HARRIET EATON

July 10, 1920 - July 27, 2016

Harriet Elizabeth Eaton passed away at the age of 96 on July 27, 2016. Harriet was born in Spokane, WA, July 10, 1920, to Rev. William Sharp Thorndike and Phoebe Emily (Sayer) Thorndike. Her father was a Presbyterian minister and the family was living in Othello at the time. In 1925 they moved to Concrete where she began her schooling, and 3 years later, moved to Acme.

When she was a Junior in high school, her family moved to Neah Bay where her father became the first non-Native minister on the Makah Indian Reservation. Neah Bay was just starting its first high school, as until then all students had attended an Indian School in Salem, OR. So Harriet stayed behind staying with families in Wickersham and Everson, so she could graduate from Mt. Baker High School; and did so, at age 16, tying for valedictorian.

That fall, she began her 2-year pre-nursing courses at Whitworth College in Spokane. She began dating Sydney Eaton the first week of school. In 1939 she began her 3-year nursing courses at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane. Sydney graduated in 1941 and began his 5th year for his teaching certificate. World War II started in December, but he was deferred from service until school was out.

Until that time all student nurses who got married had to leave the program. But an exception was made, and Harriet and Sydney had permission to marry. Her father performed the ceremony at Whitworth College on May 24, 1942, and Deaconess Hospital gave them a 3-week honeymoon before Sydney had to ship out to San Diego for Navy duty.

Harriet continued her training in September. The week after graduation she started working for Dr. Harriet Judy in Spokane. Later she moved to Sedro Woolley and worked for the Hunter-Simpson Clinic until the war ended.

Sydney was home, and they moved to Chehalis where he began his teaching career, teaching art at Chehalis High School. Their daughters, Judy and Trudy were born there.

They moved to Mount Vernon in 1959, when Sydney started the Art Department at Skagit Valley (Junior) College at the new campus. Harriet continued to work for many different doctors, finishing at Skagit Valley Medical Center, in 1993.

Harriet and Sydney enjoyed traveling, and on Sydney's sabbatical from SVC in 1970-71, they spent two months in the South Pacific and the Orient, and then lived on Maui, HI, for 7 months.

They continued vacationing on Maui for many years, until Sydney's passing in 1996.

Entertaining, hosting dinner parties for faculty friends and for church groups was something she and Sydney enjoyed doing. She also enjoyed making their rock-garden yard look like a well kept park.

Watching her sports teams (ironically, it started with the Sonics) football, baseball, and basketball, was a must; she was watching the Mariners the day before her passing. And more than anything, she loved following the achievements (escapades) of her grandchildren.

Being a Presbyterian from birth, Harriet was always very active in her church. For many years she sold Christmas and all-occasion cards at meetings and social gatherings. All the money was given to the church or Nurse's Association. In Chehalis, she contributed so much money to the church, she was given the honor of burning the church mortgage when it was paid off. Her faith was strong, but personal, with great respect and acceptance for other's beliefs, whatever they were.

Harriet was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Sydney; two brothers, William and David Thorndike (Isabel); and a sister, Gertrude (Lafe).

She is survived by her 2 daughters, Judy Ducken (Curt) in Bay View and Trudy Olmsted in Mount Vernon; 2 granddaughters, Shawn McTaggart (Tony) and Kaitlan Ducken (Nick); 3 grandsons, Jay McTaggart, Rob Olmsted (Molly and special great grandson, Derek), and Richard Olmsted; and 7 nieces and nephews and their children.

The family wishes to thank Eden Home Care, Hospice of the Northwest, and special friends who were a constant presence, for their help in caring for our Mom and Grandma, and supporting our family after her stroke.

Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Memorial Park in Mount Vernon.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a favorite charity.

A memorial service will be held at the Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church on Thursday, August 4, at 2:00.