Effie M. McAuliffe passed away Feb. 28, 2010 at Mira Vista Care Center, Mount Vernon, at the age of 90. Effie was born Nov. 3, 1919 in Phoenix, Ariz., to Simon Peter and Bridget (Jordan) Gillis.

Effie was raised in Phoenix, graduating from St. Mary’s High School. She went on to receive her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Arizona State University in June 1941.

Effie began work for the U.S. Air Force as a clerk/typist at Luke Air Base, Glendale, Ariz. While at Luke, she met John McAuliffe and on Dec. 3, 1941 she and John were married in Phoenix.

Over the next 20 years, Effie and John traveled to Guam, Texas, the Philippines and California, as well as several stops at McChord AFB.

John retired in California and the family returned to Tacoma. She accepted a position at McChord as Assistant Education Director and Guidance Counselor in 1964. The education program took off and her role accelerated. Following the death of her husband, Effie accepted a position as Education Officer at Lajes Field in the Azores. She retired from the Azores with 30 years of Federal Service. In May 1991, she moved to Oak Harbor.

Effie was a member of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church of Oak Harbor and a former member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church of Spanaway. She was a member of the American Business Women’s Association of Oak Harbor, was Past President of the Ladies Society of St. Augustine’s and a member of the Oak Harbor Senior Center.

Effie is survived by three daughters, Patricia McKinnon and husband Pat of Oak Harbor, Maureen Shriver and husband Steve of Bellevue and Eileen McAuliffe of Bothell; 5 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Her husband John and daughter Kathleen preceded her in death.

Funeral Mass for Effie McAuliffe will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 6, at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church with Rev. Philip Raether as Celebrant. A reception for family and friends will follow in the Parish Hall. Rosary will be recited on Friday, March 5, at 7 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Church. Graveside prayers of committal will take place at Fir Lane Cemetery, Spanaway, at 11 a.m. Monday, March 8. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.