Obituary: Rachel Lake

Rachel Lake, a Lake Forest Park resident who was prominent in both local education and politics, died March 29th at the age of 83.

Memorial Service for the retired Shoreline Schools teacher were held April 18 at the Lake Forest Park Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor her are asked to send contributions to the Sno-King School Retirees Scholarship Fund. 

Rachel was the President of the Sno-King School Retirees Unit three terms. An active member, she was at different times on the scholarship and finance committees and was an exemplary legislative chairman.

Rachel taught in Shoreline Schools from 1957 to 1988, beginning her career at Briarcrest, then moving to Hamlin Park. She was a member of the first teaching staff at Cedarbrook, remaining there until it closed in 1971, before moving to Meridian Park.

Rachel completed her career teaching English and social studies at Shorewood.

She was honored as Shoreline Teacher of the Year in 1986-87.

Her distinguished teaching career in the Shoreline School District included two stints as president of the Shoreline Education Association.

She first served as SEA president in 1976-77 before returning to the classroom at Hillwood. She was again selected as SEA president in 1979, serving four years. She was a regular delegate from Shoreline to the WEA Representative Assembly and served on the WEA Board of Directors, then an WEA member lobbyist.

After retirement from Shoreline Schools, she served as administrative assistant for SEA until 1994.

She was a founding member and past president of the local chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa international honorary for women educators and founding member of American Association of University Women’s Bothell-Shoreline branch.

Her political service included serving as chair of the 32nd District Democrats for seven years, and as a Washington state elector in the 2000 presidential election.  

She chaired Rep. Ruth Kagi's successful election campaign and was a member and chair of the Washington State School Retirees' PAC  (Political Action Committee) for several years.  

She had a passion for education and fairness, and would go out of her way to help a friend.  Rachel was a person who stood up for what she believed.