Margaret Joan Brown

Maggie, age 68, passed away peacefully at home on July 21, 2009 from cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family.

A private graveside service is scheduled Aug. 2 at Valley Cemetery, followed by a Celebration of Life, 2:30 p.m., in the San Juan Island Yacht Club.

She was born on Aug. 19, 1941 to Joe and Anna Barrett in Manhattan, Kan., the third of eight children. She also had a half sibling.

She met the love of her life, her husband Brian, at Kayak Point Resort in Stanwood, which was being run by her parents. They were married and started their family in Marysville, and lived for several years in Olympia before settling in Friday Harbor in 1976. Maggie and Brian celebrated 49 wonderful years together on July 14.

Her greatest joy in life was her family. Maggie and Brian raised three children and were thrilled with the arrival (finally) of six terrific grandchildren. Their children and families are: son Gene and his wife Debbie, with their daughter, Meg, of Vail, Ariz.; daughter Theresa Chevalier and her husband, Mitchell, with their sons Sean and Lucas, of Friday Harbor; and son Daniel and his wife, Leslie, with their daughters Isabella and Olivia and son Julian, also of Friday Harbor.

Maggie enjoyed her time working at San Juan County Bank and at various retail stores in town. She was active in her community, which she cherished. She volunteered at the Blood Bank and with the Booster Club, and was instrumental in the formation of the Purple and Gold Club in 1978. She was always an avid supporter of her children’s and grandchildren’s school activities.

Maggie’s hobbies and activities included drawing, knitting, dancing, swimming, traveling and boating.

Maggie touched many lives with her warmth, generosity, kindness and easy smile.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Maggie’s honor to San Juan EMS, P.O. Box 1518, Friday Harbor 98250; or San Juan Eagles, P.O. Box 2299, Friday Harbor 98250.

— Family of Margaret Joan Brown