Gayanne Gray Hjelden, 77, Hoquiam resident and former secretary at Immanuel Baptist Church, passed away on Jan. 10, 2022, at her home with her family around her.
Gayanne was born in Aberdeen, Washington on May 27, 1944, to Perry Arulus and Marian Emma (Waltenspiel) Gray. She graduated from Hoquiam High School in 1962.
She married Nick Burress on August 10, 1962. They later divorced on July 30, 1971.
She married Kim Hjelden on April 11, 1975. He resides at the family home in Hoquiam.
Gayanne worked for ITT Rayonier, then for Grays Harbor Paper Company and Industrial Cut Stock. She also worked as a maid and housekeeper. She bartended and worked for Capri Realty of Marysville, Washington and Big Scoop Ice Cream Parlor also in Marysville. When she returned to Hoquiam she worked for 7-Eleven in Hoquiam. She was secretary at Immanuel Baptist Church for 14 years. She was also the secretary for the church board for many years.
From a young age she enjoyed singing and music. In her senior year in high school she was chosen all-state chorus. She sang for many funerals, weddings and church events. She also sang occasionally on Channel 20. She loved crafts, knitting, learned floral arranging from Dorothy Mann, writing poetry and letters, baking and entertaining at home for her family and friends.
She was a member of the Hoquiam YMCA Circle, #8, YMCA Auxiliary President, YMCA board member, member of Immanuel Baptist Church since 1975, AWANA Secretary, served as children’s church teacher, and sang on the worship team at Immanuel. Gayanne was an active member of Harbor Faith Riders the local chapter of the Christian Motorcycle Association.
She was a foster parent, hosted 10 Japanese students and one Japanese teacher. She also enjoyed collecting frogs.
Gayanne is survived by her husband of 46 years, Kim Hjelden of Hoquiam; a daughter, Marianne Virginia “Ginger” (Paul) Dubuque of Aberdeen; grandsons: Nicholas Burgess, Justin Burris, Isaac Appletoft and Aaron Dubuque; granddaughter, Hollie Poukkula Graham; great-grandsons: Mason Graham, Lennon Burgess, Jayden Appletoft; great-granddaughters: Siana Graham, Alayhia and Ami-Lei Burris and Maycee and MacKenzie Bonell; a brother, Dennis Gray of Hoquiam; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by a son, Benjamin Allen Burris on Aug. 12, 1997.
There will be a time of visitation and viewing on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, from 1 to 8 p.m. at Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen. A celebration of her life will be held on Jan. 28, 2022, at 1 p.m. in Immanuel Baptist Church, 1200 Seoul Ave., Hoquiam, Washington. A reception will follow. She will be inurned at Fern Hill cemetery in Aberdeen.
Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home Aberdeen, Washington.
