Brenda Lois Wooldridge

Brenda Lois Rhodes was born March 24,1940 in Spokane, Washington to LoRayne and Alva Rhodes. In 1946 LoRayne remarried to Gayle West, who adopted Brenda and her brother Terry West. Her family moved from Spokane to Seattle, Washington in 1957 and Brenda graduated from Seattle’s Shoreline High School with the class of 1958. She went on to attend Washington State University, was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design in 1962. Shortly after graduation Brenda married Roger Jennings Giles and together they had two daughters, Keri and Becky. Throughout these early years Brenda enjoyed entertaining at various events, including on television, playing her banjo with multiple bands and as a solo artist. In 1970 she moved to Newberg, Oregon with her young family. Brenda spent the next 17 years working at Commercial Bank in Newberg and raising her daughters as a single mother. She devoted herself to her daughters and hosted bible studies in her home as a member of Newberg Friends Church. It was at one of these bible studies in 1980 that Brenda met the love of her life, Elmer Harlan Wooldridge and the two were married on August 2nd of that year. Brenda embraced his 4 children with love and kindness and the two shared a blended family of 6 children. The second half of her life was filled with the things she loved most: travelling the world with Harlan, wood carving, painting, gardening, music and enjoying many family events over the decades. Brenda possessed many gifts including the gift of hospitality and her home was one where anyone and everyone was welcome, anytime. She used her many gifts throughout her life to make the world around her a more beautiful place and she continues to inspire those who knew her to do the same. Brenda died peacefully on July 3rd 2026 after 3 months in hospice, with her daughters by her side, smiling and gracious until the very end. Brenda Lois Wooldridge was preceded in death by her parents LoRayne Moore and Gayle West; her brother Terry West; and her granddaughter Moriah Tarvin. She leaves behind her husband of 45 years Elmer Harlan Wooldridge; her blended family Keri Doty, Becky (Clinton) Gash, Kimberley (James) Waker, Kelley (Ron) Rametes, Jon Wooldridge and Kristine (Andrew) Altringer; her 16 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Brenda Lois Wooldridge

March 24, 1940 - July 3, 2026