Annie Tennyson passed peacefully with her dog Shelby by her side on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. Annie was born in Bellingham on Oct. 15, 1938, she was 85 years old. Her parents were Dell O. Noble and Ellen P. Noble. She was raised in Bellingham and graduated from Bellingham High School, class of 1956 as well as Success Business College.
During her junior and senior years she was a bus girl at the Leopold Hotel Coffee shop. After school she worked for George A Wright real estate until she married Richard K. Tennyson on July 11, 1959 and moved to Lawndale, California. While there, she got a job as a composite typist for Northrop Corp. in the Norair division. Returning to Washington with her two sons, Robert and John, they bought a farm in Ferndale in 1965. One year later, Norman was born.
Annie learned to farm, garden and sew, can fruits and vegetables and cut and pile firewood. She enjoyed being a den mother in the Cub Scouts pack 26 for three years and was also active in 4-H and FFA with the sheep, shorthorn cattle shows at the Lynden fair. She also was known to win a ribbon or two with her flowers and canned goods and quilts.
Annie started playing accordion in her teenage years and still made time to play it into her 80s. When Dick and Annie put God in their life, life was complete. They joined Zion Lutheran Church in 1972. Annie was involved in Sunday School, Alter Guild, quilting, crafts and served as a council member for many years. She was always busy.
In 1990, after 30 years of marriage, Dick passed away of cancer. Annie stayed on the farm she loved and found work at Sears parts and service for 15 years. She retired in 2005.
She continued raising cattle and chickens with the help of her sons and appreciated their hard work on the farm so she could stay there for as long as she did.
Annie is survived by her sons Robert (Stacie) Tennyson, John (Kathy) Tennyson and Norman (Cyindi) Tennyson Granddaughter’s; Dani, Katie, Kaylee, Kari, Marley, Kate and Francesca, grandsons Johnny and Frank, and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, 7215 Valley View Road, Ferndale on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023. With a graveside following at Enterprise Cemetery, 7041 Vista Drive, Ferndale.
Please share your thoughts and memories at the Sigs Funeral and Creation Services website.
