Lila Howe

1934 – 2021

Lila Howe left us peacefully on February 3, 2021 at her home in Gig Harbor, WA.  She is survived by her husband Brian Howe, her daughters Kim, Carol, Lynn, and Julie.  Her grandchildren Collette, Simonne, Simon, Elizabeth, Jenny, Kyle, and Alex.

Lila embraced living and was never intimidated by anything that came her way.   Her life overflowed with friendships, family, adventures, and travel.

Born August 16, 1934 in Putney, London to Gladys and Alfred Sheppard she grew up in England with her sister Vera.  She attended Thames Valley Grammar School and never passed up an opportunity to loudly trumpet the school song whenever possible.  After grammar school she went into banking at Barclay’s Bank.  Lila fell in love with Brian Howe, and they married on July 3, 1954.

Lila and Brian left England and eventually settled in Bellevue, WA USA where they lived for 26 years and raised their four daughters.  In 1995 Lila and Brian retired to Lila’s dream home in Gig Harbor, WA.  She loved the beach and finally realized her dream to have a house on the waterfront.

Lila had tremendous pride for her British-American heritage and always regaled us with foods, customs, stories, and songs.

Her positive attitude and making people laugh with her jokes are what we will miss most.   She was intelligent, confident, caring and a go-getter.  Lila was able to make friends wherever she went and had many over her lifetime.  She took a genuine interest in other people and always found time for everyone.  Also important to Lila was her support to anti-cruelty animal organizations.

Lila embraced so many opportunities.  When not using her green thumb tending to her garden, she loved to read mysteries, go to the theatre, sing, and travel.  They went to France, Italy, and Australia but her favorite trip was to The Baltics.

Lila’s friendship and generosity will be missed.  She was an amazing woman!