Cree Laura Baxter
September 08, 1938 - March 28, 2017
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Cree Laura Baxter
September 08, 1938 - March 28, 2017
Obituary
Cree Laura Baxter of LaConner, WA passed away peacefully with her family surrounding her on March 28, 2017 at Whatcom Hospice House in Bellingham, WA. Cree Lombard was born September 8, 1938 in Los Angeles, California, the first born to Creede and Vivian Lombard. She was preceded in death by her husband and skipper, Joseph D. Baxter.
Cree’s family made their home in various communities throughout her childhood, including Yakima, WA and Bainbridge Island, WA. She graduated from Bainbridge Island High School in 1956.
Cree was forever asked how she got her name. Answer: she was named after her father. Her parents were expecting a boy as their firstborn. When a daughter arrived they shortened her father’s name, Creede, to Cree.
She is survived by her brothers, Jim Lombard of Lopez Island, WA; Pat Lombard of Poulsbo, WA; ex-husband Allen Jensen of Port Angeles, WA; sons Gregory Jensen of Bellingham, WA and Kris Jensen of Ward Cove, AK; daughter Heidi Smart of Mosier, OR; stepson Steven Baxter of Port Angeles, WA; stepdaughters Karen Iozzia of Windsor, CA and Amber Barni of Maple Valley, WA; seven grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren.
Early in their marriage, Cree and Joe developed a passion for boating. Buying a sailboat and joining the Port Angeles Yacht Club, they began a lifelong adventure, cruising, racing and exploring. In retirement, Cree and Joe sold their home in Port Angeles and moved aboard their 44-foot ketch, Moosenose, spending their summers cruising the inland waters of Puget Sound, the San Juans, and the Canadian Inside passage; and their winters moored in LaConner Marina in LaConner, WA.
Cree was a passionate Seahawks and Mariners fan, proudly sporting her Kam Chancellor and Ken Griffey jerseys, respectively.
Cree’s wishes were to be cremated and her ashes distributed in the waters of the San Juan Islands, with a memorial gathering for family and friends at a future date. Memorials may be made in Cree’s honor to Whatcom County Hospice and to Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance.
Update: Together we will be celebrating Cree’s life at the Farmhouse Resturaunt at 13724 Laconner Whitney Rd, Mt Vernon, WA 98273, from 1 PM to 4 PM.
Memorial Service
- Date & Time: July 29, 2017 (12:00 AM)
- Venue: Farmhouse Restaurant
- Location: 13724 Laconner Whitney Rd Mt Vernon, WA 98273 - (Get Directions)
- Phone Number: (360) 46-6-4411
7 responses to Cree Laura Baxter
Christine Power says:
March 28, 2017
Cree was so welcoming to me when I dated and married her brother, Patrick. Although the marriage didn’t last our friendship still survives so I am lucky to have been in contact with Cree for many years. I spoke to her late last year and she was so brave and pragmatic about her illness. She was so lively, friendly and charming. I will miss her. She gave my Dad a knitted cardigan many years ago and he called it, “his Cree”. I’m so grateful to her for that and her support through the years.My sympathy to Jim, Patrick, Greg, Cynthia, Chris and Heidi.
Alex Prisadsky says:
March 28, 2017
Cree’s cousin, Lynn Whitman, asked me to convey his condolences. I want to add mine, too. I remember her from my childhood as part of a warm and generous family. I’m glad I got to be in touch with her in her later years. I’ll miss her Facebook posts.