After Burien's Georgette Valle served our area for 24 years as a legislator it seemed past time to show her appreciation for her years of service. Flora Belle Key, recently written up here as the "host with the most," made it all happen.

She staged an impromptu patio party inviting many of Georgette's friends and former constituents, and the sun cooperated. It was great to see former senators Bob Ridder and Ruthe Ridder, Virginia Galle, former legislative colleague, and Beth Greiser, who was recently presented with a special volunteer award for community service.

Many current politicians sent their greetings in absentia due to conflicting commitments during this summer campaign season.

Even after stepping down from district politics Georgette didn't stop. She went on to serve on the Burien City Council for four years and then after working in Arizona politics recently ran for the Senate.

When she was asked what a woman of 83 was doing running for office she said, "I doorbelled four hours a day in 100 degree heat so don't think I am not capable."

She was never asked that question again. Can't you just visualize this staunch campaigner going door-to-door with her husband, Odd, driving the car to take her to the next area of the district? What a team they make.

As the guests arrived, Georgette involved them in conversation. One friend remarked that she had hosted a coffee hour for Georgette's first bid for a legislative seat.

Many who came to share this special day had been precinct committee officers during her many political campaigns. Invigorated by the energy from her audience, she began to tell about her political life in Arizona. She was in great form as she told her story about running for the Senate and actually getting public funds for her campaign.

She urged everyone to work for public campaign funding in Washington State.

After time for questions, I came forward to present her with a Certificate of Appreciation. Then I read a handmade tall card which covered the many aspects of her great and giving personality and lifestyle - great host, snappy dresser, marrying a fine Norwegian fellow who constructed and put out her campaign signs over the years, and swimming almost every day.

Under a fierce picture of a wild animal were the words: Georgette was a tiger in keeping smoking out of public places even as some of her smoking colleagues complained.

They knew how determined she was. After all, didn't she appear in the halls of the legislature after breaking her leg while skiing? And finally, she wrote her definitive book "Always a Rebel and Never Without a Cause."

I found a picture of a bird, a red cardinal, to illustrate her cardinal virtue of perseverance. She admits that she never gives up.

When people asked her how she could keep going when her Senate race was in a district predominantly of the opposing party, she replied, "I never think of failure. I know that whether I win or lose that I am spreading information that needs to be heard."

In her ever persuasive tone she spoke about the need to maintain Medicare, which some want to eliminate. She lights up when speaking about her special efforts in aiding the environment. Yes, Georgette is animated when she is talking about issues that serve all the people and not just the few.

No, we haven't forgotten you, Georgette. Your energy is felt wherever you appear. So, keep up that spirit, you hear?

Georgie Bright Kunkel is a freelance writer who can be reached at gnkunkel@comcast.net or 206-935-8663.