Mildred ‘Millie’ Mabele Stratton 1924 ~ 2012

On April 18, 2012 we lost our wonderful mom, sister, aunt and grandmother.

Mildred “Millie” Mabele Stratton, 88, of Anacortes, WA, was born on March 28, 1924 in Burlington, WA, to Walter and Nellie (Watkinson) Hansen. After graduating from Burlington High School and marrying Paul Stratton, her high school sweetheart, mom lived briefly on the east coast during Paul’s stint in the Navy Submarine Service.

Eventually Anacortes was chosen as the ideal setting to raise their family, where mom continued to reside in the family home for the next 60+ years until the last two months of her life. Mom and dad celebrated 50 fabulous years of marriage and memories before Paul’s death in 1993. Many of mom’s most cherished memories were the 30+ years of summers spent at our cabin on Lake Cavenaugh and going on snow skiing and hunting trips in the winter.

Earlier on while in their more rebellious prime, mom, dad and several of their closest friends, created many of the now walking paths on Sugarloaf Mountain with their dirt bikes. Later mom and dad also became quite accomplished musicians and were members of the Washington Bluegrass Association and Old Time Fiddlers. During their travels, which usually included playing music, they visited Hawaii several times and all but two states throughout the U.S.

After losing dad, mom continued to sing and play her guitar while traveling to Florida, Arizona and California with her dear friends and snowbird buddies. She also enjoyed going on cruises to Alaska, the Panama Canal and the Caribbean.

We will always feel her strength and share her absolute love of family. Thank you mom . . . see you later alligator.

Millie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Paul, her son Randy, her daughter Shelley, two brothers, Floyd & Lawrence and two sisters, Vernice & Margery.

Millie is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Suzanne (Suzy) & Dennis Baertschi; her brother and sister-in-law, Ronald & Angie Hansen; 3 grandsons and their wives, Todd & Ann Figenshow, Aaron & Morag Stratton, and Nolan & Bonnie Stratton; 3 great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Bev Stratton; 3 step-grandchildren; special niece and her husband, Debbie & Gordie Lindell; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

At Millie’s request no formal services or gathering will be held. Memorial donations to the American Cancer Society would be gratefully accepted.

The family wishes to express their appreciation for the kindness and gentle care of mom during her stay at San Juan Rehab and Care Center.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Millie, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.