Imogene Holt/Crowell
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Imogene Evelyn Holt/Crowell, age 103, a near lifelong resident of Skagit Valley, passed away on Friday,
November 27th at Skagit Valley Hospital. Jean, as she was known, was born in Cordell, Oklahoma in 1917
just ten years after Oklahoma became a State. The family lived in nearby Cloud Chief, later moving to
Cordell where her father was the postman. Jean was one of nine children born to Albert Sydney Buie
and Lucy Ellen (Tharrington) Buie. Her brothers and sisters include Emma Lucille (Lucille), Robert
Alexander (Bud), Virgil Willis (Shorty), Verda Lee, Gloria Ruth (Peggy), Billie Dee (Bill), Louis Edwin (Al).
Jean was a student athlete at her high school in Cordell, Oklahoma where she played basketball. Jean
moved Washington with her first husband Joe Napier who came to Washington from Oklahoma to teach
school. During WWII Jean worked at NAS Whidbey Island. Joe and Jean had two children, Charles Robert
"Bob" and Charlene Napier. Both Bob and Charlene preceded Jean in death. Jean later married James
Holt of Burlington. To Jean and Jim Holt were born two children, Dean Holt and Karen Buchner who
reside in Mount Vernon and Arlington, Washington respectively. After Jim's death in 1980, Jean married
Ed Crowell. For most of her life Jean was known as a professional seamstress, working out of the family
home. Her favorite pastime was fishing, and in her later years, salmon fishing in Sitka Alaska. Jean made
a once yearly trip to Sitka for nearly 30 years straight, usually with her son Dean. Her last trip on the
charter vessel operated by her friend Theresa Wiser at the Wild Strawberry Lodge in Sitka was at age 98.
She came home that year, as was routine by now, with a limit of King Salmon, Silver Salmon, and Halibut
that she caught herself. She was an absolute legend at the Wild Strawberry Lodge. Jean is survived by
her brothers, Albert and Bud Buie, and her sister Peggy Smith. The children of Bob and Nancy Napier -
Krista McNeely, Glenda Smith, and Jeff Napier. The children of Charlene Stewart - Julie Harris, Lauri
Brown, and Michael Stewart. The children of Dean Holt - DeAnna Tjoelker, Marci Neil, Sarah Holt,
Bonnie Holt (dec.), T. Traci Holt (dec.), Marde Cross, James Holt, Ryan Holt, and Cole Holt. The children
of Karen Buchner - Jared and Daniel Buchner. In addition are great grandchildren numbering more than
25 today and increasing. Jean lived her last years with her daughter Karen at Karen's home in Arlington.
Every day until her very last she made her way out the long driveway to the mailbox for the newspaper
as she loved working the daily crossword puzzle. She followed closely the television coverage of college
football and basketball along with college and NFL football. A graveside service was held on Friday,
December 4th at Hawthorn Cemetery in Mount Vernon. Jean lived well until her end and will be missed.
Please visit www.hawthornefh.com to share your thoughts and memories and sign the online guest register.
Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon, WA