Another angel has completed her earthly duties and returned home. Tanya Jean Gitchel (Thompson) passed away peacefully on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, at Mason General Hospital in Shelton surrounded by her loved ones. She was 55 years young.
Tanya was born on Jan. 3, 1968, to Terry Dianne Thompson (Graham) and Terry Oliver “T.O.” Thompson at Grays Harbor Hospital in Aberdeen. She was raised in the Ocosta area with her three siblings, Terry (Dean), Tammy Lynn and Carolyn “Kizzy.” She attended schools in Ocosta. Her mom, Terry, would often take Tanya and her siblings camping, sometimes spending the entire summer in the woods. Fiercely independent from a young age, she met the love of her life, Gregory, at the age of 13. The following year on June 26, 1982, she gave birth to their oldest son, Gregory Joe Blair. During this time she worked various jobs to support her family, including The Cookie Store in the SouthShore Mall, 7-11, and Aberdeen Health and Rehab.
Tanya and Greg married on Dec. 24, 1986, in Aberdeen. On June 16, 1992, Tanya gave birth to their second son, Gordon Michael Adam. During these years, she and Greg lived in various places on the Washington coast, including Nahcotta and Oysterville. Three years later on Nov. 15, 1995, Tanya and Greg welcomed their daughter, Elizabeth Joyce Dianne, into the world. They also began establishing their family home in Aberdeen that year. Tanya spent the next few years staying home to raise her children, and in June of 1998, she received her GED from Grays Harbor College.
She returned to the workforce in 2000 as an assistant cook for the Aberdeen school district. From 2000 to 2012 she worked at various local schools, including Stevens Elementary, Robert Gray Elementary, AJ West Elementary, Miller Junior High, Harbor High and Aberdeen High school, working as an assistant or head cook. She also loved working for the Summer Lunch Program. While working at Robert Gray Elementary, she secured funding for the school to receive a grant giving all students access to fresh fruits and vegetables twice a day. She was always passionate about a child’s access to healthy meals.
Years of working hard and being a mother took its toll on Tanya’s body, and she retired from the school district in 2012 in order to have back surgery, as well as take care of her mom, Terry, full time. She excelled in providing her with the care she needed during the last years of her life.
In 2017, Tanya started working at Swanson’s diner in South Aberdeen, quickly becoming a customer favorite for her quick service, delicious food and friendly smile. She eventually took over ownership of the diner, a lifelong dream of hers, running it until 2021. At that time her sister, Kizzy, took over due to Tanya’s declining health.
She loved cooking and baking for others, and would often volunteer to cater events for family and friends. No one ever went hungry when Tanya was around. An avid baker, always willing to whip up a birthday cake or a little wild blackberry pie. She loved waking up early in the morning to pack her husband’s lunch every day before work, and took pride in keeping her home clean and filled with food, love and laughter. She enjoyed spending her time gardening, canning jam and tuna, camping, clam digging, thrift shopping, helping others, drinking coffee, wearing her favorite color purple, and being an amazing mom and wife. A true matriarch, she loved getting her family together for holiday meals and birthday parties. She always put the needs of those she loved before her own. She truly gave her all in everything she did and went above and beyond to make others happy. She collected anything and everything with angels on it, most likely because she was one herself.
Tanya is preceded in death by her mother, Terry Dianne Whitlock (Graham); her father, Terry Oliver, “T.O.” Thompson; and her sister, Tammy Lynn Anderson. She is survived by her husband, Gregory Paul Gitchel; her sons, Gregory Joe Blair and Gordon Michael Adam; her daughter, Elizabeth Joyce Dianne; her grandson, Gregory Allen Joseph; her brother, Terry (Dean) Thompson; her sister, Carolyn “Kizzy”Louise Sanchez; and numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and cousins.
Final arrangements have been made through Harrison Family Mortuary, and a celebration of life event will be held on March 11 at noon, located at the Ocosta Recreation Hall.
