Phyllis G. Jaworski (Cruden) passed away March 31, 2007 after having major heart surgery. She is preceded in death by her husband of 28 years Lawrence F. Jaworski of Oak Harbor; her former husband of 26 years and the father of her children James P. Cruden of Seattle; her daughter Cindy M. Cruden of Alaska; two brothers and one sister.
Phyllis was born July 26, 1931 in Edmonds. Her family moved to North Seattle where she was raised. She worked at the Triple X drive-in restaurant. It was there that she met her first husband Jim, the brother of her longtime friend, Mary L. Cruden-Cook. Mary and Phyllis continued their friendship for many years along with their husbands Lloyd and Jim. Phyllis and Jim’s marriage ended and she remarried Lawrence “Ski.” They were married for 28 years and resided in Oak Harbor. Phyllis helped to raise his daughter, Barbara and his granddaughter Lisa, along with being stepmother to Ski’s twin daughters, Helen and Janet.
As well as being one of the finest housekeepers and flower gardeners in these 50 United States, she volunteered at Island Thrift Shop for many years, was a member of the VFW, and Fleet Reserve Auxiliary. Her hobbies were varied and included collecting antiques and secondhand items of interest, crocheting, oil painting, bowling, dancing, and traveling.
While married to Jim, they owned the Vancouver Tavern located in North Seattle. When Phyllis’ parents passed away they helped to raise her youngest brother and sister, Larry and Julie Weinrick along with their own three children.
Her children include Cindy M. Cruden (deceased, Oct. 27, 2005); Steven and Patricia Cruden-Brager of Smokey Point, and James Patrick Cruden, Jr., of Shoreline; her grandchildren Linda Ann Cruden of Alaska and Kenneth James Brager of Smokey Point; her step-grandchildren, Lisa and Steven Sexton; Emily and Mark Railsback and great-grandchildren.
Surviving relatives include her sisters Juele and her husband Jerry James and Glenda Bigley; Phyllis’ niece Kelly Carrion, her husband Eric Romish and their daughter Chelsea Carrion of Oak Harbor, along with various other nieces and nephews too numerous to name.
Other surviving relatives and friends include Lloyd and Mary Cruden-Cook and their children, Richard and Barbara Cook, William and Terri Cook, and Patrick and Jeanine Cook-Dyer; Betty Cruden and her children Kim Cruden, Kerry Brown and Michael Cruden.
A Graveside Service was held April 6 at Arlington Cemetery followed by a reception that afternoon in Oak Harbor at the Veterans of Foreign Wars facility located on Goldie Road.
