Hilda Marie Woolley

1935 - 2025

Hilda Marie Woolley June 17, 1935 - December 30, 2025 Our Dear Mother, Hilda Woolley, 90, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2025 in Gig Harbor, WA. Hilda was born June 17, 1935 in Cle Elum, WA. to Thomas and Hilda Woodward, English immigrants who came to Roslyn in the early 1920's seeking a better life. Hilda grew up in Roslyn and attended Roslyn Grade School with her older sister Florence. While she was young, her parents gifted her a piano which began a lifelong passion of playing the piano and singing. Hilda was active in the Roslyn Episcopal Church playing the organ and singing in the choir.

Hilda graduated from Cle Elum High School with the class of 1953. She then struck out on her own to "the coast" working as a telephone operator in Seattle, all the while keeping in close contact with her high school sweetheart, Donald Woolley of Ronald, WA. Hilda and Don married April 2, 1955 and began their life together in Ronald with three children soon following, Don Jr., Mike, and Carrie.

The Post Office! In 1959, Hilda was appointed as the Postmaster in Ronald. She followed in her father's footsteps, as he had been the long time Postmaster in Roslyn. Being such a small post office, it was located in a room of the Woolley's home. Over time, Don built a new larger home addition to accommodate the post office. Hilda was so proud to serve as Postmaster and loved to greet and converse with the residents of Ronald and the Lake Cle Elum community. She retired after serving for 33 years.

For many years, while living in Ronald, Hilda was honored to be Santa's helper on Christmas Eve. She busily prepared gift bags for children anxiously awaiting Santa's arrival on the fire truck at the post office Christmas tree. It was one of her favorite holiday community events.

After retirement, Don and Hilda built a home at the Sun Country Golf Course, where she could enjoy her passion for golf. Hilda was a member of the Sun Country Ladies Golf Club and really enjoyed the ladies golf trip each year to play courses all around the Pacific Northwest. Hilda also spent many winters in Cottonwood, AZ, where she enjoyed time with her son Don, volunteered at the local hospital, sang in a local choir and played golf.

Hilda and Don were happily married for over 60 years. They loved to travel, especially trips to England to visit family, Hawaii, Mexico and Canada. Hilda dedicated her life to creating a warm and nurturing home for her husband Don and their 3 children. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family and grandchildren, who were always greeted with her warm beautiful smile. Hilda was a Den Mother, Camp Fire leader, a member of Eastern Star, Amaranth, the Cle Elum Eagles and the Ronald Community Club.

In 2015, Hilda moved to Gig Harbor, WA to be closer to her two children, Mike and Carrie.

Hilda is survived by her son Don Woolley Jr. of Cottonwood, AZ, her son Mike (Cathi) Woolley of North Bend, WA, her daughter Carrie (John) Cullum of Edmonds, WA, her grandchildren, Emily Woolley of Bend, OR, Brian (Erin) Woolley of Seattle, WA. She is also survived by her niece Portia (Wes) Smith and her nephews Richard Grillo and Kevin (Sherri) Grillo.

In loving memory of Hilda, the family kindly requests donations be made to: The Ronald Community Club, P.O. Box 249, Roslyn, WA 98941.

Online condolences may be left for the family at: https://havenrest.com/obituaries/hilda-woolley