Obituary of Jean Rebecca Sunderland

Jean R. Sunderland ~ 91 Vancouver, Washington May 10, 1925 ~ January 20, 2017 Jean Rebecca Sunderland (Dahl) passed away January, 20, 2017 in Vancouver, Washington. Born May 10, 1925 in Chehalis, WA to Arthur and Thelma Dahl she was the eldest of three daughters. She graduated from Washington State University (WSU) with a degree in Home Economics and worked as a home economics agent in Whitman County with the WSU Cooperative Extension Service. While attending WSU, Jean met Arthur (Art) Sunderland of Cheney, WA. They were married on June 5, 1945. This was a partnership that lasted over seventy one years. After graduation from college, Art and Jean continued living in Pullman, WA where son Paul was born in 1951. In 1954 the family moved to Dayton and daughter Pamela was born. Dayton was home for sixty two years. Jean was active in AAUW (lifetime status), Benevolentia, and the Dayton United Methodist Church. She was a constant support to her husband and children and was a home maker extraordinaire. For many years, Jean served as a judge for 4-H home economics activities in Columbia and Walla Walla counties and a substitute teacher for jr. high and high school classes in Dayton. Jean and Art became involved in the organization Friendship Force, traveling to many countries where they had opportunities to stay in families’ homes and in turn, opened their home to visitors from abroad. Some of Jean’s favorite memories were of these trips and the people they met. Jean enjoyed the outdoors and especially enjoyed skiing at Bluewood and swimming and soaking up the sun at the cabin on Lake Couer d’alene . Swimming was a lifelong joy and she was part of the Fish Fans, a synchronized swim team, while in college. She also loved going on drives through the country side and had an eye for spotting deer and other wildlife. She was a great appreciator of nature’s beauty. Jean lived the last seven years of her life with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease. With the support of family and many friends, she was able to live at home for most of those years. She and Art moved to assisted living in Walla Walla, WA in the spring of 2016, followed by a move to Vancouver, WA in November of 2016 to be closer to family. Jean is survived by husband Arthur M. Sunderland, son Paul Sunderland (Dottie Koontz), Ridgefield, WA; daughter Pam Catlin (Tom), Prescott, AZ; Grandson Jon Sunderland (Carmen), Sicily; Granddaughter Jenny Sunderland, Portland, OR; sister Marie Bierward of Centralia, WA; Great Grandsons Zachary and Ian Sunderland and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Carol Mack. Information on a memorial service will be shared at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Dayton United Methodist Church , the Columbia County 4-H Leaders’ Council or the charity of your choice. To share thoughts with the family on line please go to info@CascadiaCremation.com. The family wishes to thank all in the community who shared their love and support for Jean