Anna Mae Barnard, 89, passed away of natural causes on Jan. 5. She was joined by her husband, Dallas Neil Barnard, 93, 12 days later on Jan. 17.

The couple were married for over 62 years and could not be separated after a lifetime of love and devotion to one another.

Anna Mae was a native of Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, where her mother owned the movie theatre and her father owned the town bakery. Anna Mae formed lifelong friendships in Friday Harbor and enjoyed an idyllic childhood in the beauty and adventures of island living.

She left Friday Harbor to study nursing in Bellingham and work as a nurse in Seattle, but she returned annually to her beloved Friday Harbor and instilled her love of the island in her family. Anna Mae is preceded in death by her only sister, Sena Lou.

Dallas was born in Fargo, North Dakota. He was the eldest son of Luther and Rosella. He made his way out west to work for Lockheed and later served in World War II. He returned to the Northwest to work as a radio announcer for KVI in Seattle and later enjoyed a long career marketing radio broadcast equipment.

Dallas and Anna Mae met on a blind date and married in 1952. They lived for many years in California, returning to spend their semi-retirement as property managers in the Bridle Trails area of Kirkland, Wash. Dallas is preceded in death by his sister, Ruth, and his brother, Jim.

The couple cherished their family and close friends, who were also family to them.

They are survived by their son Jeffrey Sweeney ( Maria), of Santa Barbara, Calif.; daughter Jennifer Duncan of Redmond; grandchildren Nicholas Duncan and William Sweeney; brother Ken Barnard of Tacoma; niece Janine Strandoo; nephew John Kirshner (Darcy).

Their circle of love was wide and surrounded dear friends Jim, Edna, and Kate Holub as family, too.

An informal memorial gathering was held at the home of their daughter Jennifer Duncan and a private graveside service will be held this spring in Friday Harbor.

— Family of Dallas & Anna Mae Barnard