Former Sitkan Susan Frances (Peterson) Witten passed away peacefully Nov. 30, 2014, in her home in Burlington, Wash., after battling liver cancer. She was 69.
She was born on April 20, 1945, in Sitka, the daughter of Alma and Joseph Peterson. She was the eldest child with 10 siblings on her mother’s side and two on her father’s.
She was co-valedictorian of her graduating class at Sitka High School, and attended Skagit Valley College.
After college, she married Doug Hardcastle and lived an adventurous life in Southeast Alaska with him and their son, Phil.
She and Phil later returned to the Skagit Valley, where she met and married Donald Witten. They went on to have two daughters, Jamie and Jody, and made their home in Burlington, where they lived for 41 years.
She was preceded in death by her father, Joseph Peterson; her mother, Alma Jenny; stepfather, Harold Jenny; two brothers, Victor Jenny and Mark Peterson; and her sister, Sandy Jenny.
She is survived by her husband, Donald Witten; son Philip Hardcastle; daughters Jamie Witten and Jody Lease; and her six grandchildren, Tkaus, Cameran, Drew, Rylee, Georgia and Grady.
In her career, Susan was an office manager for a number of local medical and dental practices. She later changed careers and earned her Certified Financial Planner (TM) designation and practiced locally for 26 years. She was active in the quilting community, was an avid flower gardener and had a particular affinity for orchids. Her family, her friends and her dogs were all very important to her.
A celebration of her life will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, at the Skagit Golf and County Club.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Susan’s honor to the following charities: Humane Society of Skagit Valley, Hospice of the Northwest, or the American Cancer Society.
“Please share your thoughts of Susan and sign the online guest register at www.hawthornefh.com,” her family said.
Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon, Wash.
