Anacortes American

On Friday, May 12, 2023, Jenny Heitzner of Anacortes passed away at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle due to a sudden illness. Jenny, the daughter of Anacortes residents Robert and Esther Howell, was born September 20, 1964 in Columbus, Ohio. In addition to her parents, Jenny is survived by her daughter Olivia Schmerge Quarterman (Zack) of Bellingham; step-daughter Lauren Schmerge Reynolds (Craig) of White Plains, NY; sister Elena Lamont of Seattle; brothers Robert Howell Jr. and Aaron Howell (Cassandra), both of Anacortes; and numerous nieces and nephews from one coast to the other. Much of Jenny's early childhood was spent in Riverside, CT near aunts and uncles and cousins on her...

BETTY, Joyce Joanne, age 77, passed away May 7th 2023 in Seattle WA. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, mother- in- law and friend. Joyce was born in Reedley CA in 1945 to Marlin and Lena Driedger. Joyce married Steve Betty in 1964 and they resided in North Fork for almost 20 years. They moved to Anacortes WA in 1985. Joyce worked at the Anacortes Marina as the office manager for 25 years. In 2016 Joyce was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, and she fought the disease for 7 years. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents Marlin (1994) and Lena (2017) and grandson Kyle (2020). She is survived by her husband Steve, daughters Cynthia and...

Theresa Marie Bowen, 95 of Anacortes, fondly known as Terre to all who knew her, was called home to God on May 1, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Cleveland, OH, on August 26, 1927, the daughter of Stephen and Mary (Seneck) Wascak and brother to Stephen, Jr. Terre will be laid to rest at Grand View Cemetery in Anacortes on Saturday May 13th at 11 a.m. A Memorial Service will take place at later date St. Mary Church in Anacortes. Her full obituary will be available at her memorial site www.evanschapel.com/obituary/terre-bowen, where you may share your memories with the family.

Christopher Todd Phipps passed away peacefully at home on April 24th with daughter Kashia and family at his side. Born in Nelems Memorial Hospital in North Bend WA on January 7, 1960. Chris spent his very early years at King County "Si View" park where his father was manager. He swam in the pool at three months old and dabbled in the nearby Snoqualmie River with the little fishes and frogs. When he was three years old he and his family moved Big Lake near Mt. Vernon where life began anew. There his mother met David Phipps, the man who brought Chris and his family much happiness. The family moved to Anacortes where Chris attended school, made many friends, and loved animals. Chris brought...

James Sparks passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on April 22, 2023. For a man who loved to garden and to have his hands in the soil, it is fitting that he left this world on Earth Day. Jim was born in Wapato, Washington, in 1935. He graduated from Seattle Pacific College in 1956 with a degree in psychology. He later earned a master's degree in business administration from Evergreen State College. Jim worked for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services in Olympia for 30 years. After retiring from the State, he worked as the financial manager of Brooklake Church in Federal Way. For the past 25 years, he and his wife have made their home in Anacortes,...

Bernice Linvog, 103, passed away on April 6, 2023. A funeral service will be held on Saturday April 22nd at 11:00 at Anacortes Lutheran Church, with a graveside service to follow at Grand View Cemetery. To share memories of Bernice and read her full obituary, please visit www.evanschapel.com.

Mary LaVina "Lee" Rogers McClain age 87 of Paris, TX passed from this life on April first at Paris Regional Medical Center. Lee was born September 15, 1935 in Anacortes, Washington to parents Wilson (Bus) and Gladys McDougall Rogers. She graduated from Anacortes High School, attended Skagit Success Business College in Mt. Vernon, WA. Lee initially worked for the city of Anacortes and then supported her husband's Naval career with various jobs and frequent moves to numerous duty stations. She was a strong Christian wife and mother faithfully supporting the Church of Christ across the nation. She was a talented artist, an avid reader and skillful seamstress and loved to crochet for family and...

Mary Lynne "Melee" Barcott died peacefully and surrounded by family on March 16, 2023. She will be remembered by many as a woman of conviction who lived her life in service to God and devoted to family, friends and the community around her. The daughter of Frederick and Grace Llewellyn and sister to Fred, she was born and raised in Yakima WA. She earned a bachelor's degree from Gonzaga University and was on track to become a nun until she met and then married the love of her life, "Big, Bad, Bouncing" Bob Barcott. Together they raised six children, Gregory the eldest followed by David, Mollie, Steven, Janet and Carrie Catherine (aka Cici). In dedicating her life to the service of others...

Adrienne Louise Eide was born in Bellingham, WA on August 7, 1934 and passed away on March 8, 2023 in Tacoma, WA where she briefly lived at GenCare senior facility near her daughter. She was born to Harold and Frances (Smith) Hill, and lived first in Concrete, WA, then Anacortes, WA from 1935 - 1937, then Longview, WA until her graduation from R.A. Long High School in 1952. She had one younger sister, Romona (Thornburgh). Her musical talents in flute, piccolo, piano, organ, and choral singing led her to attend Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR where she majored in music education in 1956. She obtained her Masters in Music Education from University of Idaho in 1971, then went on to...

