Miriam L. Ewing

Service Information

 At Mom’s request, there will be no services at this time. 

Miriam Ewing is in Heaven with Jesus singing in the highest glory. Miriam Louise Anderson was born July 5,1928 in Seattle Washington to Charles and Ruth Anderson and passed away peacefully and quietly on February 9, 2022 at the age of 93. Miriam grew up in the Fremont District of Seattle where she had a view of Seattle from her bedroom on Evanston Street. It was there that she ran a neighborhood printing press interviewing neighbors for all the goings on in the neighborhood. She moved as a teenager with her family to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island where her father was an automobile mechanic and woodworker. She enjoyed her time living on the salt water and island life. Her father built a rowboat for her to participate in the Friday Harbor Rowboat Races. Her first job was at the Friday Harbor Cannery (think of I Love Lucy and the cans piling up in front of her). Mom was beautiful inside and out. She was Miss San Juan County and Apple Blossom Royalty. She graduated from Friday Harbor High School with her graduating class of nine seniors. She attended Western Washington College in Bellingham to pursue a degree in teaching and was a substitute teacher. It was there she was courted by Robert (Bob Ewing). They married in 1949 and celebrated 66 years together. They moved to Brawley, California where Bob was in the Border Patrol on the Mexican border and their eldest son, Charlie, was born. They moved to Blaine Washington in 1952 and made their family home with their four children. Our Mom charmed the socks off anyone who met her with her quiet demeanor and lending an ear to those who needed someone to listen. She was known for her home baked bread, lemon meringue and pumpkin pies and Santa Claus Cookies. She was an environmentalist before most had ever heard of it. She composted, recycled and repurposed. She grew her own vegetables and fruit and preserved her bounty by freezing and canning. She loved animals and took joy in listening for the first robin singing in the spring. On a crisp fall day, our family loved cleaning up the cider press and gathering apples to press, squeeze and can gallons of homemade apple juice. She loved hard work. The basement of our H Street home was hand dug by Mom, Dad and the boys using shovels and buckets. Family dinners and a balanced, healthy menu were important to her. She always had home baked yummy things for anyone who dropped by for a visit. Hot chocolate and cookies were readily available as well as first aid for the winter sledders on H Street Hill. She loved to ice skate and performed beautifully on the neighbor’s frozen pond. She loved a fierce bocce ball tournament, Monday night badminton or a good baseball game. She’d stay up all night playing card games with relatives. One of her favorite card games was “Oh Hell” which she renamed “Oh Beep”. Miriam was a volunteer and loved to help others. She and Bob were active participants in the Whatcom County Farm Forestry Association where they worked at the Annual Tree Sale and were awarded Farm Foresters of the Year for the tree farm they lovingly planted and maintained along the South Fork of the Nooksack River. She was a Cub Scout Leader for Pack 25 and active with Troop 25 Boy Scouts in Blaine, a Room Mother for her children’s classes at the Blaine Elementary School, active in the Christian Women’s Club and a melodic singer who sang at many events including the Blaine Music Study Club, her church, and countless weddings and funerals in the area. Mom’s favorite times were with her family hiking in the Cascade Wilderness, looking for sea glass and agates on the beach, building bonfires you could see from Russia, picnics, growing giant pumpkins for the family competition, and her raft trip 280 miles through the Grand Canyon in Arizona. She would draw pencil sketches of our camps or write a little jingle on large fungi clinging to tree stumps. Her favorite holidays were Christmas and April Fools Day. She was quite a prankster. Her sewing and knitting are exhibits of the love she had for traditions. This included knitting each of us, including her grandchildren, a hand knit Christmas stocking that she lovingly hung in her living room each Christmas, to sewing matching flannel PJ’s for the entire family that we looked forward to opening Christmas morning. Miriam is remembered for her infinite patience, her unwavering love of Jesus Christ as her personal Savior, and her quiet demeanor as she expressed kind and genuine concern for others. She adored her grandchildren. She is predeceased by her parents Charles and Ruth Anderson, her husband Bob in 2015, Her brother, Bruce Anderson, sister, Ruth Hodges, brother, Rex Anderson and brother, Charles Anderson. She is survived by her son Charlie (Kathy) Ewing, of Lynden, daughter Melinda Ewing (Mike Bellitto) of Lakewood, Colorado, son Bob Jr. (Lorena) of Washington DC, and daughter Mary Green (Jim) of Ferndale; five grandkids, Ken, Dan, Mark, Luke, Jonathan; five great grandchildren, Holly, Maya, Eli, Hudson and Elliott as well as many nieces and nephews and friends. 2nd Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me, the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day. We know you are at peace, Mom. Until we meet again. Hallelujah Praise God. Memorials are appreciated to Whatcom County Farm Forestry Association P.O. Box 1121, Bellingham, WA 98225 or Whatcom County Hospice, 2800 Douglas Avenue, Bellingham WA 98227.

Memories

From Lucas Ewing

I wrote the following on social media the day she passed, and I don't think I can improve on it so I'll share it here as well:

 

I just wanted people to know that she was the kindest person I've had the pleasure of knowing.

