Catherine "Cathy" Adelman

Catherine "Cathy" De Jong Adelman, 69, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 12, 2026, following a brief battle with dementia, and is now at peace in the presence of her Lord and Savior.

Cathy was born on October 26, 1956, in Oak Harbor, Washington, the first of her siblings to be born in the United States. Shortly after her birth, her family settled in Mount Vernon, where she was raised. She attended Mount Vernon Christian School through eighth grade before making the daily bus ride to Lynden Christian High School, where she graduated.

On November 23, 1980, Cathy married the love of her life, Bill Adelman. Together they built a life centered around family, faith, friendship, and serving others. They began their married life in Sedro-Woolley before moving to Mount Vernon's west side in 1988, where they made countless memories and became deeply rooted in the community they loved.

Food service was more than a career for Cathy. It was her way of bringing people together. Throughout the years she worked at Sambo's and Best Burgers before discovering her passion for catering, serving events throughout Skagit County. In December 1999, Cathy and Bill purchased a small restaurant in Pine Square in downtown Mount Vernon, The Lunch Box. Eight years later they purchased Bill's Diner across the square, and four years after that combined the two restaurants into one location as The Lunch Box @ Bill's Diner. Together they proudly served the community until retiring in September 2016.

To Cathy, customers were never just customers. They quickly became friends. She remembered names, stories, families, and birthdays. Many of those friendships continued long after she retired. Whether you came in for breakfast, lunch, or simply to say hello, you always left feeling like you belonged.

Cathy's smile could light up any room she entered. She had an incredible sense of humor, a quick wit, and a gift for making people laugh. She could make even an ordinary conversation memorable, and she had a way of making everyone around her feel comfortable, welcomed, and genuinely cared for. Her kindness was effortless, and her laughter was contagious.

Her love for her community extended far beyond the restaurant. Cathy participated in local theater productions, worked countless hours at the concession stand at Sherman Anderson Ball Fields, and served as secretary at Faith Community Fellowship, faithfully preparing the weekly church bulletin. In recognition of their dedication to Mount Vernon, Cathy and Bill were honored as Mount Vernon Citizens of the Year in 2010.

Although she loved serving her community, nothing brought Cathy greater joy than her family. She was a devoted wife, a loving mom, and a proud Oma who treasured every opportunity to spend time with those she loved.

One of Cathy's happiest traditions was traveling to Maui with Bill every year. It was their favorite place, where they made cherished memories together year after year.

Cathy is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, Bill Adelman; her children, Ben Adelman (Jen) and his children Benjamin, Lukas, and Jackson; Nicole Collins (John) and her children Alicia, Timothy James, and Josie; and Cody Adelman.

She is also survived by her siblings, Tennis de Jong and his wife, Caryl; Gerb de Jong and his partner, Karen; Alice and her husband, Randy; and Tami and her husband, Gerritt and many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and great nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her younger brother, Douglas de Jong.

Though dementia touched the final chapter of her life, it never defined who she was. Cathy will be remembered for her generous heart, infectious laugh, unwavering faith, and the countless friendships she built over a lifetime of serving others. She had a remarkable ability to make everyone feel like family, and her legacy lives on in every life she touched.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Cornwall Church, 830 N. 16th Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.

The celebration will be held open house style, allowing family and friends to come and go as they wish. In honor of Cathy's love for Maui and the many joyful memories she and Bill made there, guests are warmly invited to wear their favorite Hawaiian shirt.

Our hearts are broken, but we find comfort in knowing Cathy leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, friendship, and service that will continue through the many people whose lives she touched, and that she is now rejoicing in heaven and reunited with loved ones who went before her. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.