H. BERNICE OLDOW PETRISH

January 25, 1928 -
June 22, 2018

Helen Bernice Petrish passed away on Friday, June 22, 2018 at the age of 90.

Bernice was born in Lyman, Washington on January 25, 1928, the second daughter born to Mack and Myrtle (Hittson) Sweeten. Mack, Myrtle and sister, Hazel were all born in Arkansas.

Bernice attended part of her first grade at Olympic Marsh School at Bayview, WA. The family then moved to Burlington, WA. Bernice graduated from the Burlington-Edison High School with the class of 1946.

She then worked for the Skagit County Assessor's Office in Mount Vernon, WA. While working there, she met Donald J. Oldow, a Merchant Mariner and they were married in 1948. They built a home at Padilla Heights on Fidalgo Island and blessed with two children, son John and daughter Kathleen.

These were wonderful years, as a family we enjoyed country living, horses, cattle, driving a tractor, gardening, canning, camping and touring the west coast area from Canada to Mexico. During these years, Bernice led a Cub Scout Troop for their son John and later a Brownie Troop for their daughter Kathleen. Also Bernice was a Room Mother at the Fidalgo Grade School on Fidalgo Island.

In 1967 Bernice and Don were divorced and Bernice went to Skagit Valley College for classes in Business Machines and Computers. She then got a job at the Skagit County Assessor's Office again where she completed 31 years before retiring.

In 1976, Bernice married Nick Petrish an employee of the Skagit County Sheriff's office in Mount Vernon. Nick passed away in 1990.

Later Bernice attended Skagit Valley College for Art Classes. She loved to paint oil paintings, water coloring and painting many pictures that she gave to her family and friends. She also loved sewing, hiking and caring for her pets.

Her greatest joy was her children, Dr. John Oldow and wife Lynda at Dallas, Texas, now living in La Conner; daughter, Kathleen Oldow Stover and husband, Bill Stover; Kathleen was employed as a RN at the Swedish Hospital for 25 years and is now employed at the Swinomish Indian Clinic in La Conner, and is living in Clinton, WA on Whidbey Island.

Mom moved to Logan Creek Retirement Home in January 2018, where she found friends and felt like family. She recently had said ... I think I have found Eden.

Bernice was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Mount Vernon, WA and loved the Lord who has guided and helped her every day of her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mack and Myrtle Sweeten; husband, Nick Petrish; sister, Hazel Spahr.

At Bernice's request there will be no service. Memorials may be given to the Humane Society of Skagit Valley, 18841 Kelleher Road, Burlington, WA 98233.

Oh mom ... you will be missed.

Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home.