Doris Campbell passed away peacefully on June 10, 2013 at age 94 in Sedro- Woolley, WA. She was born in Lyman, Washington on August 3, 1918, the daughter of Henry and Virginia Mullen. One of six children, she graduated from Hamilton High School in 1936. After attaining a teaching certificate from Bellingham Normal School, she began her career as an educator, starting in Baker Heights, then Hamilton for 2 years. Doris met her future husband, Robert Campbell, at a dance shortly after WWII began. After Bob went overseas Doris and two good friends joined the WAVES. She graduated from basic training at Hunter College in New York and became an instrument flight trainer for Navy pilots. During the war Bob proposed to Doris by sending the engagement ring through the USPS – the local postmaster read the proposal! At the end of the War, Doris and Bob returned to Washington State and both received their education degrees from Western Washington College of Education in 1950. Doris loved her job as an elementary teacher in the Sedro-Woolley School District where she taught for 25 years. Many students (and even their children) have talked to her about the impact her teaching had in their lives.
Doris enjoyed music and played both the accordion and piano. She also loved reading, quilting, sewing and traveling around the world with good friends.
Doris was preceded in death by her husband Robert in 1993. She is survived by her 4 daughters and their families, Jean and Mike Miller of Bow, Joan and Ray Van Zon of Sedro-Woolley, Beth and Jerry Wallace of Bellingham and Bobbette and Ron Halterman of Sedro-Woolley; 7 grandchildren, Rob and Kim Miller, Kristen and Dave Stubben, Jeff and Angie Miller, Mark Wallace, Megan and Shalon Hurlbert, Travis and Christine Halterman and Tessa Halterman and fiancé Travis Langley, and 7 great-grandchildren, Hannah, Grace, Alek, Ethan, Aiden, Kade and Kaycee. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Roger, Robert, Jack and twin brother Dennis Mullen and her sister, Francis Swapp.
The family wants to thank all of the friends and family that have touched our lives through Mom and Dad in so many ways, special thanks to Jacque Orth Thompson and Terry Kipling and their families for their love and support.
We would like to especially thank Terry Lienhard, her husband Fred and son Freddy for their relationship with our Mom. Terry, as mom’s caregiver, became a source of comfort and love to us all.
Private family services will be held at a later date. They request that memorials in honor of Doris be made to the Sedro-Woolley Alumni Association, PO Box 509, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284.
Mrs. Campbell was my first grade teacher at Lyman School. I remember the twinkle in her eye and warm smile. I have often wondered about her. I moved away from the area in 1970. I became a teacher and I am starting my 34 th year in North Carolina. My favorite memory of Mrs. Campbell was her playing the piano for us and I won the Purple Cow Drawing Contest.
I noticed Chuck McConnell wrote just above me…….. you signed my autograph book! I have thought of you too!
Prayers to all and I thank you both for your inspiration in my life.
Judy Bell
Otto, North Carolina judy.bell@macon.k12.nc.us
My sympathy to you on your loss.
What a blessing to see that Mrs. Campbell had such a long productive life. She was my first grade teacher whom I admired and adored. I moved away 41 years ago when I was 13 years old and I often wondered if she was still living, I remember it being sad that she left Lyman and went to teach at Samish but we would still see her at sporting events. I have a very fond memory of how she eased my anxiety when I thought I knew it all and some of the other children in the class told me that there was not a Santa, I marched right up to her, (cause I knew she would have the answer for everything) and I said Mrs. Campbell there is a Santa isn’t there and they are saying it is not true, she looked at me and said well he fills my stocking every year, that was enough for me. She was a precious lady and I know that she will be dearly missed by her family and friends. I will keep all of the family in my prayers at this difficult time.
I remember your mother and your family, fondly.
~Cherie
Mrs. Campbell was my 1st grade teacher at Samish School. She was such a wonderful lady and extremely inspiring teacher!
Of course, I don’t have to tell her family that!! May you all hold on to the great memories to get you through this difficult time and when you miss her the most.
Blessings and prayers,
Kim Olander Mayer and family
I loved Mrs Campbell,She was the most wonderful lady.I had her as a teacher in Samish grade school. She inspired me later in life to.She had such a wonderful way of making you believe that you were a very special person,Mrs Campbell was very unique person. She was a true teacher,When I work at Haggen she would come with her daughter and stop and talk for a while. She as touched my life in many ways.She will be missed Love you Mrs Campbell we will meet again. Prayers for the family and friends . Darlene Lowrance
I think of your Mom and I see her smile. So many really wonderful memories associated with her and all of you. We send you our prayers and thoughts.
Gary & Terry
A great lady and a great teacher. It was an honor to serve as her principal at Lyman.
Chuck McConnell