Annette Isabel Hightower

1938 - 2016

Annette Isabel Hightower

October 26, 1938 ~ June 27, 2016

Annette Isabel Hightower passed away on June 27, 2016. A long-time resident of Renton, Wash., Annette was surrounded by her husband of 54 years, John Charles Hightower, and her family at her residence, Angel Arms Adult Family Home, in Kent.

Born on October 26, 1938, in Helena, Mont., to Earl and Isabel (Williams) Zuelke, she grew up in Helena along with her older brother, Earl Charles Jr. Annette graduated from Helena High School in 1956, Carroll College in 1960, and attended Creighton Medical School. She moved to Seattle in 1961 to work at the University of Washington Medical Center where she was part of the team that developed the first kidney dialysis machine. After meeting John at a church dance, the two were married at St. Mary's Parish in Helena, Mont., on June 16, 1962. Making their home in Renton, Annette and John raised six children.

A cancer survivor, Annette was an active volunteer teaching and working within her church community of St. Anthony's. She loved knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch and needlepoint as well as reading. Annette and John enjoyed traveling with their six children to Montana every summer. After their children were grown, Annette and John enjoyed attending World Cup soccer and Olympic venues. They traveled extensively throughout Western Europe on church pilgrimages.

Annette was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Isabel Zuelke, her brother-in-law, Rev. Oliver Lee Hightower, and her granddaughter, Molly Hightower. She is survived by her husband, John, her brother, Earl Charles Jr., and her children and grandchildren: Michael (Mary; Jordan, Zachary, Sean), Paul (Margot), Therese, Christina (Mark; Olivia, Isabel, Broghan), Rev. Craig Hightower, S.J., and Jeff (Kiko; Hailey).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Anthony's Catholic Church Friday, July 1, at 11:00 a.m. with a reception to follow at the parish hall. The Rosary will begin at 10:00 a.m.

Interment is scheduled for 2:30pm at Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery in Federal Way, Wash. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Molly Hightower Fund, Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos, 1800 112th Ave., Suite 270-E, Bellevue, Wash., 98004.

Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home of Tacoma, Wash., 253-572-6003.