Camilla Sue Yeend

July 6, 1946—January 29, 2018

Camilla Sue Yeend (Cammy) was born July 6, 1946 in Kirksville, Missouri to Eloise Hartman and Dean Sparks.

In her youth, Cammy’s family lived in Kennewick, WA, and Mt. Shasta, CA before settling in Eugene, OR. Cammy graduated from South Eugene High School in 1964, then attended Eastern Washington University to study English and education. While at EWU, she met the love of her life, Bill Yeend. In their senior year of college, on St. Patrick’s Day, Cammy and Bill were married. Upon graduating in 1968, they moved to the Seattle area where Cammy taught junior high and Bill launched his career in radio. Years later, after dedicating most of her time to raising their twin sons, Cammy pursued her master’s degree at CWU, then taught English at Bellevue College. Cammy was also a journalist; she penned a column in the Bellevue American, and later accepted a position as the Seattle editor for Nostalgia Magazine.

Cammy was active within Eastside community and beyond; she was proud to be on the founding board for the Kirkland Performance Center, and also worked to support the Heifer International Project through Redmond Presbyterian Church. In later years on Camano Island, she served as a member of the P.E.O. chapter, which supports women’s education projects. She also volunteered to help the Camano Center.

The central joy in her life was always her family—Bill, and their twin sons, Mark and David.

Cammy enjoyed a love of dance throughout her life. Strapping on tap shoes and performing with her Gadabouts dance troupe brought her much joy. She even managed to dance her way through a breast cancer diagnosis in 2002 and onto a full recovery.

Unfortunately, at age 71, Cammy’s life dance was cut short by pancreatic cancer. She considered her life as full and complete; a gift from the creator. She was especially thankful for the kindness of friends and family as she battled her disease. She ended life with heartfelt gratitude for the chance to live it and the chance to share it. On January 29, 2018 in Seattle, she exited life’s stage quietly and peacefully while in the loving presence of close family.

Cammy is survived by her husband, Bill Yeend, and father Dean Sparks; and her spirit and memory will be carried on in her children Mark (Jennifer) Yeend, and David (Jenny) Yeend; and her five wonderful grandchildren Hudson, Beckett, Dashiell, Charlie and Ames. Cammy is preceded in death by her beloved mother, Eloise Hartman.

A celebration of Cammy’s life will be held on Monday, March 5, 2018 at 4:00pm (doors open at 3:30) at the Kirkland Performance Center, reception immediately following.

Donations can be made to the contributor’s favorite charity in honor of Cammy. With this gesture, the honor would indeed be hers.