Mrs. Mollie Fairbanks, of Seattle, Mrs. Betty Winn, of Imperial, Beach, Calif. and Mrs. Mable Mae Kluth, of Sunnyside, three brothers, Fred and Oliver, both of Sunnyside and Clarence of Mabton; five sisters, Mrs. Florence Tweten, and Mrs. Edith Trimmer, both of Mabton, Mrs. Nora Wells, of Algona, Mrs. Mable Gabbart, of Wenatchee, and Mrs. Pearl Simpson, of Grandview; and 12 grandchildren.

Hill Funeral Home of Puyallup has sent the body to Sunnyside for services and burial.

Tacoma News Tribune          Thursday, 05 November 1964

MRS. GEORGE (LILY) BARLOW, 55, of 6243 S. Mullen St. died Wednesday in a local hospital. She was born in England and had lived here eight years.

Mrs. Barlow was a nurse's aid at the Georgian House Nursing Home. She was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, Cornish Club and NAAFL, a World War II service organization in England.

Surviving beside her husband are a daughter, Mrs. June Stockwell of Mc-Neil Island; a son, Harry Tomkins of Tacoma; a niece and four grandchildren.

Services will be announced by Mountain View Funeral Home.

The Tacoma News Tribune     Monday, 15 February 1965          Man Succumbs After Fall      Son of Margaret Barlow

GEORGE H. BARLOW, 49 of 2355 S. L. St. was dead upon arrival at a local hospital Sunday morning following a fall down stairs at his home.  Although it was still investigating, the Pierce County coroner's office said the fall may be linked to an apparent heart condition.

Born in Canada, Mr. Barlow had lived in Tacoma for 30 years. He was a truck driver and World War II veteran and a member of American Legion and Teamsters Union Local 313.

Surviving are his wife, Helen P.; a son, Jeffrey; a daughter, Georgean; his father, George Barlow; and a sister, Mrs. Gladys Aherns, all of Tacoma.

Services will be announced by the Piper Funeral Home.

The Tacoma News Tribune            17 May 1967                       Copy of Original

CHESTER S. BARLOW, 66, of 2203 N. Alder St., died Tuesday in a local nursing home. He was born in Eagle Bend, Minn., and had lived in Tacoma 40 years.

He was a 25 year member of the Carpenters Union Local 470 and the Good Fellowship Lodge.

He is survived by his wife, Josephine, of the home; two daughters, Mrs. Edmund J. Porter and Mrs. Richard D. Feldmann, both of Tacoma; four sons, Chester S. Jr., Dale M., Gerald W., and Mark T., all of Tacoma; a brother Joseph, of Tacoma; a sister; Mrs. Lee Post, of Kingman, Ariz.; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Services are announced by Piper Funeral Home.

The Tacoma News Tribune       November 25, 1969                       Copy of Original

MRS. CHESTER S. (JOSEPHINE E.) BARLOW, 61, of 638 N. Fife St., died Monday. She was born in Boddle, S.D., and lived in Tacoma 42 years.

Mrs. Barlow was a member of Sixth Avenue Baptist Church.

Survivors include four sons, Chester S. Jr., Dale M., Gerald W., and Mark T., all of Tacoma; two daughters, Mrs. Edmund J. (Maxine) Porter, and Mrs. Joyce Feldmann, both of Tacoma; three sisters, Mrs. Ema E. Roseland, of Beaverton, Ore., Mrs. Ben Heldt and Mrs. Floyd Fearing, both of Eagle Bend, Minn.; two half sisters, Mrs. Harry Diehl, of Illinois, and Mrs. John Patten, of California; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Services are announced by Piper Funeral Home.

ERNEST JAMES BARLOW, 54, of Yakima, died Wednesday (January 26, 1977), in Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital after a short illness.

He was born in Browning Montana on the Blackfeet reservation. He was raised there and served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

On November 21, 1951, he married Phyllis (Chickie) Wilkins in Ellenburg.

