Burnah VandeGeest

Burnah VandeGeest

1918-2005

Burnah VandeGeest, 86, of Camano Island, was born in Lynden, Washington, to Paul and Jenny Henderson, on April 1, 1918. Burnah passed away on March 1, 2005, after a bout with pneumonia, following four years of loving special care at Josephine Sunset Home in Stanwood. Burnah and her late husband, Ed VandeGeest, were long time resident of Camano Island.
This very special lady was a friend to many during her working days. These friendships have continued until the present time. Burnah was admired for her work habits and abilities. Relatives of Burnah have November 14, 1970 news clippings from the Everett Herald with large headlines: "Woman's Promotion Ends Male Hold on USDA Post" and from the Stanwood News: "Camano Woman 1st in Job". From the Herald: "Women's liberation aside, Mrs. Burnah VandeGeest of Camano Island was recently promoted Assistant County Supervisor at the U. S. Department of Agriculture, USDA, Farmer's Home Administration - an assignment that traditionally goes to men. Mrs. VandeGeest is actually the first woman in the United States to be named to such a post. She had worked for the FHA for 30 years and was the natural selection for the meritorious promotion when the office became vacant. Her duties deal with rural housing activities from counseling to interviewing perspective candidates for FHA rural housing loans."
Besides her husband, Burnah was preceded in death by her parents; and her sister, Dorothy Hickok.
She will be greatly missed by her brother-in-law, Gene (Marilyn) Hickok; niece, Jan (Wayne) Tanaka, and their children, Ryan and Kelly Tanaka of Bellevue, Washington; nephew, Steve (Linda) Hickok and their children, Katie and Laurie Hickok of Lake Oswego, Oregon. Also mourning her death are her sisters--in-law, Klasina VandeGeest of Lynnwood, and Johene Biever of Issaquah; and nephews, Bob (Shirley) VanGilst and their daughter, Joanie of East Wenatchee, and John (Kay) VandeGeest and their children, Samantha and Chris of Australia.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 26, at Josephine Sunset Home, 9901 272nd Place, N.W., Stanwood, Washington.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Josephine Sunset Home Scholarship Fund or the Josephine Sunset Home Good Samaritan Fund.
Arrangements under the direction of Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood.