Alice Anne Wylam, 80, died peacefully, at home on the North Fork of the Newaukum River, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018, with her husband, Fred by her side. She was born Jan. 16, 1938, in Renton, Wash., to Walter and Isabelle Anderson.
The family later moved to Olympia, where Alice graduated from Olympia High School in 1956. She attended Centralia College and worked at Montgomery Ward’s. While working at Ward’s, she met Fred Wylam and the two were married June 27, 1958.
Alice began working for the State of Washington at the Department of Social and Health Services shortly after her college graduation, but took a leave of absence to raise their two boys and worked for the school district during this time. She resumed working for DSHS after the boys were in high school and retired from the state in 2001.
Weekends were dedicated to family campouts in the trailer, off-road Jeep excursions with their Jeep club, The Rough Riders, taking trips to the beach or to the backwoods, friends gathering at the river for a barbecue, a potluck or just good conversation around the fire pit. Alice loved the outdoors and watching the wildlife right from her own backyard on the river.
Later, she and Fred enjoyed camping in their trailer on the Columbia, gaining new friends and even reeling in a few salmon and steelhead of her own. She also had a great passion for reading. You could always find Alice sitting outside under a shady tree or inside in her favorite chair, with a book in her hand.
Family reunions were a celebrated yearly event for Alice. The family would come to gather at “Alice’s River” to enjoy a day filled with good food, Fred’s Golf Tourney, happiness and of course, the awesome and crazy Wylam duck races.
Alice is survived by her husband, Fred Wylam; two sons, Gordon Wylam and daughter-in-law, Mary Beth, grandchildren, Joey, Erin and Sophie Wylam and Larry Wylam and daughter-in-law, Bonnie; sister, Judy Fowe; brother-in-law, Bob; brother, Larry Anderson; sister-in-law, Julie; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Isabelle Anderson; and her grandson, Sean Wylam.
A special thank you to Olympia Hospice, Alice’s nurse, Jay and her caregiver, Doris, for all the loving and special care you gave. Alice’s friendly smile, cheerful attitude and sparkling eyes will stay in the hearts of those who loved her forever.
A celebration of Alice’s life will be announced at a later date.
Donations may be made to Olympia Area Hospice or to St. Joseph Catholic School, Chehalis, Wash.
