Obituary of Anne Mae Parkhurst Ozmun

Anne Mae Parkhurst Ozmun, 88, passed away January 20, 2023, in Olympia, Wash. She was born to Paul and Elsie Parkhurst in Everett, Wash. on Oct. 4, 1934. While growing up, Anne loved Whidbey Island, where she spent many summers enjoying the company of her grandparents, clam digging, and walking the beautiful beach.

 

Anne graduated from Everett High School in 1951. After choosing a life of service, she graduated from Providence School of Nursing in 1954. Yearning to marry the love of her life, she eloped for a secret marriage to Lee Ozmun on Oct. 31, 1953. A formal wedding occurred the following year on Sept. 4, 1954.

 

Anne and Lee shared a long and happy marriage of 69 years. She is the mother of three children, Karen residing in Seattle, Wash., Michael in Riverside, Calif., and Cherie Ozmun Gabbert in Grants Pass, Ore. Anne was grandmother to five, including Kirsten, Brittney, Matthew, Jesse, and Jonah, and great-grandmother of five, Madison, Tyler, Dani, Oliver, and Lev.

 

Anne’s career as a nurse began at Providence Hospital in Everett, and continued at Providence Hospital in Bellingham, Wash., when Lee transferred to Western Washington University to complete his degree in education.  After his graduation, they moved to Puyallup, Wash., in 1959. In Puyallup, she worked for private doctors, Good Samaritan Hospital, and ultimately was hired by the Puyallup School District as a school nurse, where she remained until retirement. Anne served in many schools, and as District Director of School Nurses. Always eager to learn, she returned to school at Pacific Lutheran University and graduated with her bachelor’s degree in 1974. A committed advocate for women and children’s health issues, she fought for the first admission of a student with HIV, and students with disabilities into standard classrooms. In recognition of her work, Anne was nominated for Washington State Nurse of the Year in 1990.

 

Anne was active in several community service clubs, serving as President of Altrusa, and an active member of Rotary Anns, School Nurse Organization of Washington, and The Daughters of the American Revolution.

 

After Anne’s retirement in 1995, she enjoyed RV adventures, and snow birding to Mesa, Ariz. Her love of the beach inspired a move to Ocean Shores, Wash., where she was a volunteer school nurse and an active bird watcher. With the ebb and flow of life, Anne and Lee moved to Olympia in 2000, and then to Lacey, Wash., in 2012.  Here she became a prolific writer and enjoyed participating in the Writer’s Group at the Lacey Senior Center. Her life was filled with love, service to the community and individuals, and many adventures.

 

A memorial service and reception will be held April 15, 2023, at 2 p.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 2109 College St. SE, Lacey, WA 98503.  All are invited to share in this remembrance and celebration of Anne’s life.

 

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