Annie Katica died peacefully, surrounded by her family, on March 19, 2016. Born October 2, 1922, she was the daughter of Alta D. Beymer and Charles W. Thompson, and the wife of George F. Katica, who passed away in 2003. During their 59 years of marriage, Annie and George called Vashon Island home, but also spent many winters on Kauai and in Tucson.

Annie was a proud member of Delta Gamma Sorority, which she had served as president at the University of Washington. She was also a member of the Queen Anne Fortnightly Club. Her optimism and curiosity, generosity, selfless ability to listen, and desire to place the wants of others before her own, attracted friends to her throughout her life.

She is survived by a large and grateful family–her sister, Bobbie Saffle, of University Place; children Susie Murphy (Rich), of Vashon, Bill Katica (Marcia), of Tacoma, and Bob Katica (Nancy), of Vashon. Annie and George also had eight grandchildren that survive them–Kevin Kim-Murphy (Claudine) and Alison Blomgren (Per-Lars), of Vashon; Annie Green (Brian) and Megan Steinhauer (Logan), of Tacoma; Charlie Katica (Alissa) of Lakewood; Christine Murphy (Melvyn Johns) of Christchurch, New Zealand; Stephen Murphy (Kelly) of Chesapeake, Virginia, and Mary Hendrickson (Tommy) of San Francisco. By the time of Annie’s death, her family had grown to include thirteen great-grandchildren as well.

In her last days, Annie was cared for with compassion and skill by the staff at the Weatherly Inn Memory Care unit in Tacoma, and by an excellent team from Franciscan Hospice. The family wishes to highlight this care and to express their public gratitude.

Annie’s remains will be interred at the Vashon Cemetery with those of her husband, George. A memorial celebration will take place on April 30, at the Vashon Golf and Swim Club, beginning at 1:30pm. Friends are invited to visit the online guestbook at Island Funeral Service, www.islandfuneral.com.

Donations in Annie’s memory may be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, www.pdf.org, or to Franciscan Hospice, www.chifranciscan.org/health-care-services/hospice-and-palliative-care/make-a-gift-to-hospice.