Arliss Siebert, who over the years lived in Aberdeen, Olympia and Bellevue, died in Gig Harbor on Oct. 1, just two months shy of her 90th birthday. She is survived by her daughter, Chris (Dale) Sando, of Clarkdale, Arizona, and her son, Dan (Trish) Martin, of Tomah, Wisconson. Stepchildren include Carol (Dean) Lange and Stephen (Jinni) Siebert. Four step-grandchildren are: Tyler Lange, Trevor, Cameron and Ashley Siebert. Arliss’s partners in life included Floyd Martin, Gerry Siebert and George Baker (all deceased).

Arliss was born in Aberdeen, Washington to Earl Baldwin and Lavene (Moore) Baldwin on Dec. 10, 1933. Her father was a fireman for the city, supporting a family that included two older brothers, Calvin and Donald Baldwin, both of whom preceded her in death.

When she spoke of growing up during the depression, it was always framed in positive terms. She remembered, for example, that the Hay’s Dairy continued delivering milk to doorsteps in the neighborhood even when local families couldn’t afford to pay.

For much of her life she was active in the Aberdeen First Baptist church, serving there in several capacities. She made lifelong friends in the church, and enjoyed getting together with them for camping trips at Camp Bethel and Ross Point, Idaho.

She enjoyed singing, both in the church choir and around the house. She played piano and went square dancing with her husband Floyd.

A lifelong believer in education, she graduated from Elma High School as Salutatorian. After raising her children, she resumed her education, graduating from Grays Harbor College in 1976. Later in life she graduated with honors from The Evergreen State College at age 72 with a degree in art history. When she graduated, she was believed to have been the oldest in any of that school’s graduating classes.

Arliss will be honored at a Circle of Remembrance at Penrose Harbor in Gig Harbor on Thursday, Oct. 12 at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.