Amanda Sarah Wilkins

1990 - 2016

Amanda Sarah Wilkins, 25, of Mount Vernon, Wash. died Monday, May 9, 2016, unexpectedly in her home. Amanda was born June 15, 1990, in Longview, Wash. and was a longtime resident of Mount Vernon. Amanda graduated from Mount Vernon High School and was an active volleyball, basketball, soccer, and softball player. In time she was granted her angel wings on May 9, 2016, following a long illness. Her final days were spent surrounded by family and friends that Amanda had touched in some small way through her very memorable life. Amanda's life would seem too short to many, but those who were touched by her understand the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time which one lives. Her gentle smile could melt the hearts of those around her through times of struggle. Amanda will be dearly missed by all those she has befriended throughout her medical ordeal. All of these special people, too numerous to mention, provided Amanda with love and dignity in her life and also her death. Amanda is survived by her beautiful children, Xander and Autumn Empson; her loving parents, Nick and Carmen Sanchez of Everett, Washington; companion, Michael Empson; maternal grandmother, Maria C. Viscalla of Mount Vernon; sisters, Ashley West and Diana Ayala Sanchez; brothers, Mark Wilkins and his wife Sarah; Jeff West of Everett; uncle and aunt, Dan and Rachel Martin of Mount Vernon, uncle and aunt, Edward and Mindee Viscalla of Bothell, Wash., uncle, Elie Viscalla of Sumas, Wash.; nephews, Nathen West, Andrew and Gabriel Angel and Elijah West; and nieces, Kendal Wilkins, Samantha and Isabel Viscalla; and cousins, Benjamin and Jennifer Viscalla, Sarah Viscalla, and Adam Viscalla. Amanda is preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Eliseo Jose Viscalla in 1992. Public visitation for Amanda will be held at Kern Funeral Home on Monday, May 16, 2016, from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at 12:15 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 400 North 15th St, Mount Vernon, WA. A rite of committal will follow at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, 17666 Valentine Road, Mount Vernon, with a potluck reception to follow at St. Joseph Parish Center, across from the church, 215 N 15th St. Mount Vernon. Memorials can be made to Oasis Teen Shelter, YMCA, 215 East Fulton Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. You may share your memories of Amanda and sign her online guest register at www.kernfuneralhome.com Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home.