Vicky Draham Friend

After a long, active and rich life, Vicky died peacefully January 18, 2021, in Olympia, Washington. She was born in Olympia on June 10, 1925, to Katherine Partlow Draham and Walter Henry Draham. Vicky and her sister Kit grew up “somewhat wild” on Cooper Point back in its early undeveloped days. These early years were filled with exploring woods and beaches, riding horses, working on the holly farm, driving the tractor, and taking cows to graze at the end of the point. Vicky attended Lincoln Grade School, The Annie Wright Seminary (along with her sister Kit, while their parents served in World War II), and graduated from Olympia High School. In 1947, she graduated from the University of Washington with a journalism degree. She initially worked for The Seattle Times and subsequently for The Daily Olympian. A lifelong interest in literature and writing led to degrees in English and creative writing. As her children became older, she launched her career as an author of short stories and novels. Her two self-published works of fiction are I Think I May Paint the House in August and Fall Games. Vicky relished physical activity and self-sufficiency. Whether remodeling the house, doing repairs, changing the car oil or cutting down trees for firewood, these were moments of focus and harmony for her. She was an avid snow and water skier. She enjoyed sailing, tennis and golf, and even managed to see some of her golf heroes at the Chambers Bay U.S. Open in 2015. She met her husband, Bob Friend, snow skiing in the 1950s, when they both raced and volunteered for the Ski Patrol. One of Vicky’s proudest moments, as a young woman, was earning her pilot’s license, something very few women did in that era. She loved to regale the family with stories of stalling the plane as her instructor’s patience grew gradually thinner. She enriched the lives of all who knew her with her exuberance, passion and enduring support. Vicky was preceded in death by her parents, Katherine Partlow Draham and Walter Draham; her sister, Kit Draham; her former husband, Bob Friend; and her close friend and partner, Anne Bertolin. She is survived by her daughter, Lore Friend, and grandson, Gabriel Friend, of Tacoma, Washington; and her son, Mark Friend, and daughter-in-law, Cheri Warner-Friend, of Olympia. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Edith K. Draham Scholarship for Creative Writing at either the University of Washington online at http://giving.uw.edu/DRAHAM; or The Evergreen State College by calling The Evergreen State College Foundation at 360-867-6300 or by going online at evergreen.edu/give. Please leave condolences or share memories and photos on the Tribute Wall to the left.