Gailynne Elva Mathis

Gailynne E. Mathis, 73 of the Wenatchee Valley and former longtime Spanaway resident passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2018 at Bonaventure Senior living in East Wenatchee. She was born on May 14, 1944 in Everett, WA to the late Minor Durbin and Eileen May (Ellis) Godfrey. She grew up in Lake Stevens and graduated from Lake Stevens High school in 1962. She continued her education at Western Washington University and later transferred to the University of Washington. Following her formal education, she went to work for General Telephone and Electric (GTE) in Seattle. She enlisted in the US Army when she was 30 years old. She was stationed at several posts, including Germany, Korea, Detroit, Michigan, Georgia, San Antonio, Texas, and El Paso, Texas. While stationed in San Antonio, she travelled to other military bases to inspect their Medical Supply systems. She earned the rank of Sergeant Major(E9) and taught at the Sergeants Major Academy. She retired honorably in 1999. After retiring from the Army, she purchased a 5th wheel and traveled briefly prior to settling to make her home in Spanaway, WA. She remained in Spanaway until moving to the Wenatchee Valley in 2014. She enjoyed traveling with her niece's mother-in-law to the Panama Canal, Hawaii and Australia. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, television, Sudoku, and Old Time Radio Shows. She was survived by one brother, Terry (Wendy) Godfrey, Redmond, WA; four nieces : Elizabeth "Beth" (Dan) Breidenstein Goodfellow, Wenatchee, WA; Carol (Dan) Breidenstein Pace, Cashmere, WA; Amy Breidenstein Curtiss, Hillsboro, OR; and Dawna Godfrey Parks, of Redmond, WA; four nephews : Garr (Danny) Godfrey, of Shoreline, WA; Don Godfrey, of Seattle, WA; Chad Godfrey, of Maltby, WA; and Brandon (Nicole) Godfrey, of Bothell, WA; and numerous great- and great-great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and sister, Donna Godfrey Breidenstein. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 1:00 pm at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, located at 2111 170th Ave. NE in Lake Stevens, WA. You are invited to view her tribute online at www.HeritageMemorialChapel.com and leave a comment or memory.

Gailynne Elva Mathis

May 14, 1944 - January 4, 2018