Eileen Ruth Blaszak

Eileen Ruth Blaszak (née Holcomb), 77, of Tacoma, Washington passed away peacefully while surrounded by her family on January 21, 2024. Eileen was born in Tacoma on January 16, 1947,
and spent her youth in several cities—including Hong Kong; Okinawa, Japan; Kensington, Maryland; Idaho Falls, Idaho; and Simi Valley, California. She met her husband Bill at a local
dance class in 2000 and married a few months later in New Zealand.

Eileen was a talented artist and jeweler, gifted gardener, accomplished practitioner of tai chi, traveler, adventure-seeker, and animal lover. As a self-taught jewelry maker, she learned the
art of welding and often incorporated her Norwegian heritage into her designs. She loved animals and raised award-winning show horses and dogs, as well as cats, chickens, geese, and
pigs. She learned to spin wool from her own goats, later creating beautiful sweaters from those threads. Her green thumb was the envy of many, and she and Bill created a wonderland of
plants, art, and koi ponds in their front yard. She loved traveling and camping with Bill in their VW Vanagon, neighborhood walks with her cousin Chrissy, working to rebuild and restore
vintage cars, creating needlepoint canvases, and cheering on NASCAR races (especially “her” driver, Joey Logano). Eileen served her community as a tai chi instructor and attended several
intensive workshops in Hawaii and other locations where she built lasting friendships.

Eileen studied at San Fernando State College. While her career focused on artistic endeavors and her jewelry business, Eileen B. Designs, she also worked for many years as an assistant in a
psychiatric clinic. She displayed her jewelry designs in local boutiques and at craft shows, including the annual Norwegian Heritage Festival at Pacific Lutheran University.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Erin Elizabeth Bailey and her mother, Miriam Holcomb (née Kvamme).

Eileen is survived by her beloved husband of 22 years, Bill Blaszak, brothers Fred Holcomb (and wife Karen) and Mike Holcomb (and wife Aimee), devoted son David Bailey and daughter-in-law
Joy, grandchildren Makena, Amanda, Violet, and Wade (and wife Emily), great-granddaughters Paisley and Marlie, a loving extended family, and a very loyal circle of friends and neighbors
that became family.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 18, from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Highlands Golf Course Cafe in Tacoma.