"As a quilting friend, Celia's wit and dry humor made the time we shared together such fun. One evening, I was fussing about how my quilt block was not going together very well. Celia said: "I never worry about my points not matching up perfectly. I just show the quilt with a fast flurish so no one can get that close a look at it, like going by on a fast horse." I started giggling as I shared with Celia how that reminded me of what my Mom would say whenever I asked her if anyone would notice something. She'd say: "No one will notice on a fast horse and that's what you'll ride!" We both got a good laugh from this. I miss her already. I'm so thankful for the time (however short) that I did get to spend with her. The memorial service and reception today was wonderful. I could feel the love for Celia in the atmosphere. I choose to believe she was with us in spirit. Peace be with you all."
In loving memory of
Celia Kathleen Tomlin
August 2, 1942 - December 27, 2010
Celia Kathleen (Gibson) Tomlin, 68, passed away in her home on December 27, 2010, after a courageous struggle with esophageal cancer. Celia was born August 2, 1942, in Walla Walla Washington, the daughter of Margaret Rose (née Saxton) and Gerald Glenville Gibson. Celia married James Tomlin in 1965 with whom she had two children, Gerald Scott and Lara Nadine.
Celia had many interests including a passion for genealogy, literature and research, and crafts of all sorts. These passions shaped her life.
After graduating from Walla Walla High School in 1960, she earned her Bachelorette Degree in Education from Central Washington State College in 1964. After college, Celia started her work life as a teacher in the Nooksack school district. She continued her teaching career at Pioneer Junior High School and Green Park elementary in Walla Walla.
Celia's love of literature and research led her to the Library Sciences department at Brigham Young University where she earned her Master Degree. Her education at BYU expanded her passion of puppetry and doll making through both coursework and social groups. These fabric crafts tied into her interest in quilting developed as a child and young adult through 4-H.
After completing her education at BYU in 1979, Celia went on to become the Managing Librarian at the American Fork City Library in Utah. Celia took pride in her efforts to modernize and expand the role of the library within the community.
While in Utah she expanded her knowledge of genealogy and family history with the resources available there. Ultimately researching her family history back many generations and helping many other friends and family members find information on their family. In pursuit of family history Celia often took trips for additional research, including, nearly, annual trips to the genealogical library in Salt Lake City. In her final trip to Salt Lake she was joined by all of her siblings, all helped with some final research she wanted to complete.
After nearly a decade in American Fork, family ties drew Celia and her children back to Washington where she worked in multiple library systems before ultimately joining the King County Library Systems as a Reference and Children's Librarian in 1993. Celia retired in 2008 to pursue her passion for genealogy, family history research, and crafting with friends and family.
Through her work, genealogical and craft endeavors, Celia made many close friends. These friends were a key part of her happiness, during retirement, where she could share her passions, whether books, dolls, quilting or genealogy. She valued the opportunity to teach and to learn new skills from this circle of friends.
Celia is survived by two children, four grandchildren and five siblings. Her son G. Scott Tomlin, his wife Lainie, and children Hailey and Sam live in Bellevue. Her daughter Lara, her husband Ryan Karlson, and children Liam and Rowan live in Olympia. Her siblings, Gerry Gibson, Sally Gibson, Jean Coe, Jon Gibson and Karen Cramer, live in Washington, Oregon and Colorado.
Tributes
"I worked with Celia off and on when we were both Children's Librarians with KCLS. We shared a love of quilting and often would catch up on our latest projects when we got together. What a fun lady! She will be missed."
"I had the privilege of working with Celia for over 5 years. I loved her sense of humor and passion and skill for crafts and genealogy. She adored her family and it was always fun when she shared the latest photo of her grandchildren or brought in something she had made. "
"My first rug hooking experience paired me with Celia as my roommate; it was the first time to meet her. I enjoyed her humor right away. Celia was inspiring as I looked upon her farm she was creating from her memories. Then we discovered that we also had quilting and that is where I enjoyed her company most of all. I am glad to have known her."
"We so enjoyed Celia's contributions to our guild and she will be greatly missed by all of us. "
"Celia's creativity and wonderfully dry sense of humor shine in my memory. She will be greatly missed."
"Thank-you Celia, for being such a positive influence on family historians in Washington. You're spirit will be greatly missed."