Lois Cecile Rickerson Tomlin

Lois Cecile Rickerson Tomlin awoke in the presence of her Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday, September 17, 2023, surrounded by her loving and devoted family. She was born on February 13, 1930, in Seattle, Washington. She had lived in multiple cities throughout the United States and Europe with her family, but passed away at age 93 in Bothell, Washington, near where her life began. Lois grew up in the Northwest, enjoying time with her siblings, Doug, Sue and Sally with trips to the now famous Pike Place Market, collecting seashells on Puget Sound or spending quiet times with her grandmother, learning to knit and sew. Lois’ mother, Opal, was a nurse anesthetist. After high school graduation, Lois followed in her footsteps graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1950, from the same school as her mother, St. Joesph’s Hospital School of Nursing. Having a spirit of adventure, Lois joined United Airlines as a stewardess. Though the requirement that flight attendants be RN’s had recently dropped, it was advantageous to have the RN license, so she was off to “fly the friendly skies”. After training, she was sent to work in Washington DC. It was there that a mutual friend introduced her to a handsome young Marine who was a recent graduate of the United States Naval Academy. The match was perfect, and she married James E. Tomlin in May 1953 at a small chapel located on the Marine Base in Camp Pendleton, California. Soon after, he was deployed to the Korean conflict, but returned safely home to the birth of their first son, Jeff, in Sedro Wooley, Washington. Lois worked as a nurse off and on over the years in both clinical and hospital settings. However, her main devotion was to her husband and her family. That devotion took her to many places. The Marines sent them to Quantico, VA, Embassy duty in Paris, France, and eventually to Lubbock, Texas. The family added Jenny, Joanne and Jay. When Jim retired from active duty, they returned to Lois’ home in Seattle, Washington, where Joel and Janice were born. Jim was now working as an executive for Texaco. After a move to Portland, Oregon, and then back to Bothell, Washington, Jim was transferred to New York City. He commuted to the Chrysler building in Manhattan from their home in Westport, Connecticut. After a few years in New York, Jim opted to return to the quiet life in his home state of Texas near his widowed mother in Lindale, Texas in August 1977. It was there they resided until Jim’s death on September 15, 1991. After several years in East Texas, Lois returned to her home in the Northwest, where her brother, sister and three of the children resided. Lois was always full of life and energy as she followed and supported her husband. He was the love of her life, and she dearly missed him for her remaining 32 years of life on earth. In raising her children, she always made sure throughout the many moves that her family was part of a local church, including attending Sunday School and making sure their prayers were said each night before going to bed. She also was faithful in church attendance, bible studies, and a devoted prayer warrior, especially for her family. Lois loved decorating and could make every holiday and birthday sparkle with décor and with love. Lois is preceded in death by her husband, Col. James E. Tomlin and her two sisters, Sue and Sally. She leaves behind one brother, Doug Rickerson, and her six children, Jeff, Jenny, Joanne, Jay, Joel and Janice as well as many grandkids and many more great grandkids. There will be a graveside service for Lois at Lindale City Cemetery on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 11:00 am where she will be buried next to her husband of 38 years. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice.

Lois Cecile Rickerson Tomlin

February 13, 1930 - September 17, 2023