Ellen C. Fowles

Ellen Claire Fowles, age 93, died in Bellingham on November 23, 2012.

Ellen was a pioneer of Anacortes and lifelong resident, born in Anacortes December 5, 1918. She was the only daughter of Gus and Ester Lundberg. Her father was a commercial fisherman captaining the purse seiner, The Liberty, on annual trips to Alaska and caulking boats during the off season. Other than the few years that she spent in San Diego, CA. with her first husband during WWII, she found Island living suited her best. Ellen really enjoyed people, children and pets. I believe this lead her to a career in retail.

Over the years she worked for several local businesses including Burton Jewelers and the Rexall Drug store on the lower end of commercial until its owners retired. After that Citizens Pharmacy (and Cathy Slater) became her home and family until she ended her career at the age of 72. Retirement kindled a new passion…. Bridge! Her group played for high stakes and often times she would boast that she had won 50 cents! Her favorite pastime was watching the Western Channel on TV and knitting dish clothes or scarf’s for everyone and gardening. Even in the final days with us, she was knitting a scarf or dish cloth for someone. Shopping was a close second to Bridge. It didn’t matter if it was clothes or grocery shopping, just ask her if she wanted to go and she was ready… boundless energy throughout her life. 
Where I saw too much grass to mow and too many weeds to pull, Ellen saw glory in the flowers that bloomed in early spring and lingered throughout the summer. There was always one more spot to put some color in her garden or something new to put on her lawn to make it greener and that is where she would spend endless hours, she loved her yard.

Although she remained unmarried for nearly 59 years, she proved that she could raise two children and put her son Roy through College at WSU. Always strong and independent, she would issue orders to the work party….fix this…paint that… it doesn’t go there… and then build the best lunch or dinner anyone could imagine. Good because it was loaded with love and calories too. A real modern day women and classy too. She loved jewelry and loaded her arms with bracelets and her fingers with big frog and turtle rings… Texas blink she called it. We said its Bling… yah she would say….. Blink and we did.

Ellen had some of the best next door neighbors you could ask for. Cynny Lowman and Gary Ross kept a close eye on her. Believing that sleep was not a priority for them, as it is with many of us, she wouldn’t hesitate waking them in the middle of the night to take her to the emergency room. Bless your heart for neighbor’s like Cynny and Gary.

Ellen rested comfortably during her final days at the Whatcom Hospice House in Bellingham. The people there made her very comfortable and supported her religious preference; the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Anacortes, with prayer. She passed away in her sleep with Brooke and Kristie by her side and the lord took her into his arms.

Ellen is proceeded in death by her daughter Zoe Ellen Flannigan. She is survived by her son Roy (Kristie) Fowles of Bellingham and her granddaughter Brooke (Corey ) Nibarger and Great Granddaughter 
Zoey (2 years old) who she was affectionately known as GG and Alex Nibarger of Anacortes. Ellen’s extended family that meant the world to her included Brooke’s dad and mom Bill and Julie Vaux, Grandchildren Bobby (Kristen Murphy) Vaux , Great Grandkids Sally and Reese   Melissa (Justin) McPherren, Great Grandkids Lola and Abbey. The Barber Family, David (Linda), Ann Thistle, Kent (Jina) and Barber grandkids, Jerid, Jeffrey, Nikki, Andi & Jasen.

A celebration of life will be held for Ellen at the Skyline Cabana in Anacortes on Sunday, January 13, 2013 from 1 PM to 3 PM.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Whatcom Hospice House.