Gaye Williams, Ph.D., died at St. Joseph’s Hospital of a sudden illness on Friday, June 30. Gaye was born in Kentucky on March 2, 1943. She is survived by her father, Charles Williams of Paducah, Kentucky.

She obtained a B.A. degree from Metropolitan State College in Denver, and a Ph.D. from Union Graduate School in Ohio. She apprenticed with Dr. Carl Rogers during her graduate studies. They became friends and nurtured their love of gardening together until his death. She was certified as a Jungian Analyst by the C.G. Jung Institute of Los Angeles. Gaye practiced in San Juan County since moving to Orcas Island in 1986.

Of foremost importance to Gaye was her care and concern for all living things. She nurtured the creative spirit in herself and others, emanated kindness and compassion for all, fed a menagerie of animals who will miss her attention, doted on her cat, Sophie, and helped the Animal Protection Society on Orcas Island. She was intuitive, had a wry humor, total integrity, and a profound and searching intellect.

Gaye’s own creativity and gifts were many. She was a photographer, a potter, a poet and writer. In 2005 she had a show of her photographs and clay pieces at the Lucia Douglas Gallery in Bellingham. She loved ideas and words and books and served on the acquisitions committee at Orcas Public Library. She had a deep belief and love of poetry.

Her passion, patience, and devotion marked every path she explored. Her friends and family knew how lucky they were to have such a gentle and extraordinary soul in their lives.

A memorial service will be held later. Gifts in her name can be made to Orcas Island Animal Protection Society.