British Columbia, Canada Obituaries and Death Notices Collection
CanadianObits.com - BRITISH COLUMBIA - Various - Miscellaneous Obituaries - 386
Posted By: CanadianObits.com Date: Tuesday, 10 December 2024, at 3:23 a.m.
Fitzgerald, Bernard M. "Jerry"
Sunday, 20 Dec 2009
Bernard M. "Jerry" Fitzgerald, 83, died Dec. 20, 2008, at Island Hospital, Anacortes, following a lengthy illness.
He was born June 6, 1925, in Cambridge, Mass., to Bernard and Gwendolyn (Nicoll) Fitzgerald, the oldest of six boys.
Jerry quit school during his senior year and lied about his age to enlist.
He entered the U.S. Navy one month before the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Jerry was quickly pressed into service, serving as an aviation ordinanceman.
He soon was trained as an enlisted pilot in the U.S. Navy.
He served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, mainly as a bow gunner on escort missions.
He was married to the former Dorothy E. Pettit in Miami, Fla., on April 5, 1944.
Jerry remained on active duty through the Korean War.
Enlisted pilots were removed from duty and Jerry began training officers for aerial combat service.
On June 25, 1957, he was commissioned as a naval officer.
In 1968, he was transferred to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.
He served in Vietnam, with riverboats in the Mekong Delta and served a total of 16 years at sea.
Jerry retired from the U.S. Navy as a commander on Feb. 1, 1972.
He continued his love of learning by receiving his AA at Skagit Valley College and then his Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Western Washington University, graduating magna cum laude and completed two years toward his Master's.
Jerry also worked as a schoolbus driver for the Oak Harbor School District for eight years, following his military retirement.
Jerry and Dorothy loved to travel and were able to travel the world.
Dorothy became ill and Jerry was her primary caregiver before her death in 1994.
He married the former Jean (Vandersloot) Railsback on March 21, 1999.
Jerry and Jean continued traveling.
Jerry had visited over 130 countries and sailed around the world many times in his lifetime.
Jerry was a member of the Military Officers Retirement Association, the Whidbey Golf and Country Club, the Oak Harbor Yacht Club and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church of Oak Harbor.
He and Jean also enjoyed ballroom dancing.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Jean, at the family home and by five children: his son, Terry Kevin Fitzgerald (Julia) of Ferndale, his daughter, Doreen Elizabeth Milward (Douglas) of Olympia, William Railsback (Laura) of Palm Desert, Calif., Donald Railsback of Houston, and Rich Railsback (Lorraine) of Chehalis; and one grandson, Michael Fitzgerald of Ferndale.
Two brothers, Donald Fitzgerald of Florida and Walter Fitzgerald of Massachusetts, also survive.
Funeral services for Jerry Fitzgerald will be held on Saturday, Dec. 27, at 1 p.m. at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, with Bishop Sanford Hampton officiating.
Military honors will follow under the auspices of the NAS Whidbey Island Honor Guard.
Burial will be held at Maple Leaf Cemetery.
Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
Cowling, F. Virginia
Saturday, 14 Nov 2009
F. Virginia Cowling died on Nov. 14, at her home in Suquamish.
She was 92 years old, and was preceded in death by her mother and father, Flora and Eli Jones, and her brother, Morland Jones.
Her final wish was realized with the acceptance of her body for research by the University of Washington Medical Center.
Cowling was born in Las Vegas, Nev., Oct. 27, 1916, grew up in Spokane, receiving graduate and post graduate degrees from the University of Washington in Seattle.
It was there that she met her husband-to-be, William "Bill" Cowling.
They were married in Seattle, on February 13, 1937.
Virginia was a supervisory case worker at the King County Welfare Department, a psychiatric social worker and clinical instructor at the University of Washington Child Psychiatric Clinic, a social worker at Shoreline School District, and the executive director of the Travelers Aid Society, Seattle.
Virginia and Bill purchased forest acreage with two streams near Suquamish, Washington in 1967.
They built their home on this beautiful land, and moved there permanently in 1972.
With their permission and support, the Suquamish Tribe built their first hatchery on the two Cowling streams in 1977.
