Carla Marie Huyck

Obituary Carla Marie (Collison) Huyck Carla Marie (Collison) Huyck was born on March 12, 1968 to Dayle and Grace Collison. When Grace was told, "It's a girl!" she answered, "Bull****!" She passed away at the age of 46 on April 11, 2014 at St. Peter's Hospital in Olympia after a brief and heroic battle with cancer. Carla was born in Tacoma and attended St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School and Bellarmine Preparatory School. She was a graduate of Central Washington University and had a long career in public health. Carla adored her three brothers, Tom, Mike and Pat. Carla's family was her top priority. She enjoyed organizing and hosting large family gatherings that always included her "family of choice" - honored friends that she adopted along the way. She loved, spoiled, and guided her daughter, Anna; and her nieces and nephews on both sides of the family. After her older brother Pat died, she worked hard with Julie to make sure Cassandra, Ally, Michelle and Tony learned the Collison family traditions. Carla met her husband Randy at Central Washington University. After graduating, she got her first job in her field of study, Public Health Education, in only 16 days. The managers at Grays Harbor County Public Health Department must have spotted the drive and talent that made her a respected leader in public health in Washington. At two local health departments and the State Department of Health, Carla worked to combat HIV/AIDS, teen pregnancies, tobacco, and other public health threats. She was recognized for her work by numerous health organizations. During her struggle with her own cancer, we saw how much she was loved and respected. Friends, colleagues, and even the Secretary of Health visited, brought quilts and meals, and reminded us all of how special Carla was. We thank them all. Carla is at rest with her parents, Dayle and Grace Collison; and brothers, Tom and Pat. She is survived by her husband, Randy; daughter, Anna; brother, Mike; and a vast extended family in the Tacoma area, Oregon, California and Missouri. The family encourages donations be made in Carla's honor to the American Cancer Society Action Network (www.acscan.org). A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at 9:00am at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. A Rosary will be recited on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at 5:00pm at Gaffney Funeral Home Chapel. Interment at Calvary Cemetery. Please see full obituary and leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.