Lopez Island resident Rick Van Eeckhout, 60, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Dec. 23, 2010. His wife of 24 years, Barbara, and sons Joseph and Nicolas survive him. Additionally, he is survived by brother, Raymond (Linda) of Lake Forest, Ill., and nephew JR. Locally, he is survived by his sister-in-law, Kathy (Kenny) Oberreit, and beloved nieces Marliese, Savannah, Rose and Hope.
Love Pearl Yates was born Nov. 14, 1931 in Dixon, Mo., and died Dec. 27, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. She was the oldest child of Gayle Thomas and Love B. Parker. She graduated as valedictorian of Dixon High School in 1949 and began teaching at the age of 19 in her hometown of Dixon. She was a member of Alpha Phi social sorority at Drury College in Springfield, Mo., and in 1976 graduated from Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas, with a master’s degree in educational counseling. She completed her career as special education director at Northwest ISD, Justin, Texas, in 1988.
David E. Ross was born July 5, 1945 on Mercer Island, Wash. He passed away peacefully with Judie Ross at his side on Dec. 24, 2010 at University of Washington Hospital in Seattle. He developed Pulmonary Fibrosis several years ago and had a successful lung transplant on Oct. 6, 2010. Unfortunately, he was unable to win the fight against a virus.
A memorial service is being planned for Dave Ross, former president of Aeronautical Services. Mr. Ross, 65, died Dec. 24 at University of Washington Hospital from complications from a lung transplant. His wife, Judie, was at his side.
Bernice Anita Mason, 95, of Friday Harbor, Wash., died Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010 at Life Care Center of the San Juan Islands. Grandma was a devoted wife and very loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was born on San Juan Island and lived here all her life. She loved the simple island life and being close to her family. Bernice was close to and loved her siblings: Mildred, Elaine, and brother, Walt.
Shirley Suttles passed away peacefully on Friday, Nov. 26. She was 88. Shirley Janet Smith was born March 25, 1922 in Seattle, the third child of Walker Conger Smith and Marie Beidel Smith. Her parents were both active in the labor movement. Her father was a member of the Industrial Workers of the World, the editor of several labor newspapers, and the author of “The Everett Massacre” and numerous IWW pamphlets and editorials. He died in 1927, when Shirley was only five years old, leaving Marie with Shirley and her older sisters to support as a worker in a dry-cleaning plant through the Great Depression. Walker’s writings and Marie’s cheerful and stoic determination had a strong influence on Shirley’s development and choice of career as a writer.
Dad’s gone, so it’s not about him. It’s about us and how he made us feel, how he left a wake of smiles with his humor, his positive energy and appreciation. He was down from Juneau with us only three years and wasn’t exactly a social butterfly, but everyone who came in contact with him felt his workingman Buddha essence and glowed with it. I know I did, and feel blessed.
Phil Robertson, a longtime resident of Shaw Island, passed away peacefully at home. He was 90. He was a native of San Francisco and lived there until moving to Shaw Island. A World War II veteran, he served in Europe and the Pacific.
John D. Lacher, father of Friday Harbor Mayor Carrie Lacher, died Monday, Oct. 25 after suffering a heart attack. He was 82. John was blessed with an easeful passing in the loving presence of wife Mary, daughter Lauren Cole, and son Kurt Lacher. John was born in Seattle, Wash. on July 24, 1928. John and Mary met at the University of Washington as students. They were married on July 8, 1950. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this summer. Children and grandchildren gathered from across the country to share stories, smiles and hugs that will long be remembered.
Nikki Fink, 28, of Friday Harbor, Wash., died of cystic fibrosis at University of Washington Medical Center after an extended stay while awaiting a lung transplant.
Graveside service for Nikki Fink is Saturday, Oct. 23, at 3 p.m. at St. Francis Cemetery on San Juan Island. The service will be followed by a celebration of life, 4-6 p.m., at Rumor Mill.
As Nikki Fink lay in her hospital bed, her body fighting infection so she could get a life-saving lung transplant, family and friends prayed. They prayed for healing. They prayed for a miracle. The 28-year-old woman died peacefully, on a cool fall Sunday afternoon, surrounded by those who love her. And those in the room realized that their prayer had been answered, long before they ever offered it up.
Kathryn Pinion, a centenarian who worked for the clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives during the New Deal, died Thursday morning in her apartment at Village at the Harbour in Friday Harbor. Her daughters were at her side.
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