Bill passed away at home in 1982, and his ashes were spread among the trees overlooking the streams.
Described by her friends as an astounding person - generous, caring, magnificent and brilliant - Virginia was quick to see the value of new ideas and to support them.
She was a charter member of KCTS, Group Health Cooperative, and REI, and supported many national and local charitable organizations.
These included the American Friends Service Committee, Seattle Foundation, Group Health Community Foundation, Stillwaters Environmental Education Center, Great Peninsula Conservancy, Friends of Miller Bay and Suquamish Olalla Neighbors.
She was a powerful advocate for the environment and for better relations between the local Native American and non-native communities.
The Suquamish Tribe recognized her as a Tribal Elder for her wisdom and sincerity, an honor she deeply appreciated as a Caucasian woman. \
Virginia's home was donated to the Suquamish Tribe for the Tribe's Salmon Center and will serve as the community gateway to the Cowling Creek Forest Preserve.
The Cowling Creek Salmon Center will focus on education and research with the Tribe's Cowling Creek Hatchery and beach seining programs. The Center will continue 32 years of cooperative salmon restoration with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Kitsap County, local cities, local schools, Trout Unlimited, Mid Puget Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group, and many other environmental organizations and private citizens.
Virginia's ashes will be returned to her beloved land in a private ceremony to join her husband's ashes.
Her life will be celebrated with a noon memorial picnic on April 25th, 2009, at the Suquamish Tribe's new Cowling Creek Salmon Center (20325 Miller Bay Road NE, Poulsbo).
This will coincide with the Tribe's 32nd annual release of salmon into Cowling Creek.
Remembrances may be made to the Cowling Creek Forest Preserve c/o the Great Peninsula Conservancy (www.greatpeninsula.org).
Meyers, Paul J.
Sunday, 08 Nov 2009
Paul J. Meyers, 58, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., passed away Nov. 6, 2008, after an illness.
He served 22 years in the U.S. Air Force, including tours in Vietnam and Saudi Arabia.
Mr. Meyers also earned several medals for his dedicated service to his country.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth E. Myers of Myrtle Beach; father Raymond Meyers of Oak Harbor; son, Jeffrey T. Myers and his wife, Chrissy of Myrtle Beach; daughter, Tamara Lemen and her husband, Jeff of Crotherville, Ind.; four grandsons; two sisters, Fawn Strutters and husband, Dan of Payson, Ariz., and Peri Ann Myers of Oak Harbor.
Moullen, Charles L.
Monday, 02 Mar 2009
Charles L. Moullen, 95, long-time Whidbey Island resident, died at his Oak Harbor home on March 2, 2009, following a brief illness.
Friends are invited to join the family at a Reception and Celebration of Charles' Life, to be held at Regency on Whidbey Assisted Living, 1040 SW Kimball Dr., Oak Harbor, on Sunday, March 8, at 2 p.m.
Arrangements are with the assistance of Whidbey Memorial Funeral and Cremation Service, Inc., Oak Harbor.
Charles M. Hendrix
Jan. 12, 1934 - Feb. 28, 2009
Charles Hendrix, 75 of Oak Harbor, died Feb. 28, 2009, in Coupeville.
He was born Jan. 12, 1934, in Paradise, Calif., to Benjamin Franklin and Nellie (Phillips) Hendrix.
On Dec. 2, 1961, Charles married Marian Michel in Reno, Nev.
Charles served in the United States Army and the United States Air Force, retiring from the Air Force with the rank of master sergeant on Sept. 30, 1973.
Following his retirement, he worked as a mechanic for Boeing, retiring in 1993.
Charles and Marian moved to the island from Spokane in 2001.
Survivors include his wife Marian of Oak Harbor; five children; 11 grandchildren; and one sister.
There will be no services at this time.
Burley Funeral Chapel in Oak Harbor has been entrusted with arrangements.
Totland, Virginia
Sunday, 01 Mar 2009
Virginia R. Totland, 88, of Freeland, died March 1, 2009 at Careage of Whidbey in Coupeville.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, March 6 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland.
Visser Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.
