JACKIE YVONNE BURNS

1928 - 2011

Jackie Yvonne Burns, age 82, of Anacortes, passed away Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon after a brief illness. She was born in Bristow, Oklahoma on June 21, 1928 to Esther Effie and Norman Rae Willeford.

Her father passed away in 1929 and her mother then married Revel Smith in Depew, Oklahoma and her family lived there until 1942. At that time they moved to San Francisco so that her father could work in the ship yards there for the war effort.

Jackie graduated from high school during their time in San Francisco. Jackie worked for General Telephone Company of Everett, WA and retired in 1990, after which she spent many hours volunteering for several organizations, including the Everett Crisis Center and Cancer Society Thrift Store, and the Stillaguamish Senior Center in Smokey Point, WA.

After relocating to Anacortes in 1998, she continued to volunteer, spending her time at the Anacortes Senior Center, the New Beginnings Thrift Store, and the Soroptimist's Thrift Shop.

In 2008 Jackie had to give up her home due to her failing health and moved to Where the Heart Is in Burlington, WA where she made many dear friends.

She was a member of the Everett chapter of Sweet Adelines and was an artist whose beautiful oil paintings grace many walls of friends and family.

Jackie was preceded in death by her parents and three of her children, daughters, Catherine Ann Harmon and Nancy Lynn Potter, and step-son, Randy Jay Burns.

She is survived by her sister, Jimmie Kilbourne of Whittemore, MI and her brother, Robert Smith of Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is also survived by son, Jim Harmon (Cheryl) of Port Hueneme, CA, son, Zac Harmon (Carol) of Long Beach, CA, daughter, Sharon Weaver (Jim) of Anacortes, WA; step-daughter, Lori Beetchenow of Omak, WA; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends.

Jackie attended Anacortes Christian Church and leaves many dear friends there. She will be dearly missed by her family who all loved her so much.

We will share in a Memorial Service for her at 2:00 pm., Sunday, March 20, 2011 at the Anacortes Christian Church. Please come and share memories with us.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands.

To share memories of Jackie, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.