Carmen Mccaw

Carmen McCaw, 94, a longtime Lowden resident, passed away peacefully at Parkview Memory Care on April 10, 2023.

Carmen was born on October 2, 1928, to Walter and Mabel Gleiser, in Portland, Oregon. The youngest child of a Methodist Pastor whose callings took the family to Newburg, Pendleton, Tacoma and Spokane throughout her youth. It was in Spokane where Carmen graduated from Lewis and Clark High School. She went on to earn her degree at Whitman College in Walla Walla, where she was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority and the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. She competed in debate, earning both junior and senior division championships with her debate partner . It was in 1948 that she met the love of her life, Bruce E. McCaw. They were married in 1950, going on to have three sons, Bruce Jr, Mark and Robert.

Carmen loved her family and instilled in her son’s strong values that have served them well. She was of strong faith and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Walla Walla, where she taught Sunday School, served on the Session and Presbytery Committees, and was active in PEO and the Delphian Club. She had an unwavering faith in God and brought a smile to everyone. She was always striking up conversations with those around her and eager to share stories of her sons and grandchildren with friends and strangers alike. Many newcomers to church were welcomed and introduced to others by Carmen. She kept the family farm books for many years and embraced all the challenges and duties that came with living on the farm. She worked side by side with Bruce to build their house and took great pride in keeping up the yard and garden . She was an avid reader, gardener, seamstress, cook and made her home a peaceful and welcoming place for all. A remarkable woman, full of life, love and energy, who will be dearly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Mabel Gleiser, brother Charles and sister Margaret.

Carmen is survived by her husband of 72 years, Bruce E. McCaw; sons, Bruce L. (Janice), Mark (Debra) and Robert (Kim); grandchildren, Angela (Zachary), Lauren (Cooper), Kevin, Catherine, Connor and Ellen; great-grandchildren, Nora, Claire and Lucas.

Funeral service will be held at the Walla Walla Presbyterian Church on Friday, April 28, 2023, at 12:00 PM.

Memorial donations may be made to The Mercy Ships Organization through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362. In addition, friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.