Doris Irene Wasilewski

Doris Irene Wasilewski, age 93, passed peacefully from this life surrounded by her family and the love and prayers of family and friends on Sunday, November 10, 2024 in Bellingham. She was born on June 14, 1931 in Port Angeles, Washington, the second child of Paul and Emily Coleman. Her father was a rancher at that time. It was the depression, and over the next few months her father paid the hospital bill with meat and produce from their large garden. Doris' first ten years were spent on the ranch up in the Olympic Mountains where she enjoyed great freedom, a love of nature and space. The ranch was sold in 1942 and in January of 1943 she and her mother moved to Anchorage, Alaska to join her father. In addition, much time was spent with her maternal grandparents in Prosser, Washington where she developed an appreciation of art and music from her grandmother.

The family moved to Anacortes in 1945 where Doris graduated from high school in 1949. After completing business school, she worked for Seattle First National Bank in Mt. Vernon. Later she worked for the Navy Exchange on NAS, Whidbey where her official title was 'Invoice Clerk’.

In April of 1953 she married George Wasilewski and spent the next 13 years moving around the country as a Navy wife, living in California, Florida, Hawaii, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington. During these years she gave birth to three children: John, Denise, and Craig. Her children and grandchildren were her greatest joy. She was a stay-at-home mom.

In 1966 George retired from the Navy and they settled in Oak Harbor. Doris had been active with school activities as her children were growing as well as Island County 4-H. She and George enjoyed dancing with the Whidbey Whirlers throughout the 60's and 70's. She enjoyed membership with the Oak Harbor Garden Club and was an active member of St. Augustine's Catholic Church. She was a committed Christian with a deep faith and love of God. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, George Wasilewski, her parents Paul & Emily, and her only sibling, Pauline Stamos and her two sons Phillip & Michael. Doris is survived by her son, John & wife Gail; her daughter Denise & husband Garth; son, Craig and wife Julie; seven grandchildren, Curtis, Nick & wife Maria, Sarah, Leah & husband Landon, Tyler & wife Abbi, Sydney and Alex; twelve great grandchildren: Max, Sam, Jack, Savannah, Grant, Reagan, Eva, Reese, Wyatt, Dakota, Eleanor and Erin.

A Vigil Service will be held on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 6:30 pm after the daily Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 5781 Hendrickson Avenue, Ferndale, Washington. A Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Internment will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2024 2:30 pm at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE Street, Kent, Washington.