Friends and relatives of Pam Waechter, 58, said they hoped her violent death would prompt acts of peace and understanding.

"I hope that your being taken from us will spur on peace and actions toward it," said Waechter’s daughter Nicole Waechter Guzman.

Bellevue police arrested one man for disorderly conduct as mourners arrived at the synagogue to mourn Pamela Waechter.

Police spokesman Greg Grannis said the man was yelling and officers reacted quickly to the disturbance. Grannis said he doesn't know what the man was yelling.

Police allege that Naveed Afzal Haq, 30, forced his way into the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle on Friday afternoon and began shooting, killing Waechter and wounding five other women. He was ordered held on $50 million bail Saturday pending formal charges of murder and attempted murder.

A Muslim from the Tri-Cities area of south-central Washington, Haq told authorities he was angered by the war in Iraq and U.S. military cooperation with Israel.

Waechter, 58, rose from secretary to become president of Temple B'nai Torah in Bellevue from 1988-90. Waechter converted to Judaism when she was married, then became more active in the Jewish community than her husband.

Bill Waechter, who remained friends with her after their divorce, recalled loud, shouting meetings of the temple's board that took place in their home, while he was in the other room watching television.

"I'd hear her give her opinion, and everybody would shut up and listen," Waechter told The Seattle Times. "It was amazing how she would command the attention of all these old guys," he said.

Rabbi Jim Mirel of Temple B'nai Torah said Waechter's death is a loss to the Jewish community, not just his synagogue.

"Pam died the way she lived, without regrets, without hesitation. That was a risk she knew she had to take, and she did," said Mirel.

"I think of her as an inspiration," Mirel said. "I know there will not be a day for the rest of my life I will not think of her."

Pam Waechter grew up in Minneapolis as a Lutheran, the daughter of a businessman. She and her husband moved to Seattle in 1979. After raising their two children, Pam Waechter graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in nutrition.

Before joining the staff at the federation, where most recently she was director of the annual fundraising campaign, Pamela Waechter worked for four years at Jewish Family Service, where she managed a food bank and served as an emergency services caseworker and volunteer coordinator, according to the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle's Web site.

In her eight years at the federation, Waechter's jobs included outreach coordinator, director of special events, and various fundraising posts, the Web site said.

In both her paid and volunteer work, she was known as a mediator, always bringing a calm, balanced approach to problems.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Pam stepped in to protect other people," said Marshall Brumer, a past president of Temple B'nai Torah in Bellevue. "That's the kind of person she was." Friends recalled her sense of humor. "She had this great droll wit," said David Martens, who knew her for decades. "She was just a lovely, beautiful woman."

The alleged shooter's parents released a statement Monday expressing their shock and extending condolences to the victims.

"We could not have imagined for a moment that our son would do this senseless act. This is utterly contrary to our beliefs and Islamic values," said Mian and Nahida Haq of Pasco. "We have always believed and practiced in fostering love, peace and harmony with everyone, irrespective of religion, race and ethnicity."