Winnie Vanderpool Obituary (1915

Winnifred Vanderpool, 92, of Port Orchard, WA, formerly of Bremerton passed away at Ridgemont Terrace Senior Care Center on July 7, 2007 from congestive heart failure. She was born on March 8, 1915 in Yakima, WA to Charles G. and Jane (Pringle) Strong. She graduated from Bremerton High School in 1933. She was married to John H. Vanderpool, who preceded her death in 1979. Winnie retired from the Teamsters Union after 26 years of employment as their bookkeeper. Winnie was a lifetime member of the Charleston Baptist Church as well as their organist for over 55 years, until her stroke in July 2002. She was the state pianist and a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, as well as the VFW, and the Rebecca Lodge and many remember her for her piano playing at sing along time at the Elks Lodge. She was a very accomplished pianist and was well known at all senior care centers in all of Kitsap County, as most days she played at one or two every day of the week. She was also the accompanist for the "Sunshine Singers" from the Bremerton Senior Center for a number of years, and was the accompanist at many weddings and special occasions. In her younger years she played music for some of the silent movies shown in Bremerton and played piano with her father in their dance band during the Second World War. Winnie was a true musician and loved collecting every song ever written. She has received many awards for her countless hours of volunteering her time and music to the senior citizens of Kitsap County. She loved to travel and enjoyed many good times traveling with her siblings and her good friends. She was preceded in death by a son Richard (Dick) Vanderpool and 3 brothers, Wilmont, Rupert and Orville Strong. She is survived by her son, Charles R. "Chuck" Vanderpool (Darlene) of Lacey, WA; two step-daughters, Kay Herschel (Jim) of Port Hadlock and Betty Goswick of Texas; brother, George Strong of Bremerton; sister, Harriet Drake of Walla Walla, WA; numerous grandchildren, step grandchildren and great grandchildren. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews and her special friends, Dorothy Hall, Ellen Schultz and Joe and Pat Beauchamp. The family would like to thank all the staff at Ridgemont Terrace Senior Care Center for taking such loving care of "OUR WINNIE" for the last 5 years. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association: 12721 30th Ave NE, Suite 101 Seattle, WA 98125. A memorial service will be held at Lewis Funeral Chapel on Friday, July 13th at 11:00am.