Kathleen Dorothy (Crabtree) Zuidmeer, 93, died Feb. 19, 2017 at Lynden Manor. Kathleen (usually known as Kay) was born in Bellingham on Oct. 20, 1923.
She was the second child and only daughter of Walter and Dorothy (Herre) Crabtree. The family moved to Pacific County when Kay was very young and she grew up there, graduating from South Bend High School in 1941. She then attended Washington State College (now Washington State University) where she joined Kappa Delta Sorority. After her graduation in 1945 she got a job at the Longview Daily News working as a staff reporter and social editor. In 1947 her childhood friend Bunny said, “You have got to meet my brother-in-law!” and the rest, as they say, is history. Kay married Everett Zuidmeer on May 15, 1948 in Raymond, Washington.
They moved to Peoria, Illinois, where Everett went to Bradley University and Kay got a job as a secretary at the Caterpillar Tractor Company. After his graduation they moved back to Bellingham, where both of their children were born. In 1957 they bought the Edson house on Fifth Street and moved to Lynden. Kay was a stay-at-home mom until 1959 when she trained to become a social worker. She worked for the DSHS as a caseworker until 1966, driving into Bellingham every day in her Thunderbird. In 1966 she and Everett bought the business where he worked and together they ran Zuidmeer’s Jewelry until their retirement in 1986.
Kay was a social creature. She loved her friends, and her family was the most important thing in her life. Always immaculately turned out (she loved clothes), she belonged to PEO, was a docent at the Whatcom County Museum and belonged to at least two bridge clubs. She went to New York and Los Angeles on trips with other docents and enjoyed her travels very much. She and Everett traveled extensively, visiting all 50 states, most of the Canadian provinces, Western Europe and the South Pacific. She particularly enjoyed visiting Hawaii, where her friend Lois from her days as a young working woman lived. She was a dedicated reader throughout her life and loved the theater and the arts.
Kay suffered a stroke when she was in her late 70s and it limited her activities to a certain extent. She and Everett stopped traveling and spent their time close to home. In their retirement she and Everett spent a good deal of time with their beloved granddaughter Terra, who held a special place in their hearts. By the time they moved to Lynden Manor when they were in their 90s, Kay was content to spend her days with her books, Everett and visits with her children and granddaughter. Nothing lit up her face more than seeing one of her “people” walk through the door.
Kay was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, one nephew and her husband of 68 years, Everett.
She is survived by her son, John Zuidmeer of Birch Bay; daughter Patricia Zuidmeer (Bruce Larson) of Custer; granddaughter Terra Zuidmeer of Birch Bay; brother- and sister-in-law Peter and Bernita Zuidmeer of Everson; cousin Albert Herre Jr. of Desert Hot Springs, California; and several nieces and nephews and their children. The family thanks the staff of Lynden Manor for their kind, competent and compassionate care of Kay.
A private graveside service will be held, followed by an open house gala at the Lynden Community Center from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, honoring both Kay and Everett. Donations may be made in Kay’s name to the Lynden Community Center.
You are invited to sign the online guest book at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
