Judith Vanderhoef

Judith M. Muir Vanderhoef, age 96, passed away in Bellingham on Sunday, March 25, 2012.

Judy was born April 21, 1915 in Oswego, Kansas, to Ruth Anderson Mitchell, a school teacher, and Lawrence Davis Mitchell, a veterinarian. Soon after her birth the family moved to the Mitchell plantation in Hope Hull, Alabama.

Her father died tragically when she was 7. Judy then moved West with her mother and sister Lois, to live with her grandfather in Ashland, Oregon. Her mother gave birth to her brother Larry, shortly after they arrived there.

When she was 10, the little family moved to Portland, Oregon. She completed her education at Franklin High School, attended St. Helen’s Hall Junior College on a scholarship, graduating in 1935. She began classes at the University of Oregon, but gave in to her more practical side after a semester, and returned to Portland and a job with the telephone company.

Her growing up years in Portland were happy ones. Oliver G. Anderson (Uncle Andy) and her mother provided a loving home for the three children in the Mt. Tabor neighborhood of Portland.

She married Thurman Ray Muir in 1936. His company transferred him in 1940 and they moved to Bellingham, where they settled into the community and stayed to raise their children. Thurm died in 1988. They had been married for 52 years.

She married Melvin Vanderhoef in 1992 and they spent 10 years together in their new home in Cordata, before he passed away.

Judy had a lovely soprano voice, and first began singing in the Mt. Tabor Presbyterian choir when she was in her teens. Her love of music and church choirs grew over time, and she sang in the First Congregational Church of Bellingham choir for 57 years.

Judy worked at the Whatcom County Court House as head of the Motor Vehicle License Department from 1947 to 1957 and later spent 15 years at Western Washington College as Coordinator of Student Teacher Placements retiring in 1980.

Judy was preceded in death by her brother, Lawrence D. Mitchell, of Portland, her sister, Lois Dixon, of Foster City, CA, her niece, Elizabeth Missel of Foster City, CA, and her son Richard (Rick) Muir of Edmonds.

Surviving are her daughter, Barbara Addicott, son-in-law Ray Addicott of Berkeley, CA, daughter-in-law Becky Muir of Edmonds, grandchildren Allison Addicott and Michael Addicott of Berkeley, Mitchell Muir of Seattle, niece Debbie Butler of Clayton, CA, step-grandchildren Megan Martin and Heather Strom, step-daughters Leslie V. Montag and Kendra V. Williams, 4 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

A memorial service celebrating Judy’s life will be held Thursday, May 3, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Congregational Church, 2401 Cornwall Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to First Congregational Church of Bellingham, or Whatcom Hospice Foundation, 2901 Squalicum Parkway , Bellingham, WA 98225.