August 20, 1922 - November 20, 2012
May you always walk in sunshine…..
Nina Jean Yarzombek passed away on November 20, 2012. She was born August 20, 1922, to parents James and Birdie Mahaffey in Tofield, Alberta. As a young child her family moved to Aberdeen, Washington, where she grew up, primarily in the Wishkah Valley. She graduated in 1940 from Aberdeen (Weatherwax) High School.
In 1942, she married Fred VanEss of Hoquiam and they owned a dairy farm in Montesano. In 1951, they moved to the Wishkah Valley and owned Fred and Jean’s Market. In 1959, Jean moved to Seattle and worked as a secretary and nurse’s aide until 1965 when she married Paul Yarzombek.
Jean and Paul owned and operated Rainbow Charters in Westport and moved the business to Ilwaco in 1968, changing the name to Coho Charters. She spent the rest of her life living in Ilwaco and Ocean Park. She enjoyed cooking, especially pies; sewing; spending time with her family; dancing; and traveling with her husband, Paul, in their motor home, particularly to Montana where they spent many hours fly fishing for trout. They also owned a vacation home for many years in Hemet, California.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband; parents; and brother, Dwayne Mahaffey. She is survived by her son, Fred VanEss Jr. of Edmonds, Wash.; daughter, Barbara Smith of Long Beach, Wash.; stepdaughter, Ruth Bender of Kennewick, Wash.; sisters, Evelyn Johnson and Ruby Bold; five grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
Jean was interred at Fern Hill Cemetery in Aberdeen.
