Nancy Gomulkiewicz

Nancy Gomulkiewicz, 89, a 44 year Wenatchee resident, passed away on Monday, November 25, 2013 in Wenatchee, following a brief illness. Nancy lived each day with zest and a See's Maple Cream chocolate. She loved singing and playing the piano, was a voracious reader, served the church and community, and enjoyed time with her family. Nancy was born on September 3, 1924 in Bellaire, Ohio to the late Chester and Mary Gay (Chapin) Cowen. She was raised in nearby Shadyside, Ohio, where she graduated from Shadyside High School as class Valedictorian in 1942. She began her lifelong love of singing by joining the choir in 8th grade. She continued her education at Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia, receiving a B.A. degree in English Literature in 1945 and became a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority. After college, she went to work in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as a Secretary for a steel company. After one year, she became Secretary to the President of Bethany College. In 1950, she went to work as a Secretary for Alcoa at their Pittsburgh General Headquarters. There, she met Paul H. Gomulkiewicz, an Alcoa electrical engineer. They were later married on September 6, 1957 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Over the next twelve years, Paul's job with Alcoa moved their growing family throughout the world including to Brentwood and Gibsonia, Pennsylvania; Veracruz, Mexico; Vancouver, Washington; and Paramaribo, Suriname, S.A. Throughout this time, Nancy embraced her international experiences by organizing Cub Scout packs, a children's choir, and learning to play the organ and taking up golf. Paul and Nancy settled in Wenatchee with their four children in 1969 and have continued to make their home there ever since. Nancy was a longtime active member of the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) in Wenatchee, where she was a member of the United Methodist Women, Elizabeth Circle, and Mary Ruth Circle. She chaired and coordinated programs for her Circles, tutored students in ESL classes, helped with receptions (her Texas sheet cake was legendary), served meals to migrant workers, delivered food to food banks as well as many other activities at the church. She was a long time member of the FUMC Chancel Choir. She sang for other programs as well, including Adult Respite Care in Wenatchee. She was a volunteer "Pink Lady" at Central Washington Hospital and delivered food for Mobile Meals until recently. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Paul H. Gomulkiewicz, Wenatchee; four children and their spouses, Mary and Nick Dyer, Moraga, CA, Robert "Bob" and Andrea Gomulkiewicz, Redmond, WA, Richard "Dick" and Susan Gomulkiewicz, Moscow, ID and Carol and Paul Wooldridge, Entiat, WA; her sister and brother-in-law, Mary Catherine and Ron Ballog, Keller, TX; and nine grandchildren, Steven Dyer, Oakland, CA, Christopher "Chris" Dyer, Moraga, CA, Abigail "Abby" Gomulkiewicz and Katherine "Katie" Gomulkiewicz both of Redmond, WA, Samuel "Sam," Sophia "Sophie" and Ellie Gomulkiewicz all of Moscow, ID, Emily and Kevin Wooldridge both of Entiat, WA. She was preceded in death by her brother, Frank Cowen. A Memorial Service will be held on December 7, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 941 Washington Street, Wenatchee, with Pastor Susan Griggs officiating. Friends who wish may make memorial donations in her name to the First United Methodist Church. You are invited to visit her tribute online and leave a memory at www.HeritageMemorialChapel.com . Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Memorial Chapel, East Wenatchee

Nancy Gomulkiewicz

September 3, 1924 - November 25, 2013