Jennings, Betty Sue
Saturday, 28 Feb 2009
Betty Sue Jennings, 83, passed away Feb. 28, 2009, at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. She was born Oct. 3, 1925, in Battle Mountain, Nev., to Harry and Clara (Parfet) Lauritzen. Betty grew up in Battle Mountain, later residing in Sacramento and San Diego, Calif., where she graduated from high school. She was married to Ed Jennings on Feb. 10, 1943, in San Diego. While her husband served with the U.S. Navy, they resided in many places until settling in Oak Harbor, residing there for many years. After Ed's passing in 2000, she has resided in Sedro-Woolley since 2001. Betty and Ed owned and operated the Deception Pass Grocery and later operated the Round-Tu-It gift shop in Oak Harbor. She was active in her community and was an active member of the Sedro-Woolley and Burlington senior centers as well as serving as a board member of SCOA. Betty was a 50-year member of Madrona Chapter 89 Order of Eastern Star in Anacortes and Tula Chapter 26 Order of Eastern Star of Coupeville, Daughters of the Nile 1 in Seattle, and the Royal Order of Amaranth. She also enjoyed knitting and sewing. Betty is survived by her four children, Vicki McCuistion and her husband David of Stanwood, Jackson Jennings and his wife Patricia of Hope, R.I., Ric Jennings and his wife Marcia of Sedro-Woolley, and Rebecca Chamberlin and her husband Rick of Concrete; eight grandchildren, Lynnda Parker of Holderness, N.H., Shawn Casey of Bonita Springs, Fla., Shannon Harriman of Fryeburg, Maine, Janell McCuistion of Santa Cruz, Calif., Michael Chamberlin of Chicago, Jacob Jennings of Sedro-Woolley, Matt Jennings of Burlington and Colette Prouty of Sedro-Woolley; 17 great-grandchildren; and her brother, Bill Dohse of Mexico. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Edwin, and a brother, Bob Dohse. Funeral services will be Saturday, March 7, at 11 a.m. at Northern Peaks Christian Fellowship in Sedro-Woolley with Pastor Steve Fish officiating with a reception following at the church. Interment will be at 2 p.m. at the Sunnyside Cemetery in Coupeville. Visitation will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Friday at Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association. Arrangements and Services under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
Vaughn, Marylin Joyce
Friday, 27 Feb 2009
Marylin Joyce Vaughn, 74, of Oak Harbor, died Feb. 27, 2009, at Skagit Valley Hospital following a lengthy illness. Mrs. Vaughn was born in Lincoln, Neb., on Nov. 29, 1934, to Martin C. and L. Bernice (Huff) Boisen. She was raised in Lincoln, where she graduated from high school and attended several years of college. Marylin married Glen D. Vaughn on Feb. 17, 1962 at North Shore Baptist Church in Chicago. The couple resided in Carpentersville and Norridge, Ill., over the years, moving to Oak Harbor in 2004. Marylin served on many hospitality committees in residential communities while living in Illinois. She was also an ombudsman for Cook County, Ill. She loved traveling with her husband. Marylin was a member of the Bible Baptist Church. In addition to her husband, Glen, at home in Oak Harbor, Marylin is survived by two sons, David P. Vaughn (Anne) of Lowell, Ind., and Stephen M. Vaughn (Sherri) of Oak Harbor; two grandchildren, Tony and Shayna Vaughn, both of Lowell, Ind.; two nephews, Martin L. Boisen (Lisa) of Huntley, Ill., and Marc Boisen (Debbie) of Barrington, Ill. She was preceded in death by her brother, Martin R. Boisen. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 4, at 11 a.m., at the Bible Baptist Church, Pastor Jeremiah Sargent officiating. Interment will take place Thursday, March 5, at 10:15 a.m. at Tahoma National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Bible Baptist Church, 1701 Harns Rd., Oak Harbor, WA 98277; and/or to SightLife (an organization which assists in corneal donations), 221 Yale Ave. N., Suite 450, Seattle, WA 98109-5490. Arrangements are with the assistance of Whidbey Memorial Funeral & Cremation Service, 746 NE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor.
