Winona Ruth Howard, 96, a lifelong Skagit County resident passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 from a stroke. She was living at Country Meadows Village in Sedro-Woolley, Washington at the time of her death.
She was born on September 4, 1927 at Rowley General Hospital in Mount Vernon, WA, the daughter of Jess F. and Maude E. Willard. Winona was raised in Mount Vernon and graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1946.
While working at her parent’s florist shop, Willard’s Greenhouse and Florist Shop on Pacific Hwy/Old Hwy 99 (later called Burlington Blvd) in Burlington, WA she met Stanley Howard who was working at his parents’ restaurant, Howard’s Café, about a quarter mile up the road on Old Hwy 99. They were married on July 16, 1948. They were married 67 years prior to his passing in 2016.
She began working at her parents’ florist shop after attending Mount Vernon Junior College (located at Union High School campus, Mount Vernon, now Skagit Valley College on College Way). Willard’s Greenhouse and Florist Shop was built by her aunt and uncle in 1927. Later, her parents purchased and operated the business; she and Stanley purchased the business in 1964. They lived in the residence on the greenhouse property where they operated the business and raised their two sons. They closed the business in 1979 and sold the property. She then worked for several years for Valborgs Gifts in Mount Vernon.
They stayed in Burlington, living on Peterson Road for 43 years. She moved to Country Meadows Village in January, 2023.
She was an active member of the First Baptist Church, Mount Vernon from 1948 until her passing.
Winona is survived by sons, Tom (Mary Jo), Roger (Kathy); grandchildren, AJ (Lisa) Howard, Sandy (Brad) Johnson and Bill (Kali) Howard; sister-in-law, Virginia Howard; eight great grandchildren; eight great-great grandchildren; loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sisters, Eileen Johnson, Nadine Gaiser; brothers-in-law, Elliott Johnson, Lowell Howard, Don Gaiser; niece, Mary Carlson; nephews, Elliott Johnson and Danny Howard.
The family would like to thank the staff at Country Meadows Village for their great care of Winona. They were exceedingly kind to her, making her feel at home. She loved living there.
A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 AM, on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at Greenhills Memorial Cemetery, Burlington, followed by a reception at the Skagit Golf & Country Club. Please share your memories of Winona and sign the online guest register.
