Viola “Vi” Kononen passed peacefully at home in Coupeville, with family at her side, on May 13, 2008. Vi was born Oct. 5, 1927, and raised in Astoria, Ore., in the house built by her father.

After raising her family, Vi returned to school at Everett Community College where she received her associate’s degree in nursing. Then, while working as a nurse, she completed her bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry at Western Washington University. Vi moved to Hyden, Ky., and served as a district nurse for Frontier Nursing Service in the Appalachian Mountains. While in Kentucky, Vi completed her master’s degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling at the University of Kentucky.

Vi was a lifelong connoisseur of the fabric arts. She knitted many beautiful sweaters and completed numerous quilts for her family. She was an accomplished seamstress throughout her life and made much of her family’s clothing.

She is survived by her daughter Marilyn and her husband Paul Messner of Coupeville, her son Allen and his wife Bonnie Kononen of Mount Vernon, her brother Marvin and wife Joan Tolonen of Sequim, seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Vi was preceded in her death by her parents, Matt and Aili (Oja) Tolonen and her daughter, JoAnn.

Vi will be greatly missed by her family and her many good friends.