Geraldine M Apa's Obituary
Geraldine M. Apa (Ackerman), 91, of Tacoma, Washington, died on Thursday, November 22, 2018, with family at her side.
Born March 22, 1927 in Tacoma, Washington, Gerrie was the youngest of two children of John P. and Mary A. (Long) Ackerman. Raised in the Proctor District during the Depression, her family made the most of what they had in hard times. She was part of a family and community that embraced hard work, sacrifice, friendship, generosity and compassion, and these values were the hallmarks of her life.
Gerrie lived an adventure-filled childhood, exploring the neighborhood and local woods with friends. At 10 cents each, they took in movies at the local theater, including the debut of Gone with the Wind. Gerrie insisted on playing baseball with the boys and skied with her sister and friends on Mt. Rainier, making runs at Paradise without a chairlift or rope tow in the 1930s. She enjoyed the outdoors, with regular trips to Point Defiance Park and Owen Beach, and navigated Commencement Bay and greater Puget Sound as part of an early Mariner Girl Scout troop.
She attended Tacoma Public Schools, including Stadium High School during World War II, amidst blackout drills and war bond drives, which she helped lead at the school. She graduated from Stadium in 1944. Gerrie crossed the state to attend Washington State College, where she pursued her interest in the medical field. A proud Cougar, she graduated with a degree in bacteriology and public health in 1948.
After college, she joined the 6th Army Area Branch Lab at Fort Lewis as a microbiologist, supporting medical needs for post-war troops on the West Coast. Following that, she became a lab technician for Pierce County Hospital, and there met her future husband, Dr. Theodore Apa. They married in 1955 at St. Patrick Church in Tacoma. Together, they raised a family in Parkland with daughter Mary Ann and son James.
For over 20 years until her retirement, Gerrie served as an avian microbiologist at the Washington State University (WSU) Research and Extension Center in Puyallup, part of the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine. Her attention to detail, intellectual curiosity and collegial spirit shone through as her team provided diagnostic services to all avian species and did cutting-edge virology work.
Gerrie’s life was filled with hospitality, friendships, family and faith. She was an accomplished and prolific cook and dessert maker, and enjoyed entertaining. A devoted sister and friend, Gerrie sustained relationships from childhood that lasted her entire life. Gerrie relished being with her family, and looked after those close to her in ways big and small. She lived her faith with service to her church and people in need throughout her life.
Gerrie is survived by her children, Mary Ann Woodruff, University Place, WA, and James Apa, Seattle, WA, son-in-law Mitch Woodruff, grandchildren Ariel Woodruff, Piper Leiper (Vaughan), and Alec Woodruff, nephews John Sanders (Sandi) and Don Sanders (Donna), great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by husband Theodore Apa and sister Lorraine Sanders.
Mass will be held for Gerrie on Saturday, December 8th at 1 p.m. at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in Spanaway, WA, her parish for over 50 years. A reception will follow. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Leo Food Connection (foodconnection.org) and the Southern Poverty Law Center (splcenter.org). Gratitude and love to the legion of Gerrie’s caregivers at the Weatherly Inn, CHI Franciscan hospice staff, Dr. Richard Waltman and devoted friends and family.
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