Louise Fietz Curiel

Louise Fietz Curiel passed away on January 15, 2016. She was born in Tacoma on January 28, 1926. Louise graduated from Tacoma’s Lincoln High School in 1944, and her academic accomplishments earned her a scholarship to Mills College in Oakland, CA. She received her baccalaureate from Mills in 1948, majoring in Home Economics, English, and Education. After completing a post baccalaureate year at the University of Washington, she taught school in Burlington, WA. Louise moved to Los Angeles in 1950 and married her longtime sweetheart, Bob, whom she had met during World War II. She taught high school in Los Angeles before returning to her Tacoma roots in 1952. Louise and Bob celebrated their 65th Anniversary last year. Nurturing and teaching her own children always came first for Louise. Louise was especially devoted to her disabled daughter, Annie, caring for her at home for most of Annie’s short life. After Annie’s death at age 17, Louise was inspired to pursue formal training in health care, earning her LPN from Bates College in Tacoma. Louise viewed education as the foundation for an active, civically engaged, and fulfilling life. As a mother of four, she worked with local schools as a member and officer of PTAs and other organizations, receiving the Golden Acorn award for her work at Wilson High School. Louise instilled in her children the importance of how informed, community activism was essential for promoting social justice. Louise will be dearly missed by her loving and devoted husband, Bob, her son Peter of Tacoma, her son Joseph and his spouse Anthony Raugust of Vashon Island, and her daughter Mary and her spouse Patrick Dailey of Seattle. In addition, Louise is survived by her granddaughter Roberta Shimomura and her spouse Brad Shimomura of Pendleton, OR, granddaughter Anna Dailey of Seattle, grandson Christopher Dailey of Seattle, and her two great grandchildren Zane and Oliver Shimomura. In lieu of flowers, please send gifts to the school or college of your choice.