Dora “Pansy” Early, a longtime Sedro-Woolley resident, passed away on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at the Life Care Center of Skagit Valley in Sedro-Woolley.
Pansy was born in Jackson, County, North Carolina, the daughter of Epp & Iola (DeHart) Walls. She was raised and attended school in Almond, North Carolina.
On July 17, 1946 she was united in marriage to George Early in Clayton, Georgia.
Pansy graduated from college with a degree in nursing and worked as a Registered Nurse.
In 1951, she and her family moved to Sedro-Woolley from Newport News, Virginia. She worked as a surgical nurse for many years at Memorial Hospital and United General Hospital. She also worked at Northern State Hospital, Fircrest School and at the Portal Rehab Center.
Pansy volunteered at the Helping Hands Food Bank for 10 years; was a member of the United General Hospital Guild, the Rebecca Lodge # 74 and was active at the Senior Center.
She enjoyed gardening, canning, ceramics, crocheting, knitting, and growing African violets.
No one ever knew how much she loved nursing.
Pansy is survived by her four grandchildren, George Early and James Early of Seattle, WA, Buffy Jo Burbridge (Adam) of Kansas City, MO and Bobby Jo Simbulan (Travis) of Florence, CA and four great-grandchildren. Two brothers, Troy Walls of Bryson City, NC and Earl Walls of Kansas City, MO. Three sisters, Ruby Haney, Maxine Wright and Joyce Wiggins all of Bryson City, MO, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband George in 1975; two sons, Epp “Buddy” Early and Windel Early; her daughter, Wanda Lee Early; two brothers, Bob & Jack Walls and a sister, Sue Brooks.
Memorials are suggested to United General Hospital.
Graveside Services for Pansy will be held on Monday, June 14, 2010 at 11:00A.M. at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery with Pastor Jim Cannon officiating. Services are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
I have fond memories of chatting with Mamaw Pansie about her garden, how well or poorly it was doing each year and how much canning and freezing she had done. She would often tell me how she would fill her freezer and share the rest with her neighbors. I really enjoyed sharing recipes and the chocolate peanut butter and mint balls she gave at Christmas, which I still hope to someday make along with the sourdough recipe my Dad gave me the year before he passed. I’m saddened to have had to hear of her passing like this and would have liked to have been there for her funeral. I really hope she was buried next to my Dad because I know that was her wish.
We have only known Pansy sense 1997, but we feel like we’ve known her for a very long time. She was an easy person to talk to. She was avery good listener, and gave good advise. We injoyed her company very much.
Loved her like she was our own.
I worked with Pansy so many years ago and found her to be a good listener and understanding of concerns that people had–she always had comforting
advice to give–I loved meeting her around town for even a few minute
chat—I have wonderful memories of her–