Lois S. Kriegman

Lois S. Kriegman passed away on Feb. 4, 2006. She was 86 years old. Lois, a Chicago native, entered the University of Illinois at age 16, where she worked her way through school and met her husband, George.

Lois earned a master’s of arts degree in clinical psychology and speech correction from the University of Iowa in 1943. She and George, a psychoanalyst, were in private practice in Richmond, Va. beginning in the early 1940s where they helped thousands of children, adults, couples and families for four decades.

Lois was a founding member of the Virginia Speech and Hearing Association, a former assistant clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Medical College of Virginia, and a lifetime member of the American and Virginia psychological associations.

The Kriegmans traveled extensively, including trips to Europe, New Guinea, China and Timbuktu. They amassed an extensive art collection from their travels. After George’s death in the mid-1980s, Lois donated a collection of African and New Guinea art to Virginia Union University in Richmond, where the collection is on display for the enjoyment of all.

Lois fell in love with Whidbey Island after many family visits over the years. In 1998, she drove cross country, with the help of her grandson, Drew, from Richmond to Freeland where she built a home overlooking Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.

In her first several years on the island, Lois continued research and teaching the use of the Psychodynamic and Therapeutic Evaluation (“PaTE”), a diagnostic technique that she and her husband developed during their graduate training.

In her long, productive life, Lois enjoyed tennis, fishing, bowling, ping pong, gourmet cooking and entertaining family, colleagues and friends — and almost more than anything, playing the game Rummikub. She had a very eclectic love of music and especially enjoyed opera and symphonic works. She saw most of the significant dramatic and musical theater during her lifetime and also loved ballet, visual arts, crafts and films.

During her relatively brief time on Whidbey Island, she contributed to many cultural and civic endeavors and greatly enjoyed the beauty and delights of island life.

Lois was preceded in death by her husband and her eldest daughter (Lesley). She is survived by her daughter, Diane K. Claussen (Daniel) of Atlanta, Ga. who was by her side when she died; her son, Bruce P. Kriegman (Terri) of Seattle; a son in New York, Mitchell S. Kriegman; her sister, Charlis Dunham (Jerry) of Langley; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A private memorial is planned.

The family suggest in lieu of flowers that donations be made to The American Lung Association, 61 Broadway, NY, NY 10006. (www.lungusa.org)