Isabelle Doupe Garretson passed away on Feb. 11, 2010, while living at Aegis Assisted Living in Kirkland. She was 90 years old.

The third of four children, she was born on Aug. 5, 1919 to Joseph and Margaret Doupe in Ilwaco, a small town in southwestern Washington.

She graduated from Ilwaco High School and entered the University of Washington, where she majored in history.

At the University of Washington, she met her future husband, Jack C. Garretson. After they both graduated, they moved to Chicago, Ill. where her husband earned his dental degree. Shortly thereafter the young couple returned to Washington, residing in Kirkland.

After the untimely death of Dr. Garretson at age 40, Isabelle obtained her master’s degree in library science at UW and was subsequently employed by the King County Library System.

She was a long-time member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Kirkland, where she served on the altar guild. Active in the Kirkland Altrusa Club, she was instrumental in the selection and placement of the public fountain in Kirkland Waterfront Park. Soon, Isabelle became the head librarian at the Kirkland Library.

When her children were active in competitive skiing at Lake Washington High School, Isabelle spearheaded the formation of the Lake Washington Ski Council, a group of parents and school administrators which formulated and implemented a program of weekend ski buses to Snoqualmie Pass, where high school students could learn how to ski.

After retiring from the King County Library System, Isabelle moved to Freeland, where she volunteered her services to the Freeland Library and the Whidbey General Hospital medical library. She was active in Friends of Freeland, a local environmental group, helping to protect the rural character and beauty in the greater Freeland area.

She loved to garden and was a member of the Night Crawlers Garden Club of Whidbey Island. An avid bridge player, she frequently traveled back to the Kirkland area to play bridge with her friends at the bridge club. Going to plays at the Seattle Rep Theatre with family and friends was another favorite pastime.

She loved living on Whidbey Island and was past president of the Windmill Heights Homeowners Association. She was an accomplished pianist, world traveler and gourmet cook.

Isabelle Garretson was preceded in death by her brothers, Charles and Marshall, and by her sister, Florice. She is survived by her children, Jan Garretson of Redmond, Randall Garretson of Whidbey Island and Leslie Garretson Okerman of Woodinville, as well as four grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at St. Augustine’s in-the-Woods Episcopal Church in Freeland. The family asks that any remembrances be made to the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, PO

Box 52, Langley, WA 98260.

Isabelle Garretson was a devoted mother, tireless worker and good friend. She will be missed by all who knew her.