Former area resident Gayle Phillips Graff Garwick, 62, died Oct. 3, 2011, in Federal Way, Wash.

She was born Gayle Lynn Phillips on June 25, 1949, in Seattle. As a youth she was happiest when she could spend time at her great-grandmothers’ house in Black Diamond and going to Pete’s Pool in the summer. She graduated from Federal Way High School in 1967 then fulfilled her dream by attending Mr. Lee’s Beauty School. She was employed at Millie’s, a local hair salon. In 1969 she married Bill Graff Jr. and they made their first home in Black Diamond. She took an active role as den mother and as coach of her sons’ little league baseball teams. The family enjoyed mushrooming. After the birth of her boys, she worked for Boeing in Auburn where she remained for several years. Upon leaving Boeing she moved to Tucson, Ariz., where she managed kitchens for the Salvation Army. She returned to Washington, settling in Kent and working in the culinary arts and then in landscaping. In Kent she met and married Mark Garwick. She is remembered as a free spirit who valued experiences and people more than material possessions. She was happy working outdoors, gardening, landscaping, creating holiday flower arrangements, cooking, canning and hanging out with friends.

She is survived by sons William E. “Bill” Graff III and Michael J. Graff; mother Marian DiPietro; brothers Larry Phillips and Darin DiPietro; and sisters Dayna Sutton and Gena Grelis. She was preceded in death by first husband Bill Graff Jr. and stepfather Dominic DiPietro.

A memorial service is planned for 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Twin Cedars Club House 37301 28th Ave. S. in Federal Way. Friends and family are invited to share their memories and celebrate her life. A full obituary is online at www.weeksfuneralhomes.com

Arrangements are by Weeks’ Enumclaw Funeral Home.

All are invited to sign the online guest book at www.weeksfuneralhomes.com.