Demaris Fulcher

1933 - 2025

Demaris Ann Fulcher, 92, Everett native and longtime Whidbey Islander, died quietly October 24, 2025. Dee was born in Everett August 24, 1933 to Lawrence and Nereide Porter. Along with her brother David Porter (1939-2021), she grew up on Everett's storied Rucker Hill, spent summers on Whidbey Island, and graduated from Everett High School.

After earning her teaching degree from Central Washington Education College (now Central Washington University), she taught in the Bellevue public schools, where she met and married former South Whidbey Public Schools Superintendent Robert Whitehead (1933-2001). She and Bob spent the 1960s to 1980s raising family in Houghton (now Kirkland) WA, Minnetonka MN, San Francisco and Carmel CA.

After returning to the Northwest, Dee continued elementary teaching in the South Whidbey schools for two decades. She and her second husband Dick Fulcher (1927-2018) ran Smugglers Cove Bed and Breakfast in Greenbank. Dee enthusiastically hosted countless guests and family events, sharing her kindness and beautiful smile. Dee also traveled extensively to Europe, Russia and China.

Dee is survived by her three children, Jay (Anne-Sophie), Dane (Kenna) and Jodi Whitehead, and their children Alexandra, Tristan, Gage (Grace and children Florence and Arthur) and Margaux, sisters-in-law Roseanne Porter and Marjorie Schuyler, nieces Gay Fitzpatrick and Lisa Porter, as well as four step-children, Edie (Rick), Rick (Jan), Susan and Jay (Kim) Fulcher, their children and grandchildren.

To honor Dee's beautiful life, please consider donations to Whidbey Health Hospice via WhidbeyHealthFoundation.org.