Anna D. ‘Annie’ Hesselgrave

Anna D. ‘Annie’ Hesselgrave

Anna D. Hesselgrave of Coupeville died peacefully at Island Hospital, Anacortes on Oct. 1, 2014, at the age of 88, following a long, six-year battle with dementia.

“Annie,” as everyone knew her, was born in Port Townsend, Wash., Nov. 28, 1922, to Bertha and James Chapman. Her father tended the Fort Worden lighthouse. Her father died when she was 3, and the family moved to Whidbey.

Annie, her sister Frances and brother “Billy” grew up in Coupeville in the Keystone, Crocket Lake area. She milked cows for “Old Lady Lawrence,” their neighbor, at the age of 10. She was an ardent student and enjoyed school. She worked for Jules Café at age 15 and made pies, including “Annie’s Apple Pie,” for which she was well-known.

Annie married George W. Hesselgrave, or “G.W.,” June 26, 1947, and the young family moved to Sumas to make their first home. In 1948, Coupeville became their permanent home. Annie became active in the community and was a very supportive member of the “Civic Club,” which managed the Coupeville Rec Hall and activities for the community.

She was a Girl Scout leader and proudly served 22 years on the Coupeville School Board. She worked tirelessly to better the Coupeville schools. She was also a huge supporter of the Town of Coupeville and always encouraged everyone to shop locally. She was a great homemaker but also found the time to serve as assistant clerk for the Town of Coupeville for 18 years.

She was a member of Whidbey Allied Artist and painted oils and watercolors. In later years, she did toll painting wooden pieces for the waterfront and museum fundraisers.

This lady was always busy, and Oak Harbor Emblem Club #450 was her latest niche. Dedicated to making soup and pies for Monday night Bingo, Annie and George enjoyed the Elks Club tremendously and all the friends in both Emblem and the Elks.

Annie is survived by daughter, Dorothy Engom (Anacortes), sons, Wayne Hesselgrave (Anacortes) and wife Colleen and Mark Hesselgrave (Coupeville) and wife Dawn; grandchildren, Andy Engom, Rory Engom, Heather Bruce, Trevor Bruce, Marie Hesselgrave, Jessie Hesselgrave and Wiley Hesselgrave; step-grandchildren, Zephor Loesch and Mia and Kalia Littlejohn; five great-grandchildren; and her sister, Frances Howell, of Silvana. She was preceded in death by her parents; George (2008); daughter, Mary Jo Bruce (2013); and brother, James “Chappy” Chapman, also known as “Billy.”

A celebration of life for Annie will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, at Wallin Funeral Home with Gary Wallin as life celebrant and the Oak Harbor Emblem Club #450 also officiating. Burial will follow at Sunnyside Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Coupeville School District, 501 S. Main Street, Coupeville, WA 98239.

Rest in peace, Mom.

Please visit Annie’s page in the Book of Memories at www.wallinfuneralhome.com Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home and Cremation.