SHIRLEY LINDBLOOM DONALDSON

1926 - 2010

Shirley Lindbloom Donaldson, age 83, a longtime and well-known Artist of Skagit Valley, passed away peacefully into the Arms of her Lord Jesus on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at a local care facility in Mount Vernon.

Shirley was born to pioneering parents in 1926 and raised in Skagit Valley. Her family operated a large Dairy Farm in Big Lake known as the "Day Lumber Company Farm".

Shirley began painting watercolor and doing pastels at a very young age. By age eleven, she was winning awards at the local fair for her very detailed and precise paintings.

In high school she did art (lino cuts) for the newspaper and took some art instruction. In 1953 she began taking classes after she got off from work every day. Her teachers were well-known artists Marshall, Chong, Becker, Mulvy, Lizal Salzer and also William Jones, whom Presdient Ronald and Nancy Reagan chose to paint their Christmas cards one year.

Shirley married Howard W. Donaldson on February 9, 1956 in Seattle where they raised two children.

Shirley also worked in advertising and for an interior decorator, all of which left no time to paint.

In 1963 her painting came to a standstill when they moved to Denver. All the while she continued to work full-time, while also taking any creative courses that time would allow. Later after they returned to Seattle her health began to deteriorate. When full-time work became impossible, she began teaching painting at Burien Cultural Arts. She also taught private classes in Everett and Burlington.

Shirley was especially honored to win second place in the Northwest Watercolor Society and won other awards for several years at juried shows. Her paintings have been sold in the United States, Hawaii and Canada. When too seriously ill in the early 1970's to be creative, she eventually refused to have anything more to do with painting. It wasn't until she began to regain her health in 1994 that the desire and interest in art slowly returned again. "My art and restored health are a blessing and gift from God" she declared.

Shirley was then able to do some traveling, intensive gardening, painting, cooking and was involved in church projects and activities. Shirley loved music, especially gospel, and nature. Shirley was a member of Territorial Daughters and Skagit Art Association.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Howard W. Donaldson of the family home; daughter, Denise Eileen and her husband George Ball of Bellingham; son, James "Jim" Moen II of Lewiston, Idaho; brothers, Robert B. Lindbloom of Burlington and William "Bill" Lindbloom of Reedsport, Oregon; grandchildren, James Moen III of Olympia, April Habel of Rochester, Miranda R. Moen Windhorst of Lewiston, Idaho, Dorene C. Bahzad of Everson, Valerie A. Birtchet and Maria R. Kamp, both of Bellingham, as well as thirteen great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Hector H. and Sydney A. (Copenspire) Lindbloom; and sister-in-law, Hazel Lindbloom.

Memorials may be given in memory of Shirley to Children's Hospital Foundation, MS/S 200, P.O. Box 50020, Seattle, WA 98145-5020 or Skagit County Historical Museum, P.O. Box 818, La Conner, WA 98257 or the Humane Society of Skagit Valley, 18841 Kelleher Road, Burlington, WA 98233.

A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 1:00 PM at Kern Funeral Home, a Graveside Service will follow at Hawthorne Memorial Park.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home, Mount Vernon.