Coupeville Sports

Kathleen Anderson

Coupeville School Board President Kathleen Anderson, who was an exceptionally-strong advocate for education, has passed away.

After 14 years on the Washington State Board of Education, she was appointed to Coupeville’s board in January, 2004.

Anderson won re-election four times, in 2005, 2009, 2013, and 2017.

After initially filing for the 2021 race, she removed her name from consideration and announced her impending retirement.

Anderson graduated from high school and college in Iowa, later moving to Whidbey Island.

She had been the organist at Coupeville’s United Methodist Church since 1963, and both of her children graduated from Coupeville High School.

Through the Videoville years, then my time writing Coupeville Sports, I found Kathleen to be a kind, deeply-caring woman.

She always had a smile and a gentle word for me when we passed each other in life, and I greatly admire the time and commitment she gave to her community, and the children who grew up in it.

My deep appreciation for her has been echoed this afternoon on social media.

A post on the Methodist Church Facebook page drew heartfelt sentiments from two other very-kind Coupeville women I have also known since the Videoville days.

“So sorry to hear this. She was such a sweetheart,” wrote Janet Rojas. “May she rest in peace.”

“I loved her dearly,” added Barb Cope. “This makes me so very sad.

“Rest in peace, dear friend.”