Arleen Pratt died quietly at home on Nov. 27, 2009, surrounded by her family. Born to Carrie and Ole Skarston in Raymond, Wash., on March 31, 1924, she spent her childhood swimming in the Willapa River and roaming her grandparents’ farm nearby.

Mrs. Pratt graduated from the University of Washington in 1946 and was a member of Alpha Omicon Pi. She married Irving Pratt, and they built their house on Mercer Island in 1954 and raised five children. She was an early member of the Beach Club and Presbyterian Church. She loved gardening, travel, swimming and tennis, and was always on the lookout for a bargain. She encouraged conversation and debating issues. She found solace with late-night reading, volunteered at Youth Services and the Orthopedic Guild. She worked hard at her Parkinson’s and exercise groups.

Mrs. Pratt was fiercely independent and passionate about her family. She made costumes for all occasions, carted kids to swim practice, tolerated a menagerie of animals, and washed more horsey jeans than can be imagined. She will be greatly missed as family historian and for her almond roca.

Mrs. Pratt is survived by her husband, Irv; children, Gail (Donnie), Carol (Michael), Gary (Teri), Lynn, and Rick (Brenda); and grandchildren, Jessica, Casey, Justin, Trevor, Tyler, Ben, Mikkel and Melina.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Mercer Island Presbyterian Church. Remembrances are suggested to Group Health Hospice, 2100 124th Ave. N.E., Suite 110, Bellevue, Wash., 98005.