November 29, 1963 -
February 2, 2017

Julie Lynn Gerondale of Anacortes passed away unexpectantly at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, WA, on February 2, 2017.

She was born in Ellensburg, WA, on November 29, 1963, to William and Janice (Eccles) McKay.

Julie was raised on her father's beloved cattle ranch along with her older brothers Mark and Mike until 1974, when the family moved to La Crosse (Hooper), WA, and took over the Eccles' family wheat farm. She lived on the wheat farm until she left for college and was very proud of her farming background.

Julie graduated valedictorian from La Crosse High School in 1982, where she participated in numerous sports, 4-H and cheerleading.

After high school, she attended college at Washington State University where she was a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi Society. Julie graduated from the Honor's program with a Bachelor's degree in Communications in 1986, and had the opportunity to study abroad in Copenhagen, Demark during college. She later obtained a Master's degree in Adult Education from Seattle University in 2001.

After graduating from Washington State, Julie worked in the retail sector as a supervisor at Bon Marche stores in Walla Walla and Seattle, and Georgiou in Seattle, before transitioning to her career passion of adult education. She worked as a customer services trainer at GNA Corp. in Seattle and when the company was acquired by GE Capital; she began her career as a training consultant where she had the opportunity to train adults in both the public and private sectors.

Julie met Jon Gerondale in 1996, and they married three years later in Seattle. After Jon accepted a position as a police officer with the city of Mount Vernon, they moved from Seattle to Mount Vernon, WA.

In 2003, six months after he was born, Julie and Jon officially adopted their cherished son Mason who became the focus of their lives and they moved to Anacortes in 2004.

Julie suffered numerous significant health challenges throughout her shortened life, but fought bravely and touched many people. Words cannot express how deeply she will be missed.

Julie was an extremely kind and caring person who had a strong faith in God, and dearly loved her family and friends. She enjoyed traveling and had the opportunity to visit many places in North America and Europe.

Julie always maintained the strong, simple values she learned growing up in Eastern Washington on the family farm.

She loved to read, being anywhere on the water and going on walks with Jon, Mason and their dog Jack.

Julie is survived by her husband Jon Gerondale, son Mason Gerondale, mother Janice McKay (Colfax, WA), brother Mark McKay and his wife Amy (La Crosse, WA), brother Mike McKay and his wife Julie (Wenatchee, WA), and 5 nieces and nephews Talia (McKay) McCarthy and her husband Teague (Phoenix, AZ), Chelsea McKay (Austin, TX), Cassidy McKay (Pullman, WA), Abby McKay (Pullman, WA) and Ben McKay (Wenatchee, WA).

She was preceded in death by her father William McKay and both sets of grandparents Clanton and Elma Eccles and John and Katherine McKay.

Providing for Mason's education was vitally important to Julie, and in lieu of flowers, for anyone wishing to make a donation the family has established the Mason Gerondale Education Fund at the Anacortes branch of Key Bank, 1600 Commercial Avenue, Anacortes, WA 98221.

A Memorial Service for Julie will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, March 4, 2017, at Greenfield Farm and Gardens, 14162 Gibralter Road, in Anacortes; with a reception to follow.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Anacortes, WA.