Charlene M. Bartlow, 78, a Mount Vernon resident, passed away on Feb. 29, 2008. She was born in Wichita, Kan., Dec. 26, 1929, the daughter of Barney and Mabel Larcade McCartney. She started her schooling there and in 1941 came to Washington, settling in Seattle. She graduated from Roosevelt High School there in 1948.

She was united in marriage to Wayne K. Bartlow in Seattle on Sept. 19, 1949. The family moved to Coupeville in 1972 where Mrs. Bartlow was instrumental in bringing the Children’s Fire Safety House to the Northwest in Oak Harbor. In 1990 following her husband’s death she came to Mount Vernon where she had resided since.

She has been one of Jehovah’s Witnesses since 1954.

She is survived by four daughters, Linda Bartlow, Stephanie Tate and Erin Gonzales, all of Mount Vernon, and Julene Martone of Oak Harbor; and five grandchildren.

Mrs. Bartlow will lie in state for viewing at the Kern Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, March 5, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Cremation will follow with inurnment beside her husband in the Sunnyside Cemetery at Coupeville.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, March 7, at 6 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses at 3610 Terra Lane, Mount Vernon. Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home of Mount Vernon.