Evelyn Langlie, former state first lady

Evelyn Baker Langlie, the widow of former Washington Gov. Arthur Langlie and the first woman to occupy the Governor's Mansion for three terms, put her job as first lady at the top of her "to do" list.

Whether planning a banquet for state visitors or an outing to delight her children and grandchildren, she cared deeply for her place in regional history and set an example of ladylike behavior all her life.

Yet she was not above digging in the dirt to help tend a Victory Garden during World War II or a flower garden later, friends say. She sang and played piano to amuse herself during rare private interludes.

She liked it best when she could attend the opera or symphony in Seattle or in New York, her home in the early 1960s when her husband chaired the McCall Corp.

Mrs. Langlie died Wednesday at 96. She had been in failing health.

"She arrived at 2000, which she wanted to do," said her daughter, Carrie Ellen Vasko of Seattle. "But she had two strokes in 1994, which weakened her. I think her body just let go."

Born in Pittsburgh, she was the eldest of five children. At age 12, her mother died and she took over raising her siblings and running the household until her father remarried a few years later.

She married Arthur Langlie in Spokane in 1928. They met on a blind date with friends who had extra tickets to a circus. Mrs. Langlie picked him out of a fraternity photo lineup in a college yearbook.

Moving to Seattle with her new husband, she supported his budding legal and political career.

She tasted first ladyship when he served as Seattle mayor in the 1930s, then as governor from 1941 to 1945 and 1949 to 1957. He died in 1966.

"She definitely set a wonderful example of a committed wife and mother," said her daughter. "She loved the arts and music and could have spent a lot more time in those pursuits, which she did after my father died.

"But she knew her place as first lady and dedicated herself to it. She held the family together and entertained people when Dad was at meetings or making speeches.

"She also was a great newspaper clipper. She would clip articles for him that he might not have seen."

During World War II, she served in Grey Ladies and insisted on making do with rationed goods like other people. She raised produce and brought Northwest seafood to the table. But she made a special effort to procure leg of lamb to serve during the British ambassador's visit.

"She was a very gracious lady, very caring to everyone," said family friend Nancy Rising, whose parents introduced the Langlies.

While she was first lady, Mrs. Langlie was honorary chairwoman of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Governor's Mansion.

She also was a longtime member of the Seattle Opera, Symphony, Art Museum and Museum of History and Industry. She was particularly interested in the Salvation Army.

Also surviving are a son, Arthur S. Langlie of Seattle, five grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Services are at 2 p.m. Jan. 29 at First Presbyterian Church, Seventh Avenue and Spring Street, Seattle. Memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army, 111 Queen Anne Ave. N., Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98109.

Carole Beers' e-mail address is cbeers@seattletimes.co.