Jewell Loreta (Johnston) Harper, 87, of Marysville passed away July 21, 2005 at Providence Hospital, Colby Branch, Everett. She was born May 6, 1918 in Portales, N.M., to William and Ella Johnston.

She spent her childhood in Post, Texas. On Dec. 6, 1937 she married Jack Harper in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he was stationed with the Navy. As a Navy wife she traveled from Hawaii to Rhode Island to Florida to Virginia to California and to Washington. From 1952 to 1956, the family lived in Coupeville.

Upon Jack’s retirement from the Navy they moved their family to Eltopia, Wash., in 1956. Jewel was an active member of the United Church of Christ in Eltopia. They retired from farming in 1975 and enjoyed RV’ing across the U.S., visiting family and friends. Jewel claimed that they RV’ed through every one of the continental states. In fact, Alaska was the only state that she hadn’t visited. Her final home was in Marysville where she moved in the fall of 2000.

Sewing, knitting and quilting were a few of her pastimes. She loved her family, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Jack; sisters Verna and Wilma; brother Thurman; and young son, Charles.

She is survived by her daughters, Dolores and husband Dave Engle of Coupeville, and Pamela Blevins of Marysville; son Curtis and wife Charlotte Harper of Burbank, Wash.; 11 grandchildren, Sylvia Arnold of Coupeville, Shannon Arnold, Orange, Calif., Stephanie Penrod, Bothell, Sarah Viers, Bothell, Maureen VanBreman, Belle Vernon, Pa., Michelle Cavanaugh, Allentown, Pa., Erick Harper, Pasco, Tanya Franz, Pasco, Kelly Westlund, Richland, Barbara Blevins, Marysville, and Aaron Blevins, Richland; and 17 great grandchildren.

Cremation was held with private family inurnment to follow on July 27 in Eltopia. A Celebration of Life will be held July 27 at 2 p.m. at the Pasco First Christian Church, Pasco, with Associate Pastor Jim Sinclair officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the United Church of Christ, Eltopia, Wash.