Leigh Olson
It is with a heavy heart that we announce Leigh Olson’s unexpected passing as a result of a massive brain hemorrhage and several debilitating strokes while on an early 37th anniversary vacation.
She leaves behind husband Steve Olson of Mount Vernon, WA; oldest daughter Tessa (James) Flowers of Davenport, WA; second daughter Sadie (David) of Dalles, OR; and third daughter Rachel Olson of Sedro-Woolley, WA; and a total of eight grandkids whom she dearly loved and adored, and one more on the way, whom she was eagerly waiting to meet.
Leigh is also survived by her mom, Gert Douma of Lynden; older sister, Jane (Dennis) Buys of Lynden; older brother, Scott Douma of Nooksack; and her special “go to swap meets” buddy, younger sister, Jill (Gary) VanBeek of Lynden.
Leigh was preceded in death by her dad, Dave “Gramps” Douma on May 12, 2019.
Growing up on the dairy farm north of Lynden, Leigh attended and graduated from Lynden Christian High School, class of ‘82.
Leigh also attended and grew up in Bethel Christian Reformed Church of Lynden, and at an early age, gave her life to Christ, endeavoring to live for him and serve him as she could.
Leigh and Steve were married May 3, 1985. Before that, she was a natural and gifted swimmer, having worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor at the Lynden YMCA, and then at Bellingham Athletic Club.
When kids came on the seen, she devoted herself to being a full time mom, and as the kids got older, Leigh devoted herself to homeschooling the girls.
Leigh always kept an immaculate house as well as enjoying and maintaining many flower beds throughout the years.
Leigh also had a knack for numbers and record keeping and now looking back, this has been a huge blessing to us all.
Also, Leigh was a very talented jam maker, making seemingly tons of it every year to give away during the holiday season. Many people will miss her jams.
Leigh and her family ended up at Sedro-Woolley Free Methodist Church, now known as North Cascades Christian Fellowship, sometime around 1996-1997.
Leigh always helped and served at the church as she could, eventually becoming a co-director, then director of the annual VBS program.
After doing that for some years, Leigh became involved with the youth Bible quizzing program, eventually leading and organizing that program for several years
Early in 2001, Leigh took a part-time position at the church as a bookkeeper, and ended up working at the church ever since, most recently as office administrator.
Even though it was a job, Leigh really cherished the fact that she could work at the church, being able to help wherever she could, and developed many close and special friends along the way.
In 2016, Leigh was diagnosed with breast cancer. Going through chemotherapy and then a double mastectomy was very hard on her. Leigh relied on the strength of the Lord and tackled it with as much dignity and grace as possible.
Just this last summer of 2021, the cancer was officially declared in remission.
Leigh has left a huge void in our lives, but we know she is in the arms of Jesus Christ now eagerly waiting to see us, and you.
There will be a memorial and celebration of life at North Cascades Christian Fellowship in Sedro-Woolley, Saturday, June 4 at 11 a.m. Lunch will be provided.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to NCCF.
