| About |
Theo was born October 5, 1907, in Toppenish, Washington, the daughter of Jonas and Claire Hillyer. She graduated from Yakima High School a year early, in an accelerated program, and went to the University of Washington where she became a member of Alpha Xi Delta. She graduated with a BA in Latin and Greek and returned several years later to get her Master's Degree in Speech. She married Malcolm Crume Mays and they moved to Ellensburg, where he became a partner in the Chevrolet dealership. She worked as a homemaker and became active with Washington State women's organizations, and was a pioneer for women's rights. Following the early death of her husband, Theo went back to teaching school to raise her three children. She taught Latin, English, French, and speech at the high school and junior college level. She was the founder of and adviser to Club Tacoy, (a club for teenagers in Yakima). Theo found great support from being active in the Federation of Women's Club, Business and Professional Women, and the Speech Association, and she served as state president of all three organizations. Four different governors appointed Theo to various committees. In later years, she took over the family travel agency and became a very popular worldwide travel consultant and tour conductor. Ever youthful, she married Norman Sowter when she was 80, and they took their last cruise together when she was 90. Theo will always be remembered for her infectious smile, her joy of living, her inexhaustible energy, her willingness to help anyone, and her ability to relate to people from all walks of life. She was a wonderful daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and friend. There should be a Theo in everyone's life.She is survived by her three children, William Mays and his wife, Madelyn, Michael Mays, Marsha Mays Rayton and her husband, Michael, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.Services will be held at Keith and Keith Funeral Home, 902 West Yakima Ave, Yakima, WA, 98907, at 12:30pm on Friday, December 29. The family suggests remembrances to the American Diabetes Association, 557 Roy Street, Lower Level, Seattle, WA 98109-4219.Friends are invited to sign the family's guest book at www.flintofts.com. |
