Cree Laura Baxter

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.

Cree Laura Baxter

September 8, 1938 - March 28, 2017