Otis Douglas Hyde's Obituary
Otis Douglas Hyde
Feb. 20, 1912 - March 19, 2009
Otis Douglas Hyde was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Annie Mayes and William Brown February 20 of 1912. Raised in Oregon and Idaho, she graduated from Lake Oswego High School. She attended Reed College and graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Washington. She was a proud member of Phi Beta Kappa. A great lover of nature and the arts, she was an avid and knowledgeable birder and horticulturist. A Master Gardener, she was a co-founder of the Native Species Garden at Point Defiance and founder of the Otis Douglas Hyde Herbarium at the University of Washington. She was a longtime member and served as president of the Tacoma Garden Club, Junior League, Sunset and Aloha Clubs. A lively interest in the arts led to her patronage of many arts organizations and Northwest artists, including the Tacoma Art Museum, the Joffrey Ballet, and the Seattle Symphony and Opera. She was also a supporter of the Annie Wright Seminary and Charles Wright Academy. She served for several years as a Brownie Troop leader, where she excelled in teaching her young troops plant and bird identification in addition to natural history. Her prodigious intellect and limitless curiosity encouraged in-depth exploration of many international cultures. Her numerous collections included furniture, porcelain, and the native and ornamental plants which surrounded her lovely home. Fondly known by many as "Aunt Otie" she gladly shared her vast knowledge and collections with friends and family. Similarly, she encouraged and supported her family's pursuit of their passions and interests. During retirement, she and her husband Charles Henry Hyde enjoyed taking horticultural and birding classes at the University of Washington and traveled abroad extensively. Truly a lifelong learner, before each trip she prepared by reading in depth about the native culture, flora and fauna. Predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Charles Henry Hyde, she is survived by her daughters, Douglas Ann Land of Ithaca, New York, and Christopher Jane Lee of London, England, and her son Charles Henry Hyde III of Tacoma; her grandchildren Julia and Paul Lee, Ben and Carrie Land, and Allison, Charles IV and Nicola Hyde; and her brother and sister-in-law, William and Elizabeth Hyde and their daughter, Pamela Smith. Viewing hours will be held Sunday, March 29 from 3:00 - 6:00 PM at Mountain View Funeral Home. A memorial service will follow Monday, March 30, 2009 at 11:00 in the Valley Chapel at Mountain View Funeral Home. Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home. 584-0252. Please sign online guest book at www.mountainviewtacoma.com .
What’s your fondest memory of Otis?
What’s a lesson you learned from Otis?
Share a story where Otis' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Otis you’ll never forget.
How did Otis make you smile?