Merydee Suzanne Carlson passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, August 27th, 2023, in Anacortes, Washington, at the age of 89.

Merydee was born on June 18th, 1934 in Everett, Washington.

After graduating from Everett High School in 1952, Merydee attended Western Washington University. She married John Carlson in 1954 and moved to Georgia, where John was stationed in the army. They returned to WWU and she completed a degree in teaching. Upon graduation, they moved to Stanwood where Merydee juggled teaching and childbirth. In 1963 they moved to Mount Vernon and lived in the same home for sixty-five years. Merydee taught remedial reading for thirty years, mostly at Lucille Umbarger school in Burlington.

An adventuresome soul, Merydee loved camping, boating, cross-country skiing, and traveling. She also enjoyed theatre, playing card and board games, jig saw puzzles, as well as being an avid reader.

Over the course of time Merydee belonged to the American Association of University Women, the Alpine Club, the Skagit Squares dance club, a bridge club which began during the Kennedy administration and lasted for several decades, and she was the Secretary for the Skagit County Democrats for several years.

Merydee was preceded in death by her parents, Eskil and Edith Ness, her brothers Robert Ness, Dan Ness, and Gordon Ness, and her sister Barbara Maclaurin. She was the last of her generation. She was also preceded in death by her beloved husband John Carlson after 63 years of marriage.

Merydee is survived by her four children: Deborah Haynes, Greg Carlson, Russell Carlson, and Keith Carlson, and by six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

The Memorial Service will be Friday, September 8th, at 1:30 pm at Hawthorne Funeral Home in Mount Vernon.