Wanda Faye (Akers) Pitser passed away at home in Arlington, Washington on April 28, 2017.

She was born in Connersville, Indiana to Ralph and Mary Akers on March 24, 1937.

The oldest of three children, she lost her parents at an early age and grew up with a loving couple, Samuel and Dee Morris, and her foster sister Deanna. Wanda was swept off her feet in her early 20s by Clarence Lowell Pitser. Their life together brought about five children and took them to Alaska, where Lowell was employed with the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline.

Wanda had an amazing gift for painting with oil colors. She also had a lovely singing voice, played guitar and shared that gift with her children. She later divorced and at mid-life, Wanda sent herself to college and became an accomplished Pastry Chef. Her talent for baking brought her to the kitchens at the Clarion Hotel in Anchorage, Alaska and then later became Pastry Chef at Rosario Resort on Orcas Island in Washington state. Wanda had a big heart for animals and had her fair share of four-legged and fine-feathered friends.

She was preceded in death by her own parents, brother James Akers, sister Judy Akers, niece Jody Akers, nephew Jimmy and niece Leanne Fader. She leaves behind five adult children: R. Lowell Pitser, Rita (and Terry) Briggman, Rick Pitser, Kelly Merritt, R. Scott Pitser, as well as niece Joy Akers and nephew Chris McCormack.

She also has eight grandchildren: Glenna, Sadie, Denae, Jessica, Kitra, Anne, Jon, Levi and many great grandchildren.

A special thank you goes to her caregiver Debbie, who brought a lot of joy to mom’s life before her stroke, and to Teresa and Barb of The Highland House for the loving care they gave mom these last 10 months following her stroke.