Barbara Ann Spane, a well known educator in the Skagit Valley, passed away Friday, May 14, 2004 at her home near Burlington with her family at her side at the age of 58 years. She was born September 21, 1945 in Vancouver, WA the daughter of Elmer and Esther Conant Miller. Barbara grew up in West Seattle and graduated from Chief Sealth High School in 1963. She then attended and graduated from Western Washington State College in Bellingham and began her teaching career. Barbara taught in Stanwood, The Burlington Little School, Evergreen Elementary and Clear Lake Elementary in the Sedro-Woolley School District. She was named the Sedro-Woolley Teacher of the Year and also was the recipient of the Golden Apple Award for the Distinguished Educator in the State of Washington in 1996. Barbara was an active member of the Allen Blanchard Methodist Church and was a volunteer for Skagit Literacy Council and a volunteer tutor at Little Mountain Elementary. She was married to Louie J. Spane on December 19, 1987 in La Conner and they recently renewed their vows in Hawaii in December of last year. Barbara enjoyed gardening, sailing, camping, fishing, bird watching, but most of all she enjoyed her Book Club, hiking with her friends, and spending time with her family. She is survived by her husband Louie Spane of Burlington. Her son Jason and his wife Kori Granger of Bow and a daughter Jamie Granger of Burlington. A sister Layne and her husband Edward Eckberg of Chelan and her aunt Ardis Measure of Burlington. Nieces Kari Henke of Seattle, Cheryl Zylstra of Chehalis, and Erika Eckberg of Seattle. A sister in law Rose and her husband Brian King of Warden, WA, a niece Melissa and her husband John Hinson of Issaquah, and a nephew Jeff and his wife Jessica King of Ellensburg.
A Memorial Service to Celebrate her Life will be held Saturday, May 22, 2004 at 1:00PM at the Christ the King Community Church 2111 Riverside Drive in Mount Vernon with Pastor Kevin Forquer of Salem Lutheran Church officiating. Private family interment services will be held at the Saxon Cemetery near Acme, WA. Memorials are suggested to United General Hospital Foundation 2000 Hospital Dr. Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284. You are invited to share your memories of Barbara by signing our online guestbook at www.lemleychapel.com
Arrangements and Services under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.