Photographer, Tailor, Gardener, Philanthropist

Lois Svinth was a multifaceted gem. A once amateur photographer, tailor and designer/quilter, she was both an observer and participant in life. While toiling in the soil as an avid gardener, she felt a spiritual connection with the cycle of life.

Lois and her late husband, Don, met while they were students at Pacific Lutheran College. It was in the required religion class, Old Testament, when she first heard his Danish last name and thought, “That’s really weird.” An exam, during a severe storm, is what brought them together. After class, he showed how much he cared by walking eight blocks in a torrential downpour to check on her.

1961 was an eventful year for Lois: she graduated from college in May, married Don in August, and began her teaching career in September. She taught Ninth Grade English in the

Franklin Pierce District for 17 years and especially liked working with troubled students. Don taught intermediate grades in the Bethel District for 28 years.

Don and Lois, along with daughter Terry and son Joe, moved from a small house in Parkland to a larger home on Puyallup’s South Hill with a view of majestic Mount Rainier. The children became university graduates and successful in their careers. She felt her greatest assignment in life had been fulfilled, and Don walked with her every step of the way.

Lois viewed philanthropy as “sharing” rather than “giving.” Giving can be arm’s length and transactional, as the giver and receiver are separated. Sharing is different; “It helps us all,” she said. It means being part of a community and is reciprocal and mutual. She moved to Wesley Bradley Park in April 2019 and put this principle to work via support of Wesley Community Foundation.

She first designated the Foundation as the revocable beneficiary of her retirement account in 2019. Two years later, she made another commitment to the community with an Assignment of Entrance Deposit Agreement. These are two generous examples of deferred giving—or sharing—to make Wesley Bradley Park a great place to live on into the future. Lois is most certainly missed.

You can help provide a brighter future for our residents like Lois did through your estate plan. Contact David Snow at 206-870-1261 or dsnow@wesleyhomes.org to learn how!