Hawthorne Funeral Home

Benjamin Gerald Martin Jr, "Jerry", completed his journey on earth 8/24/2023 after a brief illness. Jerry was born to Ben and Marion Martin on April 25, 1952. He had fond memories of growing up on Sunset Lane with relatives and many friends. He continued those friendships into adulthood. Jerry married Gail Williams in 1981. They welcomed their son, Benjamin Ernest, in 1984. Jerry loved all things sports, he was an accomplished athlete in high school. He coached AAU basketball for several years, and was on the coveted chain gang for MVHS football. His favorite was golfing with his buddies at Avalon and the Senior League in Lynden. Jerry is survived by his wife, Gail; son and his wife, Ben...

Ray Jensen passed away on August 17, 2023 at the age of 91 in Burlington, WA. Ray is survived by his significant other Mary Sands, sons Larry Jensen, Randy (Cathy) Jensen, Art (Vicki) Jensen, three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held Saturday, August 26, 2023, at his home. Please email your RSVP to [email protected]. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ray's memory to the St. Jude's for Childhood Cancer research and recovery https://www.childrenscancercause.org/donation-tribute. Please visit www.hawthornefh.com to view and sign the online guest...

Marty Strohecker, 59, passed on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 from heart failure. Marty was born in Seattle, but moved to Camano Island in his high school years, and graduated from Stanwood High School in 1981. He spent his adult life in California and Georgia, and returned to Burlington after early retirement to drive pilot trucks for several clients in the Skagit Valley area. Marty is survived by his stepmother, Jane Strohecker, of Mt. Vernon; sister, Kathleen Strohecker; nephew, Michiaki Shimazaki; cousins Raymond and Karen Cosby of California; in addition to several close friends across the country. He is predeceased by his mother, Joyce Edwards; father, Franklin Martin Strohecker; and sister,...

Marty Strohecker, 59, passed on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 from heart failure. Marty was born in Seattle, but moved to Camano Island in his high school years, and graduated from Stanwood High School in 1981. He spent his adult life in California and Georgia, and returned to Burlington after early retirement to drive pilot trucks for several clients in the Skagit Valley area. Marty is survived by his stepmother, Jane Strohecker, of Mt. Vernon; sister, Kathleen Strohecker; nephew, Michiaki Shimazaki; cousins Raymond and Karen Cosby of California; in addition to several close friends across the country. He is predeceased by his mother, Joyce Edwards; father, Franklin Martin Strohecker; and...

Jerry W Smith June 30, 1960- July 31, 2023 The greatest heart of the greatest man sadly stopped beating. Jerry W. Smith, 63, passed away 07/31/2023, quietly at home with his wife. Survived by wife and best friend Jody. Children Teresa Pablo, Heather Roger (David), Justin Smith (Jessica), eleven grandchildren, brother Doug (Tesea), Mike (Shannon), Char (Doran), Debbie Springer. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, Aunts and Uncles, and three sister-in-law. He is proceeded in death by son Joseph William, parents Jerry and Norma Smith, and brother David Smith. Jerry was an amazing family man. Jerry instilled hard work and the importance of family in his children "If you...

Arvita Marie Bonner peacefully passed away at her son Bill's home in Mount Vernon, Washington on July 22, 2023. She was surrounded by family and filled with love and comfort. Arvita was born June 30th, 1928, in Vernon, Texas to Mr. and Mrs. William Gordon. She was the youngest of 12 children and enjoyed growing up in a large family where she formed loving, close relationships with her siblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Arvita cherished and nurtured those enduring relationships, and they became the foundation for her positive and loving approach to life. In 1953, Arvita met the love of her life, Harold Bonner, at a dance and three months later they were married. Following the...

Our family sadly lost our beloved Naomi Ruth (Adams) Holboy on July 22, 2023, at the age of 83. Naomi was born on November 9, 1939, to Harold and Viola (Turner) Adams. Born in Madera, CA, she lived her early years surrounded by her Turner family. Naomi soon gained a sister, Grace, and then a brother, David. When Naomi was a child, her family relocated to Montana. She again was surrounded by a large extended family, this time the Adams and Wheathersons. Naomi graduated from Billings High School in 1958, then headed to Seattle, WA to attend Northwest Bible School to pursue her calling as a missionary, with a desire to do missions work in China. While a student, Naomi worked at the soda...

Carol Jean (Oldershaw) Bratz was born on February 15, 1924 to Harry and Minnie Oldershaw of Mount Vernon. She passed away peacefully on July 17, 2023. Carol married Walter E. Bratz on March 30, 1945. She had three sons, 4 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Please visit www.hawthornefh.com to view and sign the online guest registry. Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon, WA.

Virginia "Ginny" Ann Byford, 76, beloved mother and friend, passed away on July 15, 2023. A memorial service will be held in her honor at 10:00 am on September 9, 2023, at Bethany Covenant Church in Mount Vernon, WA. Please visit www.hawthornefh.com to view the full obituary, as well as to sign the online guest registry. Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon, WA.

Frank Atkinson passed away surrounded by his family on July 15, 2023 after a three year battle with pancreatic cancer. Of his accomplishments, Frank was most proud of his family who were his greatest joy and the center of his life. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was born on March 7, 1955 to Dick and Dorothy Atkinson, who preceded him in death. He grew up in Des Moines, WA and later attended The Evergreen State College earning a Bachelor of Science degree. Later he attended Western Washington University where he received a BA in Music Education. He taught music and orchestra in Spokane at Gonzaga Prep before earning a Masters in School Administration from the...

