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Gertrude Stack Obituary
Gertrude Wood Stack, age 96, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2013. Trudy's vibrant and caring personality lit up the lives of those around her.
Young Trudy was born in Snohomish, WA, the last of nine children to Grethe and William Washington Wood. Her mother was a pioneering landowner in the State and her father, a lumberman, with the Wood & Iverson Lumber Company in Hobart, WA. She grew up on Capitol Hill, attended Garfield High School and completed a music and education degree at the University of Washington. While there, she was active in the Tri Delta sorority. After teaching high school for one year in Cathlamet, WA, her adventurous spirit took her to Hawaii to work in 1941. Upon returning to the Northwest, she met the love of her life, Harold Stack, while skiing at Mt. Baker and they married in 1943 in San Diego while Harold was stationed at Long Beach in the Navy. After the War, they settled in Seattle and raised four children. Trudy's passion for art, dance, and music expressed itself in her artworks
and piano compositions.
Organizations dear to her included: Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Symphony, Pathfinders and Boys and Girls Club of Palm Springs, MOHAI, The Volunteer Park Conservatory, Arboretum, Woodland Park Zoo, Planned Parenthood, Fred Hutchison School, Swedish Medical Center, and UW Music Department. She and Harold took pride in funding a scholarship program for Roosevelt and Garfield High School students. Trudy loved golfing, the many friendships made at Broadmoor Golf Club, and spending winters in Rancho Mirage playing at Thunderbird C.C. They also traveled extensively, but entertaining family and friends at home brought her the most joy.
She is survived by her husband of 70 years, their four children, Sally Lehmann, Nancy Mack, Robert Stack, and Katie Stack, as well as six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Trudy's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 25, at Broadmoor Golf Club. Gifts in her memory may be made to The Arboretum Foundation or to Friends of Volunteer Park Conservatory.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gertrude Stack
Janice Jones Baldwin
May 24, 2013
What memories I have of the girlfriends from childhood: Trudy, Minty, Peggy, my mother Alice...and so many more. I so admired that generation! Trudy was an amazing woman with so many talents. I know she will be missed. I send my love and deep condolences to all the family.
Amalia Wood / McKinney
May 24, 2013
Trudy took the time a couple of years ago to pass on her story as we looked through old photos and paintings.. I really appreciated that day and her sharing family history with me so that I can pass that on too. My thoughts are with the immediate family at this time of reflection and gratitude for having had such a lovely woman in your lives.
flowers from the garden pciked 5-19-2013
Karen Guzak
May 24, 2013
Trudy's generosity of spirit was such a joy to us. We are so glad to have known her...even for a short time.
Hanna Waite
May 24, 2013
I certainly enjoyed my time with Trudy. Every valuble moment spent with her was a blessing.
Carolyn Baugh
May 24, 2013
Trudy was a feather-sized force of nature, a petite powerhouse of grit. We received the gift of her love of life's challenges when hearing the ring to her voice and seeing the gleam in her eye. She would call me up regularly when my parents were handling their challenges, in fact she would hunt me down whenever I forgot the voicemail message code on my parents' phone, and say, “Do you need anything?” Never “can I do something for you” – she respected me too much! She always expected me to be like her and like Harold, Lolly, and Bob… to rally my energy and stand tall in the face of whatever came my way. But she announced that she was at the ready, an able wing man, asking, “Is anyone bothering you? I'll talk to them if they are, or Harold will!” Imagining pint-sized Trudy putting someone back on their heels would make me smile as I poured myself through the phone receiver to soak up her passion for living. Trudy gave me strength, generously and lovingly. And no truer friend than Trudy could be found. Trudy wrote my mother a card twice a month for nearly ten years, really. One day I asked how she came to know my mother. Trudy responded as a matter of fact, “We met on a ski trip. I immediately became quite ill. To others, I was Typhoid Mary. Lolly nursed me back to good health.” Boom. In Trudy's book of life, a single exchange of loving care garnered over 50 years of loyal friendship. Most of all, I enjoyed sharing with Trudy slices of our life with our kids. She was tickled that my son has character, good humor, and tenacity. When Trudy talked about her children whom I had known while growing up, she proudly described how resilient and fun you are as adults and parents. She so loved her times spent with all of you and you inspired her by how you live. The ever indomitable spirit, Trudy gave no hint of her questioning the eventual outcome of your tackling the random obstacles and illnesses that come, only her delight that you embody her zest for life. With love and tears, your friend Carolyn
May 23, 2013
Trudy was a true joy to have known. Brightly witted, sharp of tongue and funny, she held our imaginations as she recounted stories of our beloved Conservatory and Volunteer Park from her childhood. She appeared in our capital campaign video in 2010, as young and vibrant as ever, poking fun at the jade plant for sharing a birth year with her.
We deeply appreciated her support and generosity, her humor and her style. Are hearts are with her family and wide circle of friends at this time. Peace to all.
The Friends of the Conservatory
May 23, 2013
The Medic One Foundation sends sincere condolences to the family and deep appreciation for Mrs. Stack's philanthropic spirit. Her generosity saved lives.
RICHARD HORNOR
May 23, 2013
Very sad news. Several times a year I spoke with Trudy and we exchanged the occasional card. The last one was just a couple of weeks ago.She was always so "up" that she gave the impression that she was thirty-something and not ninety-something. I will miss our chats. My condolences to the Wood family on the loss of such a wonderful person. Cousin Richard.
dave ederer
May 22, 2013
A VERY special person indeed. Truly a joy to be with. I LOVED her enthusiasm. I was inspired by her love of life. Thank you Trudy for the gift of being one your many friends. You are and will be missed.
Dave
May 22, 2013
Trudy was a devoted and generous friend of the Snohomish Historical Society, sending us items as she organized for the move to the condo. The Stack Family Foundation supported the Society's purchase of museum software and funds to hire an intern in 2008. Her father was Mayor of Snohomish and just today I came across a short story in a 1910 issue of the Tribune reporting that he had "purchased a summer residence at Moclips and left the city Monday with his family to spend the summer there." Trudy would have been so excited to receive a copy.
Trude and Harold at their 70th wedding anniversary (Seattle Yacht Club 2012)
Jon Waite
May 22, 2013
Aunt Trudy was a very understated but awesome influence in my life while growing-up, and even more so in recent years. I'll miss her quick wit, and even quicker phone calls!
She's meant more to me and my family that I don't think I've ever been able to express. She's the last of her generation and I'll miss her so.
She's had a truly incredible life and I'm fortunate to have had such a wonderful aunt!
Lisa Blanchard
May 22, 2013
Trudy was indeed a dear and amazing woman. I worked with her on the new condo and she brought light, laughter and joy to everyday. You will be so missed!
katie stack
May 22, 2013
Mom,
You are indeed a very bright light in my life and so many others. I can feel your presence and love always. Rest assured that we will all take great care of Dad. I am comforted knowing that you will be there to greet me, in our special way, when it is my time to leave my earthly body. Oh, how I miss you Mom. I am so blessed to have had you in my life for so long.
Your Loving Daughter,
Katie
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