 

Infinitely patient, I don't have a single memory of her expressing animus or contempt. If she ever frowned, it was to express genuine concern about another person. She never spoke ill or swore, except to express her favorite phrase she picked up from Forrest Gump. I've never heard someone say "shit happens" with such cheer in their voice. Sometimes during my visits to Blaine, I would wake up to the sound of rifle fire as she was up at the crack of dawn, already plugging away at the rabbits in her garden.... I'll admit her smile was a little odd in this context haha.

 

Goodbye Miriam. I won't forget our walks to Canada, our rides on the Plover in Semiahmoo, collecting agates on the beach, or our extreme terrain bocce tournaments. You brought joy and life to so many. I'm grateful I was able to see you one last time before COVID separated us.

Feb 17, 2022

From Larry and Mars…

We had the privalge of knowing Bob and MIriam for many years and considered them great friends. So sorry for the passing of Miriam to all the family. We have some wonderful memories of them both and will cherish those memories. Larry and Marsha

Feb 20, 2022

From Mary Green

Thank you Larry and Marsha.  They considered you a good friend.  Dad spoke of you often, Larry,  and enjoyed working with you

Feb 20, 2022

From William M “Bil…

Your mother was a saint, and I have never forgotten the kindness shown to all of us who came to play basketball with Bob in your "barn."  She greeted us when we showed up without an invitation, fed us treats, and made sure we had a ride home.  I still think about Bob's delicious peanut butter and jam sandwiches made with her delicious homemade bread, which Bob would trade me for my peanut butter sandwiches made with store bought white bread! Both of your parents made my childhood in Blaine very, very special.  In fact, they made Blaine a very special community for many people of all ages.  My prayers are with all of you.  Warmest regards, Bill 

Feb 20, 2022

From Jan Westhoff

Mary & siblings - so sorry for your loss...was saddened to see her obit in today's paper (20th). Hardly know what to say...she meant so much to me

thru the years...so many precious memories....tears & much laughter too. Our sanctified gossip sessions on Monday mornings at Sally's...now those two

are having a happy reunion. Our craft sewing sessions at your mom's place,  She was the kind of friend evryone hopes for in life; so loving, so genuine, so full of crazy humor,  always prayed for you, never betrayed confidential conversation.....on & on. Can't wail 'til we meet again in Glory!   Jan

Feb 20, 2022

From Mary Green

Thank you Jan.  You had a very special place in Moms heart 

Feb 20, 2022

From Sue (Lyon) Anderson

To Mary and family, Want you to know that I have very fond memories of your Mom. Your Dad too. Had many sleepovers, meals and some fun adventures with your family. Especially to the Ellensburg Rodeo! Your Mother was such a kind, giving and generous lady!  What amazing patience she showed with two teenage girls and their mischievous notions! Very sorry for your loss. You know that she's in a better place now.

Most sincerely,

Sue Lyon

Feb 21, 2022

From Mary Green

Thank you Sue. It's so good to hear from you.  Thank you for your kind words. Thinking about the Ellensburg rodeo brought back another memory of when they hauled you and I to Friday Harbor with our horses for a few days of riding and fun there 

 

 

 

Feb 21, 2022

From Dawn Castle

I had the pleasure of Worshiping with Miriam, and Bob, for many years and when Bob passed I was sorry to lose track of Miriam.  She was always kind, interested and funny.  What a joy to be around.  I have looked for contact information for her on and off in the last several years and am sorry we were never able to see each other again.  I still have several recipes that she shared with me and when I make them I always tell stories of Miram.

So very sorry for your loss.

Feb 23, 2022

From MaryGreen

Thank you Dawn.  I'm so saddened you lost touch with Mom.  I'm sure she would've wanted to visit with you. She was a special person and a wonderful mother. God bless you

Mary

Feb 23, 2022

From Brady Bobbink

My childhood memories are all tied up with the friendship of your folks, the Goffs, us and others. I have vivid memories of learning Bocci, playing badmitton with the adult club, sledding and driving fast on the go-card circle at your H St. place. When I think in particular of your mom, I remember her in the choir, welcoming me to your house, great treats and the warmth that never failed, plus that killer smile and welcoming voice. My prayers are with you "kids", having lost my mom, same age, 3 yrs. ago. Such a big absence mixed in with the confidence that comes from her living vital faith. Sorrow and joy mingled down. My sister and brother are both off traveling but I will pass on your beautiful tribute to your beautiful mom. A BIG amen to her life and impact. 

Feb 24, 2022

From Mary Green

Thank you Brady.  Those were wonderful memories you shared.  It warms our hearts to discover how much of an impact she had on so many people.  Your family and your Mom and Dad were a big part of our lives too. 

God Bless you

Feb 24, 2022

From Mary Green

Thank you Bill. It's amazing how many things our parents did to help impact and shape the lives of the Blaine kids in a very good way.  We were very blessed 

Feb 24, 2022

From Wilma Freeman Snmith

Dear Melinda, Charley, Bob, and Mary, my heart breaks for you at the loss of your lovely mother.  She will always hold a special place in my heart, as will you all.  Her walk with Christ was a special blessing to me. I look forward to meeting with her again one day at Jesus' feet. God bless you all at this time.  Melinda, I would love to hear from you. Much love, Wilma

Feb 25, 2022

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