Rosalie Williamson

Rosalie Ellen Larson Williamson passed peacefully into the next world on Sunday, October 26th, 2025, a few minutes after sundown under a sliver of the autumn moon.
Rosalie's life (from her childhood memories of the family Victory Garden during WWII, through her last witty and appreciative remarks to the nurses and staff providing her care in October) was full of love and light and laughter and service to others. She and her husband Gary Williamson shared a true love story that was witnessed and enjoyed by all of their friends and family. Rosalie believed that most days can be made better by the offer of a half-sandwich, chips, and a pickle.
You may know Rosalie Williamson in one or more of her many roles (as a baker's daughter, wife, mother, family member, educator, helper, advocate, fundraiser, walker, runner, golfer, three-part-harmony singer, avid jitterbug and jazz music dancer, and as the person who could make just the witty comment you needed just when you needed it). If you or your children attended Purdy Elementary School in Gig Harbor, Washington between 1970 and 1997, you may have met Rosalie as the Office Manager, or as "The Playground Duty." Rosalie always said about the kids to whom she gave so much at Purdy Elementary, "I registered them for Kindergarten, and I registered them to vote." You may also have met Rosalie in a number of community, civic, or social activities over the years. She was a long-term donor to Mary Bridge Children's Hospital.
Rosalie Larson Williamson was born in Seattle in 1937 and lived most of her childhood in Potlatch on Hood Canal (where her parents owned a bakery, grocery, and fountain lunch called Coffee's On, and where her mother later served as the local postmaster), and most of her adult life in North Rosedale and Gig Harbor. She graduated from Shelton High School in 1955, and attended the University of Washington in 1956-57. She and Gary were married in 1958 in Shelton, and moved to the Gig Harbor area in 1959 where they had successful careers with the Peninsula School District. They were fixtures of the elementary education program for four decades, and many of their lifelong friends also worked in local schools. Rosalie did not get to travel much in her childhood (because she was busy making donuts or delivering butter-horns for the bakery). In retirement, Rosalie and Gary were fortunate to travel nationally and internationally.
Rosalie and Gary were married for nearly 68 years, and found inspiration and support from a wide range of dear friends and colleagues in the Gig Harbor community over the decades, as well as their children and family. Rosalie and Gary walked through Gig Harbor often, and would run into so many former students, or their children, or their grandchildren. These conversations always brought Rosalie so much joy. "We are SO fortunate," said Rosalie this summer. "Our lives have been filled with so many blessings and fruits."
"The moon is in the sky," said Gary, as his beloved slipped into the next world. "This will be our last dance to 'Moonglow," (which was their favorite dance song).
"It's been a great trip," Rosalie said two weeks ago. "I think I'll come back."
Rosalie was born the third child of Sven Larson (Larsson) from Udevalla, Sweden, and Dorothy Belle Bitney Larson from Des Moines, Iowa, USA.
Rosalie is preceded in death by both of her parents; her older siblings Sonja Larson McNabb and Ronald Larson; her younger sibling Gloria Larson Clark (Dave), and her sons Todd Williamson and Chris Williamson (Willow), and step-grandson Brett Kruger.
She is survived by her husband Gary; her younger sister Nadine Larsson; her son Greg (Kathleen); her daughter-in-law Willow Williamson; her nephews and nieces Scott McNabb (Sara), Lars Larsson (Kylin), Alexis Larsson, Ellen Williamson-Jones (Richie), Kurt Williamson, Tyler Williamson (Tina); nephew Jim Clark; nephews Daniel, Nicholas, William, James, and Ronald Larson; and a beautiful group of step-grandchildren, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Gig Harbor History Museum; there is a link attached below Rosalie's obituary. More information about Rosalie and a celebration of life event is available at the Haven of Rest web page: www.havenrest.com