Marvin Roy Queen, 82, of Anacortes, passed at Island Health on Monday, February 27, 2023. He was born on September 6, 1940, in Emmett, ID. To share memories and read Marvin's full obituary: www.evanschapel.com.

Nancy died at home in Anacortes, WA surrounded by her family, including grandchildren banging on the piano. She was raised in the Seattle area, spent 20 years oversees with her first husband, Allan, birthing and raising four children in seven countries, and ultimately settled in Anacortes for the last third of her life with Dick Chapman. Committed to the community wherever she lived, Nancy was generous with her time and resources?caring for foster babies, being a companion to elderly people, volunteering as a reading assistant at schools, supporting homeless or undocumented neighbors, and protecting the wilderness. She can be best described as a quiet philanthropist, even turning her...

Virginia "Ginger" Evelyn Mott Taylor Loveless Lapworth, 82, died after a brief illness on February 14th in Concord, California. She was called to heaven on this date as she was finally at "home" surrounded with love and ready to continue her journey of taking care of Ron and John. Ginger was born on May 28, 1940 in Taft, CA to Alfred A. Mott Jr. and Dorothy Mott. She attended St. Mary Catholic School and Taft High School. It was during her years at Taft High School that she met a life long friend, Carolyn Furtney, and her high school sweetheart, Ronnie "Rabbit" Taylor. She was crowned the queen of the Christmas Ball and he was named MVP during their senior year together. They would marry...

Born in Grandview, Washington to Art and Mildred Krous. He graduated from Grandview High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy . He became one of the first pilots of the new Helicopter squadron serving as Air and Sea rescue pilot on 12 different carriers. Returning to Grandview he joined the family business of Krous Transfer. He later became the Maintenance Director of the Grandview school district. Mel loved singing and was in many groups, large and small from a quartet to a 20 voice group called Sound Expressions, to the much larger group of the Valley of the Sun in Yakima and the Ano -chords after moving to Anacortes in 2000. He met his wife Leslie Moore performing in Mame in 1988...

Peacefully and surrounded by her loving family, Charalene "Char" Turner, passed away on February 13, 2023, a week after her 90th birthday. Char was born and raised in Anacortes, WA in 1933 to Ida and Earl Holmes. Char married the love of her life, John "Jack" Turner, in 1950 and enjoyed 60 years of marriage prior to his passing in 2010. She was a compassionate spirit whose passion was caring for others. Char was always on the go. Along with raising her nine children, she was a licensed foster parent, restaurant manager, operated her own catering business and was Grandma Char to many. She was a woman with numerous talents. Helping and mentoring youth was her true joy in life. She was small...

Byron George Sneva of Anacortes passed away on Sunday February 12th, just weeks after celebrating his 100th birthday with family and friends. Byron's strong Norwegian heart came to a stop ending this life he loved. Byron was born to George and Edith Sneva on January 3, 1923, in Fergus Falls Minnesota, a beautiful rural town of rolling hills and lakes in Ottertail County. He was the eldest of five children, with three younger brothers and a younger sister. He grew up during the Depression, yet it became an ideal youth for an active boy. As an enthusiastic Boy Scout, he learned the skills needed to experience a wonderful world with his siblings. There was hunting, trapping, fishing, ice...

Hank was born in Baker City Oregon on June 25th 1928. An only child he grew to love the outdoors from an early age. He graduated from high School in Modesto, CA and from CA State Polytechnic College with a degree in architectural engineering. He had an honorable discharge from both the USMC as well as the USAF. He hired on with Boeing where he worked on parts of the planes as he put it "kept the body of the plane in the air". Discovering the San Juan Islands in the 60's opened up his world to many loves that he enjoyed & shared with others for the rest of his years. Fishing, crabbing, boating & living a great life with lots of adventures helped bring him into another passion which...

A Celebration of Life for Susanna Epler will be held on Thursday May 11th, 2:30PM at the Skyline Beach Club, 6041 Sands Way, Anacortes.

Mary Frances Olsen (Padden), age 60. Born in Oak Harbor WA. Mary graduated from Anacortes High School and received her B.A. from WWU in Geography and Urban & Regional Planning. She traveled broadly to India, Europe, Iran and the South Seas. Mary cared for all of humanity with a boundless love. She was a universal teacher who lived by example, the one many called upon for guidance. Her love was indiscriminate, all-accepting, and extraordinarily pure. Lifelong, Mary trained her mind to develop knowledge and wisdom in science, philosophy, ancient archeology, sacred geometry, religion, metaphysics, and meditation. She devoted herself to a life of service to others, every day...

Jean Ann (Daluge) Houston of Anacortes, WA passed away on January 16, 2023, with her family by her side. A celebration of Jean's life will be held at 2:00pm on February 3, 2023, at Seafarers Memorial Park in Anacortes. A full obituary to follow. To share memories of Jean, please visit her online memorial at www.evanschapel.com.