He had been a Greyhound Bus driver for 25 years. At the time of his death, Mr. Barlow was employed by Luxury Travel Club of Yakima. He came to Yakima three years ago.

Survivors are his wife; two daughters, Mrs. Susan Carole Anderson of Lynn, Mass., Mrs. LaVerne Jean McArthur of Yakima; two sons, Steven Paul Barlow of Yakima and James Wesley Barlow of Anchorage, Alaska; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Bird of Everett; four sisters, Mrs. Alice Turner and Mrs. Virginia Kennedy, both of Everett, Mrs. Selma Lyon of Kent and Mrs. Doris Wetzel of Helena Montana, three brothers, R. Lee Bird of Everett, Robert Barlow of Marysville and Earl Barlow of Browning, Montana, and six grandchildren.

BARLOW -
Funeral services for Ernest James Barlow, 54, of Yakima, who died Jan. 26, will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, January 20, in Keith and Keith Terrace, Heights Chapel. Rev. Frank Duffy, S.J. of St. Joseph's Catholic Church will officiate. Interment with full Military Honors, provided by the Veteran's of Foreign Wars, Yakima Post No. 379 will be conducted at the grave at Terrace Heights Memorial Park.

He was the beloved husband of Phyllis Barlow, father of two daughters, Susan Carol Anderson of Lynn, Mass., and LaVerne Jean McArthur of Yakima, two sons, Steven Paul Barlow, and James Wesley Barlow of Anchorage, Alaska; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Bird of Everett; four sisters, Mrs. Alice Turner, and Mrs. Virginia Kennedy of Everett, Mrs. Selma Lyon of Kent, and Mrs. Doris Wuetzel of Helena Montana; three brothers, R. Lee Bird of Everett, Robert Barlow of Marysville, Wa., and Earl Barlow of Browning, Montana, and 6 grandchildren.

KEITH & KEITH will be in charge of funeral arrangements.

The Tacoma News Tribune             04 November 1982          Copy of Original

LOUISE E. BARLOW, a retired luggage buyer for Peoples Store, died Tuesday at age 71.

She was born in Montana and resided in Tacoma the past 35 years. She was a member of the Knife and Fork Club, the Alpha Study Club and the Order of Eastern Star.

Mrs. Barlow also was a member of the First Christian Church.

Survivors include a daughter, Rose Marie Cotter of Hutchinson, Kan.; and four grandchildren.

Lynn Funeral Home is in charge.

The Tacoma News Tribune               17 March 1983                           Copy of Original

ROBERT A. BARLOW, 55, of Tacoma, a former autoworker in Michigan, died Monday.

Mr. Barlow was born in Selmer, Tenn., and had lived in Tacoma since 1974.

He was a member of the Pierce County Association for the Blind, the V.I.P. Club for the Blind and was an Army veteran of World War II.

Surviving are his wife, Inez; seven daughters, Janette Hurst and Geneva Weeks, both of Tennessee, Virginia Hogan of Dothan, Ala., Denice Fells of Milwaukee, Wis., Linda Johnson and Monique Barlow, both of Tacoma, and Joyce Casnave in Michigan; three sons, Robert Turner of Benton Harbor, Mich., Larry Barlow of Tacoma and Rodney Barlow of Galveston, Texas; a sister, Elnora Ramer of Selmer, Tenn.; and 11 grandchildren.

Mountain View Funeral Home is in charge.

The Tacoma News Tribune               07 September 1983               Copy of Original

ERNEST LENWOOD BARLOW died: Tuesday, September 06, 1983

Ernest Lenwood Barlow, 68, of Gig Harbor, died yesterday.

Mr. Barlow was born in Mississippi and was a retired machinist. He was an Army veteran of World War II and a member of American Legion.

