Zona Bee Aubel passed away peacefully at her home in Mount Vernon on September 11, 2008, at the age of 82. Zona was born on November 1, 1925, one of four children of Chester and Merna Malone, in Elma, Washington. She was valedictorian of her 8th grade class and later graduated from Bellingham High School. In Zona's younger years she enjoyed basketball, baseball and especially swimming. She had many fond memories of weekends at the ocean and nearby lakes. She married Frank Aubel Jr on July 15, 1945, and they made their home in Bellingham, WA. Frank and Zona had a log trucking business. Zona was the bookkeeper and Frank drove the log truck. Their next venture was the grocery store business. Zona and Frank owned and operated College Way Grocery in Mount Vernon for 10 years. Upon retirement, they did some traveling. Frank and Zona celebrated their 50th Wedding anniversary in 1995. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, and her pets. Holidays and birthdays were very special to her and were always celebrated at her house with family, friends, and lots of home cooking. Zona was a determined woman who enjoyed family time and being at home. She wanted to see her family succeed in life. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Renae and Bill McFadden, of Big Lake; daughter and son-in-law Stacy and Mike Souriall, of Mount Vernon; grandchildren, Desiree Dralle and Ryan Vollans, of Seattle; Steen McFadden, of Lewistown, Montana; Sienne Ackermann, and husband, Tim, of Big Lake, and their children, Stephyn, Carlin, Tarren and Rosie Ackermann; sister, Rita Schuler, of Ocean Shores; stepdaughter Dorene Levora, and her husband, Jim, of Kettle Falls, and their daughter, Keeta Paccerelli, and her husband Joe, of Colville. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank in 1996; Jo Booth, a sister, and Wendall Malone, a brother. A graveside committal service will be held on Tuesday, September 16, 2008, at 2 pm at Hawthorne Memorial Park, in Mount Vernon. A celebration of Zona's life will follow at Stacy and Mike's home, 919 N Waugh Rd. Mount Vernon, from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm. Arrangements are in the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Mount Vernon WA. Memorials may be made to Skagit Hospice, PO Box 1376, Mount Vernon WA 98274; or International Essential Tremor Foundation, PO Box 14005, Lenexa KS 66285-4005; or Humane Society of Skagit Valley, 18841 Kelleher Rd, Burlington WA 98233. Many thanks to all of her wonderful caregivers, Dr. North,and the Hospice team.