Delbert Emmitt Griffin peacefully passed away at home on July 11, 2023 at the age of 94, and active up until the end. He was born on June 26, 1929 in Everett. He graduated from Marysville High School in 1947 and enlisted in the Air Force in 1950. In 1951 while stationed at Hill Air Force Base, he met the love of his life, Evelyn, in a Salt Lake City candy shop. They were married on December 8 of that same year. They celebrated their 71st anniversary just four months before she passed on April 8, 2023. The Air Force took them between Utah and Washington for a few years, with their children, Rochelle and Grant being born in Everett. They moved back permanently to Washington in 1968. The years...

Della M. Newman, a prominent businesswoman and our 17th U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand, passed away on July 11, 2023, in her home in Bow, Washington in the presence of her loving family. Della's was a life well lived. Born in Seattle on June 6, 1932, she attended Garfield High School and the University of Washington. After school, she engaged in numerous successful business ventures, including owning and serving as president of Village Real Estate, Inc. and a term as president of Executive Women International. A close personal friend of George HW (41) and Barbara Bush, Della was actively involved in politics on both the national and state levels, including serving as a Washington state...

So often its written that when a loved one passes, they are surrounded by their family and friends.. this was entirely true for our mom we loved so much. Karleen (Penny) Kay Sparrs passed away at her home July 7, 2023 with all her children there for her at her side. She was born May 25, 1943 to Shirley Flowers-Sparrs and Bernie Penley, and was a life long resident of Skagit Valley whom she was raised by Shirley and George Sparrs. Penny was known as the best bartender (mixologist) in the valley and later worked at Skagit Valley College. Loved to play board games, mostly scrabble and camping when time allowed, as she mostly worked. She was feisty and full of spirit. She leaves behind 4...

Brian was born December 30, 1962 in Bellingham, Washington to Judith & Reed Tindall. By the time his sister Jean was born in 1966 the family was living in Mount Vernon, Washington. In 1974 his mother married Duane Eitreim, and the family went to live on Duane's farm in Bow, Washington. Whenever possible they went to stay with their Shelton and Hood Canal families where many happy memories were made. In 1981 Brian graduated from Sehome High School in Bellingham, Washington and enlisted in the US Air Force later that year. He left for basic training at Lackland AF base in Texas to begin his 20 years of service to the US military. Brian and Kathleen Shell were married November 27, 1982 in...

Brian was born December 30, 1962 in Bellingham, Washington to Judith & Reed Tindall. By the time his sister Jean was born in 1966 the family was living in Mount Vernon, Washington. In 1974 his mother married Duane Eitreim, and the family went to live on Duane's farm in Bow, Washington. Whenever possible they went to stay with their Shelton and Hood Canal families where many happy memories were made. In 1981 Brian graduated from Sehome High School in Bellingham, Washington and enlisted in the US Air Force later that year. He left for basic training at Lackland AF base in Texas to begin his 20 years of service to the US military. Brian and Kathleen Shell were married November 27, 1982 in...

Yolanda Diaz passed away on Thursday, July 6, 2023, surrounded by family in her home in Burlington WA. She was born in Eagle Pass, TX on March 26, 1935, to Jose Gutierrez and Refugio (Fernandez) Gutierrez. She moved with her family to Wapato WA where she met her husband Agustine Juarez. They had 4 children together: Debra, David, Agustine Jr and Michael. They eventually moved to Mount Vernon and set down deep roots in the community until Aggie's passing in 1984. She has 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren who were all the center of her life and brought her so much joy and happiness. She later married longtime family friend Felix Diaz. They loved family gatherings on the Samish River...

Richard Scott Todd was born April 9,1959 in Fairbanks, Alaska. Richard passed on July 4, 2023, at Providence Hospital in Everett. Please visit www.hawthornefunalhm.com to view the full obituary and service information, as well as sign the online guest registry. Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon, WA.

Richard Scott Todd was born April 9, 1959 to Stanley and Margaret Todd in Fairbanks, Alaska. The family moved to Mt. Vernon, WA in 1965. His paper routes, dogs, bicycling and hiking as well as reading history and mythologies were his youthful joys. In 1976 he enlisted in the Army before graduating from Mt Vernon High School in 1977. Once in the Army he became a trained medic and paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division. In 1983 he and Pamela Greene married and began a love story that lasted throughout Richard's life. Richard finished his RN degree at Skagit Valley College in 1984 and took up residence in Snohomish County. He worked as a psychiatric nurse, first for the Department of...

Martin Robert Speedy, 66, of Mount Vernon, Washington, passed away on July 2, 2023. He finally entered a pain-free world full of light and freedom after a long struggle with CIDP and renal failure. Martin was born December 30, 1956, in Tucson, Arizona to Bob and Sharon (Norby) Speedy. As part of an Air Force family, he spent most of his early childhood traveling around the country and abroad with his siblings and parents. After retiring, Martin's father moved the family and settled in Mount Vernon, Washington where Martin began his freshman year at Mount Vernon High School. During the next four years, he was active in sports, the arts, ASB, and other high school projects graduating in...

Frances Darlene Wright, 66, of Bow, WA passed away peacefully on July 1, 2023, in Mount Vernon, WA. Darlene was born on December 31, 1956, to Roger and Dorothy Coffman in Mount Vernon, WA. She graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1975. Darlene met Steven Wright on February 8, 1975, and the two were married on October 18, 1975. After a couple moves they settled I Burlington, WA. where they raised three boys. Darlene worked as a hairdresser in Burlington for nearly 20 years before moving the business to her home where she continued serving her clients and friends for another 25 years. Darlene is preceded in death by her parents Roger and Dorothy Coffman. She is survived by...