Survivors include his wife, Anne M.; a son, Robert R. of Gig Harbor; two daughters; Theresa A. Hermann and Dolores Allen, both of Spokane; a sister Hilda Carruthers of Baton Rouge, La.; his mother, Isabell Robertson of Columbia, La., and three grandchildren.

Buckley-King Downtown is in charge.

The Tacoma News Tribune           12 December 1984                Copy of Original

GARY JOE BARLOW, 36, of Gig Harbor, who died Sunday, was an investor who held interests in several businesses.

Mr. Barlow was born in Stockton, Texas, and moved to Gig Harbor three years ago. He owned Alexander's restaurant in Salem, Ore., and had owned the Classic, a Gig Harbor restaurant, and he was a member of the Church of Latter-day Saints.

Surviving are his wife and four children, all of Gig Harbor; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Barlow of Boise, Idaho; three sisters, Sherrie Grundhauser of Tucson, Ariz., and Sheila and Dennise Maples, both of Waco, Texas; and two brothers, Roger and Tom Maples, both of Waco, Texas.

Morley-Mellinger Funeral Home is in charge.

The Tacoma News Tribune       04 December 1985                      Copy of Original

MILTON 'MICKEY' BARLOW, 83, of Tacoma, a former field engineer for Pacific Car and Foundry Co. of Seattle, died Sunday.

Mr. Barlow was born in Boise, Idaho, and moved to Tacoma from Seattle eight years ago. He had worked in 52 countries for Paccar, Oasis Oil and Aramco and was a member of the International Executive Service Corp.

There are no known survivors.

Mountain View Funeral Home is in charge.

Spokane, Washington        January 1987                  Copy of Original

DR. ELVERA L. BARLOW, assistant dean of student personnel services at Spokane Community College, died Saturday at her home. She was 48.

Service for Dr. Barlow will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Corner Christian Fellowship in Post Falls where she was a member. Burial will follow at Pines Cemetery in the Spokane Valley with Ball & Dodd Funeral Home South in charge.

A member of the Yurock Indian Tribe, she was born on the Hoopa Reservation in northern California, where her grandfather, a Norwegian, was the first white man on the reservation.

As a youngster, she learned to fly an airplane while still in high school, raced sports cars in hillclimbs and participated in competition in both sports and academic studies.

She received her bachelor's degree and master's degree from Humboldt State University and her doctoral degree in educational administration from Pennsylvania State University.

Barlow was a counselor and speech therapist in Eureka, California, and from 1976 to 1977 on a Rockefeller Fellowship was assistant to the president of North Idaho College in Coeur d' Alene.

She came to Spokane Community College as assistant dean of student personnel services in 1978.

Dr. Barlow recently received a citizen's award from the Spokane City Council for her work with the Mayor's Advisory Committee for Human Services.

She was past chairman of the United Way at Spokane Community College, was on the advisory board of KSPS - Public Television and was a member of the National Indian Education Association.

Survivors include her husband, Dr. Donald A. Barlow, one son, Aaron A. Brown of Spokane, one step-son, Jeffrey S. Barlow of Perrinton, Mich; two daughters, Laura L. Jordan and Donell L. Barlow, both of Spokane; her mother, Vera Ryerson of Eureka, Calif.; her father, Bud Ryerson of Hoopa, Calif.; and one granddaughter.

The family suggests memorials to a scholarship fund established in her name at Spokane Community College.

The Tacoma News Tribune            07 May 1996

BARLOW, Dorothy B., 70, Gig Harbor, died April 30.

The Tacoma News Tribune         03 May 1996

DOROTHY BERNICE BARLOW, born Nov. 21, 1925 in Grandview, WA, passed away April 30, 1996 in Tacoma, WA.  Bernice was born to Clark and Margaret Cabbage and was the eldest of 7 children.

She and her husband, VIRGIL, longtime residents of Federal Way, were married Oct. 21, 1944. Bernice and Virgil enjoyed traveling in their RV throughout Alaska and the Western United States. She was preceded in death by her sister, Lucille.

