Celia G. Campbell's Obituary
Celia Grace CampbellFeb. 27, 1922 - Feb. 20, 2008The life of Celia G. Campbell, longtime Lakewood resident, will be celebrated at a memorial service at 11 a.m. March 29 in Aspen Chapel at Mountain View Funeral Home & Memorial Park in Lakewood. The Rev. Jerold Sutton will officiate.Celia, 85, died Feb. 20, surrounded by her children.She was born Feb. 27, 1922, in Everett to Chris and Rachel Runo.As a freshman at the University of Washington, she met John Douglas Campbell. They married in 1943, celebrating their golden wedding anniversary in 1993. Shortly afterward, Doug was diagnosed with cancer and Celia supplied the devoted care to fulfill his wish to spend his remaining months at home. He died in January 1994.The Campbell family moved from Seattle to Lakewood in 1959.Celia was a homemaker and mother of six children who expertly made most of her children's clothes - and a few treasured stuffed animals - when they were young, and canned quarts of fruit for the winter. She enjoyed gardening, early on probably because it afforded time to herself, apart from those same six children.She could be considered an early conservationist and definitely had an appreciation of nature. She managed a backyard wetland, kept track of migration dates in her bird book, recycled before it was fashionable or mandatory, picked up litter, conserved fuel and enjoyed walking and berry picking.She was a former member of Lincoln Lady Lions.After Doug retired from practicing architecture, they traveled all around the United States while Doug took photographs that appeared on postcards and calendars.Celia gave her children two important legacies:* The wry Runo humor of her father.* And by helping to fund higher education for her children - and for several of her grandchildren - ensured them a good start on their adult life.Celia is survived by three sons, Pat (Dorothy) Campbell of Vancouver, Tom Campbell of Lakewood and Chris (Gretchen) Campbell of Washougal; three daughters, Terry Campbell of Yakima, Sue (Tom) Donohue of University Place and Beth (Dale) Sutton of Edmonds; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a brother, Chris (Doretta) Runo of Mulkilteo; and numerous nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a brother, Sidney Runo, and a sister, Esther Hensen.
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