Winnifred Bitney Nelson

Winnifred Bitney Nelson

Winnifred (Winnie) Gale Bitney-Nelson passed away at her home on July 10, 2014 following a two year battle with cancer. She was born in Enumclaw, WA on July 30, 1953 and graduated from Enumclaw High School in 1970.

Winnie loved road trips and faraway travel, visiting Africa, Mexico, The Caribbean, Great Britain and Romania.

Her foremost love was her family, most of whom lived nearby. Her grandchildren called her “Gaga”, which she loved, and they would often come and stay with her. She had a beautiful little cabin high in the hills above Omak and went there as often as she could. She did much of the work herself, with friends and families pitching in whenever they could. She was a kind and generous person who would help anyone in need and she was a great listener. She loved American Antiques and often went searching for them with her longtime very good friend, Curt Konoske.

She is survived by her brothers; Jim Bitney (Sandy) and John Bitney (Wendy) of Enumclaw; her sister, Cheryl Ogle (Larry) of Coupeville, WA; her daughters, Sarah Scott (Justin) and Emily Forrester (Clay) of Buckley and her son, Seth Nelson (Joan) of Auburn, WA. She had seven grandchildren; Sequoyah Gillis and Riley and Mckenzie Scott of Buckley; Spencer, Madison and Jackson Dudley and James Forrester of Buckley and Abigail and Josie Nelson of Auburn. She had two nieces; Jennifer Strapac of Snohomish and Courtney Whitish of Enumclaw, and two nephews; Anders and Conner Bitney of Enumclaw. Also surviving is Ken Nelson of Auburn.

They were married for twenty-eight years and, although they parted ways some years ago, he was her best friend of f?if?ty years and fought her battle with cancer every step of the way. She also had many wonderful cousins. A mention must also be made of her little dog “Bob”, who never left her side.

A celebration of her life is planned for 2pm, Wednesday, July 30th, at Wabash Church in Auburn, located at 18325 S.E. 238th St., where she attended Sunday School as a child, and was married to Ken Nelson in 1971. This will be followed by an old fashioned ?barbecue at her home. In lieu of ? ?fl?owers, she asked that any remembrances be sent to the Auburn Valley Humane Society at 4920 A St. SE., Auburn or to the Franciscan Hospice at P.O. Box 1502, Tacoma, WA 98401.