Edith S. Middleton, age 84, passed away in her Seattle home on Jan 21, 2017. In the end, she was surrounded by her family and by her beloved dog all of whom will miss her greatly.

She was a passionate advocate for improving educational and recreational opportunities for young people. From acting as President of the Aberdeen YMCA Swim Team to founding the Grays Harbor Women’s Tennis Club, part of which became the girl’s high school tennis team, she gave enthusiastically to her children’s activities and to her community.

Edie was an avid believer in the benefits of summer camps. Her long-term relationship with Waukeela Camp for Girls in Eaton Center, N.H. began as a young camper where she made life long friends and developed her love of hiking, canoeing and tennis. She continued as a counselor and boating instructor and eventually became the Owner and Director. She felt that the opportunity to mentor young women was the greatest benefit of her association with Waukeela. Edie was also involved with the Aberdeen YMCA Camp Bishop Board of Directors and a variety of regional and national positions with the American Camping Association. In her seventies, she once again became a counselor at Camp Siznani in South Africa, which gives girls from South Africa’s townships who are affected by, or at risk of AIDS, an opportunity to enjoy an American style camping experience and to partake in health and wellness education.

Edie was born in Providence, R.I., the daughter of George Frederick Swanson and Beulah Hassam Swanson. She was predeceased by her parents and by her brother Andrew P. Swanson. Edie attended the Mary C. Wheeler School for Girls, which in 2000 awarded her their Founders Day Award for service to the School. In 1954 she graduated from Mount Holyoke College for Women with a Bachelor of Arts in Zoology. She was a member of her Class and College Choirs and was President of the Outing Club. As an alumna, she volunteered as an admissions interviewer and served on a variety of committees for her Class Reunions and Capital Campaign Steering Committees. In 2009 Edie was awarded the Medal of Honor for her outstanding alumna service. She also received a Masters in Teaching in 1959 from Brown University. After College she worked in Massachusetts as a teacher at Concord Academy and then as a Lab Technician at Harvard Medical School. In 1959 she moved to Seattle and began work as a Lab Technician at Virginia Mason Hospital.

At a Junior Club party in Seattle, Edie met Richard W. Middleton from Aberdeen, Wash. After a whirlwind courtship, they were married in 1960. She moved then to Aberdeen, where she and Rick raised their children — Jennifer Lee Middleton, Kristin Marie Middleton and Richard Westbrook Middleton Jr., to whom they passed on their shared love of skiing, tennis and travel. She also leaves her son-in-law Tony Lupino, daughter-in-law Ellen Middleton and her beloved grandchildren, Richard Westbrook Middleton, III and Alexandra Weyerhaeuser Middleton. Edie was a devoted mother and grandmother who delighted in attending her family’s performances and competitions.

In the 1990’s she and Rick moved to Seattle and also spent part of the year at their home in Sun Valley, Idaho. After a marriage of over 42 years, Rick passed away in 2002. Both in Aberdeen and Seattle, Edie worked as a Realtor for over 40 years. After her move to Seattle, she became a Board Member of The Seattle Girl’s School. Her involvement with the school was a great source of pride and enjoyment. As well as her involvement in many local organizations, Edie was an active church volunteer and choir member in all the communities in which she resided. She was also a member of the Women’s University Club, Seattle Tennis Club and the Ancient Skiers Club.

Services will be held on Thursday, Feb. 16 at Bellevue First United Methodist Church, 1934 108th Ave NE at 11 am. A reception will follow at the Skyline Sky Club, 725 9th Avenue, Seattle from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.

In Lieu of Flowers, donations can be made to Edie’s Favorite Charities:

YMCA of Gray’s Harbor

Camp Bishop Fund

2500 Simpson Avenue, Hoquiam, WA 98550

360-537-9622

www.ghymca.net

Seattle Girl’s School

2706 S Jackson Street, Seattle, WA 98144

206-709-2228

www.seattlegirlsschool.org

Camp Rainbow Gold

216 West Jefferson, Boise, ID 83702

208-928-7802

www.camprainbowgold.org