Vernon Greenstreet grew up in Cashmere, Washington, the second child of Russell and Beulah Greenstreet. He worked on the family orchard, excelled in his studies and in piano, and played on the Cashmere high school football team.

He played organ for the Cashmere Methodist church from age 12. He studied music education and graduated from the University of Washington. During those years, he met Shirley Simon at Wesley Club. They married in 1955. They lived and raised their three children in Oak Harbor where Vernon taught music at Oak Harbor High School and was organist and choir director at the Methodist and Episcopal churches. They moved to Bellingham in 1996 where Vernon was organist and choir director at St. Paul’s Episcopal church. Vernon and Shirley were active members of St. Paul’s and of the Bellingham music community. They enjoyed traveling and playing organ-recorder duets together.

Shirley passed away in 2014. Three years later, Vernon joined the retirement community at the Willows where he led the choir, organized concerts, and enjoyed time with a multitude of friends. Vernon passed away on August 11, 2022.

Vernon is survived by his three children, Karlin, Mark and John; their spouses; six grandchildren, Laura, Christopher, Brianna, Jennifer, Alexis, and Joseph; his sister Carmen Hagman and her children.

A musical celebration of Vernon’s life will be held Saturday, April 22nd, 2023 at 5 pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Bellingham.