Gay Cusworth went to be with her Lord on May 30, 2007. She was born in Seattle on May 22, 1922 to Edwin E. and Maude Hanson. The Hanson family was some of the early settlers of Snohomish.

Gay went to school in Snohomish, graduating from high school there. After high school she went on to nursing school and worked at Everett General Hospital as a Registered Nurse in obstetrics.

During the World War II years she met a young sailor by the name of Raymond Cusworth who turned out to be the love of her life. They were married in November of 1943 and were able to share nearly 64 years together and raise three wonderful daughters.

They moved to Oak Harbor in 1950 where Ray worked for Everett Trust and Savings Bank. Gay worked in several medical settings including Skagit Valley Hospital in the early years and then finished at the offices of doctors Bailey and Goetz in Oak Harbor as a clinic nurse. She was also the coordinator for the young volunteers (candy stripers) at Whidbey General Hospital for over 10 years.

Gay was a wonderful cook. She loved gardening, beachcombing and bird watching. Together, she and Ray loved boating and traveling. She was a graceful swimmer who loved the water. She loved such family traditions as an “English Style” dinner every Christmas and Fourth of July celebrations at the beach. She belonged to St. Stephens Episcopal Church where she taught Sunday school. She belonged to the Oak Harbor Garden Club and the Hospital Guild.

Gay is survived by her husband Ray Cusworth at the family home in Oak Harbor, daughters Suzie Hofkamp with husband Virgil and, Mary Mansfield with husband Steve all of Anacortes and Nancy Berner with husband Dr. Gary Berner of Oak Harbor. She also leaves two sisters, Crete with husband Ralph Grahn of Beaverton, Ore., and Karen and Husband Emery Jett of Lake Oswego, Ore., and grandchildren Troy Hofkamp and wife Kim, Tami Lay and husband Matt, Dana Berner Colin Berner and Kyle Berner and Tony Hofkamp.

A celebration of life for Gay will be held at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church on Monday, June 4, at 11 a.m. with Fr. Paul Orritt presiding. Reception following at the church. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.