Obituary

Ellen Charlotte Askew, 86, passed away peacefully on August 6th at Hospice House in Bellingham encircled by the love of her family and caregivers.

Known to her friends simply as Char,” she was a proud first-generation American, born October 4, 1925 in San Pedro, CA. Her parents, Captain Theodore and Lynda Peters emigrated to the U.S. from Australia in 1920.

Ellen Charlotte Peters grew up in Southern California and had a happy and sunny childhood. She adored her father and brother and always called her mother her best friend.” Char had a large circle of friends as a young woman and maintained lifelong connections with many of them. Among her favorite memories were carefree days on Cabrillo Beach, dancing to Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey at the Rendezvous Ballroom in Balboa, and family vacations in Morrow Bay, CA. 1n 1950 she made the bumpy 2 day journey across the Pacific on a Pan American Stratocruiser to meet her dozens of Australian relatives. She treasured the memories of her time there.

After working in banking for several years she met and married Allen Askew in 1955 and started a family. The Askews moved to Bellingham in 1970 when the Arco Cherry Point refinery opened. Char made many new friends in Bellingham and quickly learned to enjoy life in the Pacific Northwest. She had many hobbies but enjoyed conversation most of all. She traveled widely with Allen and her favorite place was Paris.

Even with serious health challenges in recent years, Char maintained her defiant inner strength and enormous sense of fun. She was a no-nonsense kind of woman with strong opinions and a fighting spirit. Char was the storyteller of the family and her astonishing memory allowed everyone the pleasure of her remarkable reminiscences of family, friends, and the places she had been.

Char also enjoyed old movies. To celebrate her life, there will be a public gathering at the Pickford Film Center on Tuesday August 14th at 11AM. Share you memories of Char and see one of her favorite old films. You can also visit www.farewelltributes.com to see pictures and sign a guest book.

Her cherished husband Allen F. Askew passed away in 2001. She is survived by daughter Lana Askew of Milwaukee, WI, son Ted Askew of Bellingham, brother Ted Peters and family of Colorado and California, niece Diane DeCoster and family of Colorado, cousin George Reid and family of Sydney, Australia, 3 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild.

The Askew family would like to thank caregivers Tamara Whitcomb and Nicole Vignec for their love and kindness to Char over the past few years. In lieu in flowers please consider donating or volunteering time to Whatcom Hospice.

Farewell Tribute Information

Celebration of Life:
Tuesday, August 14th, 11:00 a.m.
Pickford Film Center