In Memoriam

MARJORIE MCKEE CADWALLADER ’56 died October 6, 2004. She was 70 years old. Marjorie tutored at Valley View School in Great Falls, Montana, and was actively involved in her church; Christian Women’s Club; Church Women United; “For the Children,” a group that helps at-risk children; and the American Association of University Women. Predeceased by her husband, Tom, Marjorie is survived by three daughters; five grandchildren; and one sister, ROBERTA MCKEE ’52.

RALPH HITCHMAN ’72 died September 1, 2004, of kidney disease. He was 59 years old. Born and raised in Seattle, Ralph served for four years in the U.S. Air Force after graduating from SPC. He lived in Anacortes, Washington, and in addition to working in executive positions, was an enthusiastic golfer and a charter member of Mill Creek (Washington) Kiwanis. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Dee Buer; one son; and one daughter.

VIRGINIA WENZELBURGER KELLER ’30 died October 22, 2004, at the age of 95. Born in Tacoma, Washington, Virginia grew up on a wheat ranch in Eastern Washington. After receiving a teaching degree at SPC, she taught elementary school for 33 years in Washington and Alaska schools, retiring in 1967 from Tacoma (Washington) Public Schools. Virginia made her home in Federal Way, Washington, and was an avid traveler, taking trips throughout the world. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Howard; two daughters; one grandson; and three great-grandchildren.

GAIL NANK PH.D. ’03 died November 15, 2004, after battling colon cancer for many years. She was 63 years old. Gail attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, before transferring to the Columbia University School of Nursing in New York, New York, where she received a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1964. She earned a master’s degree in 1970 from the University of Washington. Despite three major operations for cancer, almost continuous chemotherapy for nine years, and a knee replacement, Gail continued in her studies and her clinical practice, earning a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from SPU in August 2003. Gail is survived by one son, one daughter, and one granddaughter.

RICHARD STITT ’60 died of cancer on November 14, 2004. He was 74 years old. A longtime Alaska Native leader, Richard was part of management teams that formed Sealaska, the regional corporation for Southeast Alaskan Natives, and made the Tlingit-Haida Central Council (THCC) the first Alaska tribe to sign contracts with the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs to run its social programs. At the time of his death, he was the self-governance coordinator for the THCC, a director at Sealaska, and an Alaska Native Brotherhood executive committee member. Richard was born in Alaska and served in the U.S. Marines during the Korean Conflict. Once home, he graduated from SPC and became involved in Alaska Native organizations. Richard is survived by his wife, Teresa; one daughter; two sons; five grandchildren, including TERESA STITT FOSTER ’03; and two great-granddaughters.

EMILY SOULE-HESSE ’03 was hit and killed by a car on December 8, 2004. She was 23 years old. Emily was coordinator of volunteers for the Seattle office of the National Eating Disorders Association. She and her husband, GAVIN HESSE ’03, were active in the SPU Young Alumni Council. During her time at SPU, Emily was elected Homecoming princess, served as both a peer advisor and student ministry coordinator in Hill Hall, helped found the Quest women’s mission trip to San Francisco, and was also a founding member of the intercultural cadre Mosaic. She is survived by Gavin, her parents, and sisters SPU senior REBEKAH SOULE and SPU freshman JESSICA SOULE.

JAMES “DENNY” WILLIAMS ’60 died October 25, 2004, from a rare type of cancer. He was 70 years old. James worked as a juvenile probation officer, and then as a counselor and resident supervisor for Job Corps in Oregon. He also worked for 30 years as an educational specialist for the U.S. Army in Belgium, Southern California, and Northern California. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, BETTY BYSTROM WILLIAMS ’59; one son; one daughter; and five grandchildren.

CLARENCE WILLIAMSON ’43 died October 22, 2004. He was 85 years old. Born in Iowa, Clarence was the son of a Free Methodist minister. After graduating from Central College in McPherson, Kansas, he entered SPC, working his way through school as a bookkeeper. In 1941, he married DOROTHY FRYER ’39. They were married for 59 years and had four children. Clarence worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 38 years, retiring as tour superintendent. He also ran a Seattle bookkeeping and tax service for 54 years. Dorothy died in 2000, and Clarence married Ferne McRae two years later. He is survived by Ferne; one daughter, BETTY WILLIAMSON CHAN ’67; and three sons, including DAVID WILLIAMSON ’73 and ALAN WILLIAMSON ’75.

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