Deloise “Dee” Harbour passed away at her home in Oak Harbor on Sept. 25, 2017 at the age of 94. She was born in St. Paul, Minn. and grew up on a farm near St. Peter, Minn. After high school, Dee and her sister Audrey moved to California to find work and adventure. It was in Alameda where she met Rip Harbour, a young naval aviator whom she would marry and share the next 70 years of her life.

She was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Oak Harbor, where she particularly enjoyed arranging flowers for church services and teaching CCD. Before St. Augustine, Dee was active at other parishes that her Navy life took her to.

Dee loved the natural beauty around her and worked to protect it and share that love with others. She served 20 years on the Oak Harbor Park Board and served on the Island County Park Board as well. She was an early leader of the Oak Harbor Junior Garden Club and, at the time of her death, was the longest serving member of the Oak Harbor Garden Club. She owned a successful bridal consulting business, Harbour Bouquet, and also managed a retail floral business, Floral Gardens, for many years. She was an excellent artist and enjoyed painting with watercolors.

She and her husband Rip were accomplished boaters who enjoyed summer cruises with family and friends, to Alaska and Canada in their boat “Fiddler’s Green.” Dee was active in the planning and construction of the Oak Harbor Yacht Club.

She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Rip, daughter Kathy, son Rob, grandson Scott and grand daughter Kate. She is also survived by her sister Audrey Blaylock, and close family friend since childhood, Donna Biddinger. Dee valued being part of a large family with numerous nieces, nephews and godchildren.

Dee was preceded in death by her sisters Shirley Kennedy, Donna Nutter, Merle Dummer and her brother Jim Kennedy.

Memorials may be made to Doctors Without Borders, the Oak Harbor Garry Oak Society or the Oak Harbor Junior Garden Club.

A mass celebrating Dee’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 5 at St. Augustine Church, followed by a reception in the parish hall.