Survivors include husband, Virgil; son, James (Roberta); daughters, Sandra Earney (Tim), Cheryl Reagan (Keith) and Kathleen Brown (Gene); brothers, Earl, Kenneth and George; sisters, Lois and Margaret; 8 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter. Bernice was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother.

Graveside services 10:30 a.m. Mon., May 6, 1996 in the Mt. View Memorial Park followed by memorial services in the Mt. View Garden Chapel at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Joseph Hospice.

Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home. 584-0252.

Tacoma News Tribune        25 July 1997

ANNE BARLOW, 72, of Gig Harbor, passed away Mon., July 21, 1997.  She was a member of the Waconda Chapter, Order of Eastern Star. She loved to play in the garden.

Survived by son, Bob; daughter, Terry Herman; grandchildren, Derek Barlow, Sonya Griffee and Tami Herman; great granddaughter, Cerrisa Herman.

Memorial services Sat., 10 a.m. at Rosedale Union Church. Memorials may be made in her name to the Cancer Society.

The Tacoma News Tribune 26 July 1997
Death certificates filed with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department:    BARLOW, Anne M., 72, Gig Harbor, died July 21.

The Tacoma News Tribune            15 February 1997

The Seattle Times                 Thursday, 27 July 2000      by Carole Beers Seattle Times, staff reporter

HELEN BARLOW 'BROWNIE' HARRISON, a singer and voice teacher who once played Carnegie Hall and counted Washington pioneers in her family tree, made most of her role as family matriarch.  Although she had no children of her own, she was a loyal sister and doting aunt. She considered it both an honor and an enormous responsibility to share her ethics, sense of family history and love of the performing arts.

"She was just a wonderful aunt," said Jan Reinking of Bellevue, the wife of Harrison's nephew Richard Reinking. "It's a huge clan, and Brownie was the matriarch of it all. She was so good to everyone and even gave her niece (dancer-actress) Anne Reinking her very first singing lessons." It was also Miss Harrison who persuaded Reinking's mother to let the girl take voice lessons in the first place and who paid for some of Reinking's first dance classes, said Richard Reinking. "Brownie was the one who made things happen in our family," he said. "She kept us all together, nurturedour talents, and now we all feel like brothers and sisters more than cousins."

Miss Harrison died Monday (July 24) of health problems after knee surgery.

She was 94.  Born in Seattle and reared in the Leschi neighborhood, she traced her roots to one of the state's earliest registered pharmacists, Henry Elliott Holmes, and to some of its earliest physicians, E.B. and Agnes Harrison, who founded the former Madrona Inn on Orcas Island.

Miss Harrison started piano lessons at age 6, continuing for 11 years. A graduate of Garfield High School, she earned a degree in music at the University of Washington. She studied under famed soprano Lotte Lehmann. She then went to New York with a chaperone to try her luck as a professional singer; she studied for a year there with Lehmann's brother, Fritz Lehmann. He pronounced her voice "beautiful." Her solo concert of opera selections at Carnegie Hall garnered good reviews. "But she found life in New York too hard, the competition too cutthroat, so she decided to return to Seattle to teach music and do some singing," Richard Reinking said. During the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s she sang solos and directed the choir at Epiphany Parish (Episcopal). Her vocal range was mezzo-soprano. Some of her performances were recorded and last year were transferred to compact disc. Having lived in her classic Tudor home at Leschi since 1929, she was also active in the Ladies Musical Club, which helps support music students and presents concerts. She was club president from 1960 to 1962. "She was just a classic grande dame," said her nephew. "A very impressive woman whom many of us considered a surrogate mother."

Also surviving are her first cousins, Margaret Wallon and Ruth Hogue of Mercer Island, and nine other nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Aug. 12 at Epiphany Parish (Episcopal), 38th Avenue and East Denny Way, Seattle. Donations may go to the parish (ZIP: 98122).