Uwarda Della Day's Obituary
Uwarda Day, 93, passed away peacefully on December 5, 2003 after a rich and fulfilling life. She was born on January 16, 1910 in Preston, Idaho to John and Ann Egley. Moving to Seattle she graduated from Roosevelt High School and then attended the University of Washington graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1932 with a major in Physical Education and minors in Physiology and Drama. She then received a full scholarship to The Cornish School of Dance in Seattle thus realizing her lifelong dream of becoming a modern dancer.After moving to Tacoma she taught PE and Dance at Annie Wright Seminary. While performing at the Tacoma Little Theatre Wardie met her future husband Hollis Day. The opportunity to dance under Martha Graham and Hanya Holm in New York City arose so she left the Northwest for the lights of Carnegie Hall. But Hollis eventually wooed her back to Tacoma and they were married in 1939 in the Great Hall at Annie Wright.WardieÂ's love for the theatre continued and she and Hollis performed in many productions together at the Tacoma Little Theatre until she retired to become a full time mother.In addition to her love of the arts WardieÂ' s other passion was for the native flora of the Pacific Northwest. Many of her most enjoyable days were spent hiking with Hollis in the Cascades looking for wildflowers to identify or working at Pt. Defiance in the NW Native Garden as a member of the Tacoma Garden Club.Wardie was also an avid skier her whole life, from first skiing the slopes at Mt. Rainier in her twenties to finally hanging up the boards at age 83.In addition to the Tacoma Garden Club Wardie was also a long time member of the Aloha Club and the Tacoma Country & Golf Club.Wardie is survived by her children Hollis Day IV, Deborah Sarah Day, Tracy Stearns (James), grandson Carson Alexander Berreth and favorite kitty Honey. She was preceded in death by her husband Hollis and grandson Dylan Berreth-Day.The family wishes to thank the staff of ManorCare for all their help and care over the past 2 ½ years.Most especially, the family wishes to give a heartfelt thanks to WardieÂ's two caregivers Joyce Avery and Frances North for the special love and tender care they gave our mother the last years of her life, allowing her to enjoy her home and surroundings to the end. They were her two guardian angels and we will never forget it.At UwardaÂ's request there will be no services. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the NW Native Garden Revitalization Fund, P.O. Box 64235, Tacoma, Wa. 98464-0235.
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