Obituary of Ann Mekkes Tate

Ann M. Tate passed away at the age of 79 on Sunday, May 19th, 2019, at Providence St. Peter’s hospital in Olympia, Washington. She was surrounded by family in her last days, who were able to sit with her, tell stories, and laugh at fun memories before she passed. Ann was born on February 21, 1940, in Elma, Washington to Lawrence and Wytska Parker, then married the love of her life, Gerald R. Tate, in Elma on August 1, 1959. During her lifetime, Ann worked at various accounting positions for the State of Washington, including the Secretary of State, Office of State Treasurer, and for the Washington State Investment Board. She loved to read, work crossword puzzles, knit, walk, and play her favorite computer games. However, what was most important to Ann was spending time with her family. Although she lost her beloved Gerald and her sister KY in 1997, and infant daughter Kathleen, she is survived by a large, fun-loving family: her daughter Deborah Carter, a son and his wife Dennis and Veravanh Tate, and a son and his wife Mark and Jenna Tate; her grandchildren, Josh Carter and his wife Melissa, Jennifer Carter, Emily Tate Podowicz and her husband Kole, Collin Tate, and Kayla and Derek Tate; as well as her great-grandchild, Rebecca Carter. Ann is also survived by her brother Irwin (Buzz) and Judy Parker from Phoenix, Arizona. Ann was a caring woman who loved to laugh and enjoy time with those she loved; she will be missed tremendously by all. Ann preferred that there be no memorial services, and requested that any memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in her name.