Una Higley Waldron was born in Enumclaw, WA, on Sept. 30, 1924, and passed away there on March 19, 2020. Una was an amazing woman—creative, beautiful, strong, and with good humor and a deep love for her family. Predeceased by her beloved husband Rex W. Waldron in 1979, she is survived by her son Rex (Joanie) of Ukiah, OR; daughters Heather (Mount Vernon) and Mae (Seattle); two grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren; cousin Sandra Terou (Frem) of Maple Valley; and longtime friend Paul Mlachnik of Enumclaw.

The only child of Dora Morgan Higley Christiansen and Leo J. Higley and stepdaughter of Harry Christiansen, Una grew up with her dog Laddie on her grandparents’ farm on the edge of town, and she occasionally rode the ferry to Juneau to see relatives. Una graduated from Enumclaw High School in 1942. A productive and accurate worker with a near-photographic memory, she typed invoices of board feet sold at the White River Mill, wrote for and proofed countless galleys at the Enumclaw Courier-Herald, and ordered helicopters at her job in Tehran, Iran, where the family lived for the 1964-65 school year while her husband was teaching at Tehran University. Una’s first out-of state trip with her young family was to the East Coast in the summer of 1957, when the family drove across the country so her husband could study at Columbia University for the 1957-58 school year.

Una found joy in raising children, sewing, gardening (especially roses), watching birds, meeting with her P.E.O. sisters, and hosting dinners for close friends at the historic J. J. Smith house, which she treasured and kept spotless.

Losing her husband when she was 55, Una turned her energy toward her community, serving on the Enumclaw City Council and as president of the Enumclaw Hospital Foundation, where she established their successful fundraiser, Holiday Fantasy.

She also enjoyed traveling with friends, with Italy and Santa Fe among her favorite destinations.

A private graveside service will be held, as she requested. For expert, proactive, and compassionate care, the family thanks Nancy McCauley and the staff at High Point Village.