Raye M. Staples' Obituary
Raye Mildred Staples was born in Tacoma WA on May 8, 1925 and passed away suddenly on May 13, 2021. She was predeceased by her brother John Sidney Spilman, her parents Sierra Sidney Spilman and Mildred Youk Spilman, her husband Arthur Eugene Staples, and son Ronald Arthur Staples. She is survived by her daughter Linda Raye Forkenbrock (John), son Richard Alden Staples, grandchildren Julie Anne Forkenbrock, Darin James Forkenbrock, Kelley Lynn Fenigstein (Steve), Anthony Alden Staples (Melanie), Lindsay Katherine Hanni (Tyler), Andrew Thomas Staples, and Benjamin Arthur Staples (Julia), great grandchildren Henry, Khloe, Alden, Greta and Avery.
Raye graduated from Orting High School, worked as a bookkeeper, became a Rosie Riviter, began training to be a registered nurse, then met her husband and since married trainees weren't allowed, quit school and began family life. When her youngest child began school she went back to work first at Mount Rainier Ordinance Depot, then headquarters Fort Lewis, and Lakes High School where many of the students called her Mom. At the age of 45 she decided to go back to school to finish her nursing classes, but after finding out she would have to take all the science classes again, she decided teaching was her goal. She received an AA from Pierce College, BA from Pacific Lutheran University, and an MA from Central Washington University. She began her teaching career at Tacoma Community College and then moved to Pierce College where she retired at age 69.
Her next decision after her husband passed was to buy a motor home, this after several trips to Europe. Her first two just weren't big enough for her so she finally found one that made her happy. She and her best friend Lois Hersey along with her beloved puppy Madonna and kitty Sabrina began traveling around the country including Alaska, the Quebec Peninsula and Mexico. Needless to say all their kids were nervous wrecks! They ended up each March in Indio CA so she could watch her beloved Mariners in spring training.
Raye's family was everything to her and she was always the life of the party. She gave us wonderful memories which will stay with us forever. She will truly be missed.
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