Jean Marleen (Williamson) Wilford

***ATTENTION: SERVICE UPDATE***
Services for Jean Wilford have been rescheduled as follows: A Vigil Prayer Service will be held on Friday, August 25th at 6PM at Westford Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, August 26th, 2023 at 10 AM at Church of the Assumption, with burial following at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery, and a reception at St. Peter’s Hall.
You can view the Service via Livestream at this link, https://youtube.com/@assumptionbellingham?si=bRgiK3LsZHVLe6QS
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Jean was the twelfth of thirteen children born to Lee Sr. and Mary Williamson on May 27, 1962, entitling her to be baptized by the Archbishop of Seattle Thomas A. Connolly. On August 10, 2023, Jean entered her heavenly home surrounded by her husband, children, and loved ones in the family home after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Jean grew up in Kendall, WA, alongside her twin sister, Joan, siblings, cousins, and lifelong friends. She attended Maple Falls Elementary and graduated with honors from Mount Baker High School in 1980.

Jean’s greatest joy was her family. On August 4, 1983, Jean met Thomas “Tom” Wilford, who would become her husband for 39 years. It was love at first sight, and they were married roughly six months later on February 11, 1984, at St. Joseph’s Church in Lynden. Their marriage was a true testament of a love that never wavered, and an inspiration to all who were fortunate enough to witness it. They were blessed with four beautiful children and lived in their family home in the Northshore area of Bellingham.

Jean loved her Lord Jesus, and served him joyfully and faithfully throughout her life. She was involved with ministries at both Assumption Catholic Church in Bellingham and St. Peter’s Mission in Deming. Jean shared her time, talent, and love of Christ in many ways, including serving on Assumption Church Parish Council and in Liturgical Ministry, leading Women’s Scripture Study, participating in youth retreats and Vacation Bible School, and sang in the choir.

Jean was a woman of many gifts and talents. She spent the past twenty years working alongside her husband as a TSA Specialist in the family business of freight forwarding. She also recently obtained a license in real estate. Jean enjoyed many activities, including gardening, singing, dancing, art, painting, and home improvement projects.

Jean had a great gift of gathering people, and a deep love for others. Jean and Tom opened their home to many family, friends, and community members over the years with an open-door policy. She and her family nursed and cared for her mother and mother-in-law without a second thought. Many family and friends have stayed at Jean and Tom’s, whether for a few days or a few years, always being cared for and loved as one of her own. This was also the case for any stray animals the children brought home. When it came time that Jean was the one who needed care, her husband and children did what they had witnessed to care for her until the very end.

Jean touched the lives of countless people and will be deeply missed by many. She is survived by her husband Tom Wilford; mother Mary Williamson; children Aaron, Brian (Leap), Megan, and Nathan (Samantha) Wilford; grandchildren Cameron Wilford and granddaughter on the way; brothers Lee, Larry (Mary), Steve (Char), Dan (Teresa) Williamson; sisters Sara (Jesse) Galbraith, Ann (Les) Nelson, Susan (John) Horsmon, Linda Wilson, and twin Joan Williamson; along with many nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins, and close friends.
Jean was preceded in death by her forever baby Sean, father Lee Williamson Sr., mother-in-law Anita Hull, brothers Jim and Tom Williamson, sister Debra Williamson, brother-in-law John Wilford, and nephew Cameron Wilson.

The family would like to express their gratitude to PeaceHealth and UW Medicine for providing exceptional care for Jean throughout her journey. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hope House, https://www.assumption.org/hope-house.html .