Emma G. Otis' Obituary
Emma Gustava Otis was born on October 22, 1901 in Lawson, Washington (Now Black Diamond) to Emma Thoren Erikson and John Erikson. She died on October 25, 2015 at the age of 114. When she was five years old her mother moved Emma and her four sisters to Gig Harbor. She attended a two-room school house (now located behind the museum in Gig Harbor) where she was a good student and active in sports. She probably did more than her share of chores to help her family, including chopping wood and delivering papers. Early on she developed a love of the outdoors which gave her great pleasure throughout her life. The school in Gig Harbor ended at the end of ninth grade so she took the ferry to Tacoma to attend Stadium High School.
In 1919 she moved to Tacoma to attend the School of Nursing at Tacoma General Hospital. She met her husband, Robin Elbert Otis, on a blind date and they were married in Olympia on January 5, 1921. They were the parents of three children: Shirley Mae Otis Clark (Fred), Doris Marilyn Otis Davies (Floyd) and Robin Elbert Otis, Jr. (Marguerite). Emma and Robin lived out their lives in Tacoma and University Place.
She was an avid member the Girl Scouts of America and held many positions within that organization, including helping to establish St. Albans Girl Scout camp in Allyn, Washington. “Mama” Otis was recognized as the oldest Girl Scout in America on her 112th birthday. After Robin’s death in 1961, she became very involved with the Tyler Assembly International Order of Rainbow Girls as Mother Advisor, Grand Deputy, and Tour Director. She also belonged to Tyler Chapter Order of Eastern Star, Daughters of America, and University Place Presbyterian Church.
Emma traveled extensively around the United States and internationally. Her most enjoyable trip was to the Holy Land at age 78. She often shared stories of her trip to Egypt where she rode a camel at age 69 , rode a mule down to the floor of the Grand Canyon and back at age 76, and traveled to Sweden at age 89 to visit her mother’s birthplace. Emma also loved the outdoors, birds (but not cats!!!), gardening/flowers, hiking and backpacking the Olympics, reading, and spending time with family.
In 2007 she moved to Harbor House in Poulsbo, Washington where she lived out her last years in a most caring and loving atmosphere. At the time of her passing she was the oldest living person in the State of Washington, and the 2nd oldest living supercentenarian in the United States. She will tell you her longevity was due to her stubborn Swedish Genes which caused her to be fiercely independent. At Harbor House her most prized possession was a Girl Scout doll.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Emma White and John Erikson; her husband, Robin Elbert Otis; her sisters, Annie Sophia Schulz, Alice Carolina Hayes, Esther Louise Chase, and Ethel Leona Rasmussen; daughter Shirley Mae Otis Clark and son-in law, Fred; son, Robin Elbert Otis, Jr. and daughter-in-law Marguerite; and son-in-law Floyd Edmond Davies. She is survived by daughter Doris Marilyn Otis Davies of Hansville, Washington, 9 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and 23 great great grandchildren.
She will be laid to rest with Robin Otis during a graveside service at Mountain View Funeral Home and Memorial Park in Lakewood on Friday, November 27th at 1:00 pm.
A reception will immediately follow the service at the Lakewood Elks Lodge; 6313 75th St W
(75th & Bridgeport), Lakewood, WA 98499.
In lieu of flowers, donations made be made in her name to Girl Scouts of Western Washington (601 Valley Street, Seattle, WA 98109 Attn: Carrie Plank) or to an organization of your choice.
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