YVONNE RUBY COTE

1922 - 2011

Following a brief illness, Yvonne Cote passed from this world into the waiting arms of her Savior, Jesus, on February 6, 2011. She was born on March 22, 1922 to Henry E. DeLey and Ruby Georgiana (Payne) DeLey in Winnipeg, Canada.

The family moved to Burbank, CA when she was 6 months of age. Her mother's death a year later made it necessary for her to live with both her maternal and fraternal grandparents, first in Los Angeles and later in Eaglerock.

During the depression Yvonne and her grandparents moved to Pasadena, CA, where she graduated from Pasadena High School and Jr. College. She was always proud that the graduations were held in the Rose Bowl.

During WW II, Yvonne met her husband, Gilles B. Cote, a B-24 pilot, with the Army Air Corps. They were married in Albuquerque, NM, on February 9, 1944. After Gilles' return from overseas, they were stationed in Pueblo, CO, where their daughter Arlene was born. Two years later, while living in West Covina, CA, their second daughter, Michelle was born in Alhambra, CA.

During the Korean conflict, her husband was sent to an RAF Base in England, where Yvonne and her daughters joined him for three wonderful years. Following a brief, one year tour of duty at Offutt AFB in Omaha, NE, they were transferred to Westover AFB in Chicopee, MA, where their third daughter, Denise was born. While living in Chicopee, Yvonne began teaching at the Westover Air Force Base pre-school.

She went on years later to obtain an Associate degree in early childhood education. Yvonne eventually became the director of St. Marks Methodist Church preschool in San Diego, CA. Also, while living in Chicopee, she and Gilles began a love of sailing which spanned 30 years, many of them in boats which were built by Gilles. Following Gilles' retirement in 1966, they moved to San Diego, CA, where they lived for 20 years.

While traveling to visit relatives in Victoria Canada in 1985, they passed through Anacortes, WA. By this time, Gilles had taken up flying again and they decided that Anacortes was the perfect place to enjoy sailing and flying. They moved there in May of 1986 and never looked back.

They joined a flying group and regularly flew to various local airports for lunch. Her husband, Gilles, was killed in January of 1994, off the Coast of Lopez Island, while flying his plane from Port Angeles to Anacortes.

By this time Yvonne was very active in her church, the First Baptist Church of Anacortes. They gave her support through this difficult time. She also became active in the Skagit Widow Support group. Yvonne loved her Lord and serving in the church. She had an amazing, beautiful voice and sang in church choirs wherever she was living. At First Baptist she loved singing in the choir and also in a trio.

Anacortes has lost one of its most active boosters. Yvonne volunteered for 21 years at Island Hospital, accumulating over 3500 hours. She also enjoyed her volunteer work at the Visitors and Information Center in Anacortes.

Yvonne supported all the local shops in town, loved the ACT Theater, the Anacortes Museum and never missed the annual Fourth of July town photo and parade.

Yvonne leaves behind her daughters, Arlene French (Bill) of Anacortes, Michelle Bolling (KD) of Abingdon, VA, and Denise Cote, of Anacortes; grandchildren, William French (Cindy) of Kenmore, WA, Jennifer Kind (Tom) of Tacoma, WA, Sharon Bolling (Kenny) of Abingdon, VA, John Herman Ekko (Twylah) of Henrico, VA, and Dan Deutsche (Tina) of Boise, ID; and 14 great-grandchildren.

It was her desire that any memorial contributions be made to any conservation or charitable group, or any Christian/Mission organization. A memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 17, 2011 at the First Baptist Church of Anacortes.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands.
To share memories of Yvonne, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com