Born in Kennewick, Washington, to Burt and Leora Kilmer, Lois was a member of the large and close-knit Kilmer family and she thoroughly enjoyed growing up with her 10 siblings. Lois often liked to remind the family that she was the seventh child born in the seventh month.
A 1943 graduate of Chimacum High School, Lois enjoyed working at Indian Island during World War II and being a “USO Gal,” going to three Big Band dances a week at the American Legion. During that time, Lois met her first husband Bill Mosquiera. They soon moved to Bill’s hometown of Hollywood, California, where Lois’ sons Timothy and Mitch were born. Bill and Lois eventually divorced, and Lois moved back to her hometown and resumed working on base.
In 1954, she married Edward “Widge” Black, and daughters Laurie and Shannon were born while the couple ran the clubhouse at Chevy Chase Golf Course. In 1958, Lois became the principal’s secretary at Port Townsend High School where she worked until retiring in 1988. Lois made a big difference in hundreds of students’ lives. Lois and Widge were staunch supporters of the Port Townsend High School sports and drama club and could be found at most every PTHS sporting event happening both in and out of the area. The town often celebrated big wins (and losses) at their home after the games.
Lois absolutely loved to travel and after retiring from PTHS was a “soda jerk” at the Don’s Pharmacy soda fountain for more than 20 years to help fund her many adventures and keep a close eye on the community she was so fond of. She would often adventure travel across the globe with her sisters, close friends, and extended family. She slept on a rice barge in China, white water rafted in Costa Rica, rode an African hot air balloon, fed kangaroos in Australia, sailed through the Panama Canal, and sang along in Irish pubs. Her travels took her to more than 20 countries and across the U.S. She also took 20 trips to Hawaii, visiting each island.
Her love of family was unmatched, and she was skilled at keeping track of every member — earning her the nickname of the “GNN” (Grandma News Network). She also answered to G-Lo (Grandma Lo) and always had a packet or five of Splenda handy to sprinkle over anything and everything. Lois was the light of our lives. A master of sarcasm and dry wit, pillar of grace, and true friend to all.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Widge in 1998; son, Mitchell; and grandson, Brendan in 2020. She is survived by her son, Timothy (Karlena) Black; daughters, Laurie (James) McGinnis, and Shannon (Terry)Nowell; beloved stepchildren, Michael (Marie) Adams and Debbi (Leonard) Hoskins; eight grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
Please join us for a Celebration of Life from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 23, 2022, at the Elks Lodge in Port Townsend.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mitch Black Memorial Scholarship through Chimacum Schools, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or your favorite charity.
