WA - Maureen S. Royal 74, longtime resident of Skagit County died at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon on her birthday, Thursday, December 26, 2024, with her loving husband and sons at her bedside. She was born on December 26, 1950, in Bremerton, Washington. She was raised by her parents, Adrienne and Len Gordon along with sisters Renee and Karen in Seattle, Washington. She graduated from Queen Anne High School in 1969 and received an associate's degree in the following years.

She started the 1970s with the birth of her son Adam, followed by son Drew six years later and with every job she worked there was always advancement. By 1988 she found herself divorced and a single parent working as an Executive Assistant at Associated Grocers in Seattle. A friend, co-worker and future sister-in-law had an intuition and introduced Maureen to her brother, also a single parent of two boys.

Maureen and Dan Royal married in August 1989 and began a new life and adventure in Skagit County. David and Jon Royal called their second Mother, "Mom," from day one in this new blended family. Adam started his first year of college at WWU that Fall, while the other boys began their first school years in Concrete School District.

From 1989 to 2009 she worked in organic produce as Sales Manager at CF Fresh/Viva Tierra while also beginning volunteer work with her husband. All the while, being an exceptional mother, whose influence left an indelible mark on her sons, future daughters-in-law's and grandchildren.

Her influence also included mentoring younger employees in her job at CF Fresh, one of whom created his own business in Portland Oregon called Bridge's Organic Produce. She decided to join him in 2009 as a Category Manager doing import sales from her home office and worked until health issues slowed her down in 2024. She had intended to continue back to work part-time in November. Owner Ben shared in an industry mailing, "Maureen's ability to identify and nurture talent led to the creation of many successful teams and launched numerous careers."

So numerous was her volunteer work through the years. She attacked all projects with enthusiasm, devotion, humor and laughter to everyone she worked with. A sampling included: A charter member and Past President of Upper Skagit Valley Women's Ministry, she always wanted to make sure there was money in the budget for scholarships to anyone who could not afford the fee for the Annual Retreat; a year's long tree designer with her friend Kathy Henderson (who passed in 2024 from her cancer) for the annual 'Festival of Trees' to benefit the Skagit Regional Health Foundation; Maureen worked with the Executive Director and committee of Skagit County Historical Museum to raise funds for Skagit City School. She was devoted but private in her spiritual faith.

About Maureen's great talent for giving, her niece Jenna Merriam said it best, "She was a very special woman, treasured by our family and adored by many. She embodied generosity and thoughtfulness, adding unique touches to every Birthday/Christmas/Celebration and creatively making them so memorable. She took on the matriarchal role in our family and wore it so naturally well, with pride, and made everyone feel so loved."

Emily Webster-Jackson shared that, "The Jewish people believe that dying on your birthday means you have achieved the mission you were born to achieve, and that's something worth celebrating."

Maureen is survived by her loving and devoted husband Dan Royal of Mount Vernon, sons Adam Jackson (Kelli) of Olympia, WA; Drew Jackson (Emily) of Los Angeles, CA; David Royal (Linda) of Denmark; Jon Royal (Katelyn) of Bothell, WA. Eight grandkids she loved and adored: Emily, Megan, Claire, Tyler, Lily, Marta, Sophia and Oliver. Sisters Renee Gordon (Matt) and Karen Merriam (Kevin), cousins, numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and Pruner grandparents, a mother-in-law, Claire Royal, father-in-law, Philip Royal and sister-in-law, Dianna Miskimens.

A 'Celebration of Life' will be held Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Bethany Covenant Church, 1318 S. 18th St., Mount Vernon, WA from 1PM to 5PM. Flowers can be sent to Bethany Covenant at the time of the memorial. There will be a private family burial of her ashes at Mount Vernon Cemetery, March 16 in section 7.

Kern Funeral Home, 1122 So. 3rd Street, Mount Vernon, WA held a viewing Friday, January 3, 2025, and Saturday, January 4, 2025.

Memorial donations can be sent to: Maureen S. Royal Scholarship Fund c/o Upper Skagit Valley Women's Ministry (USVWM) PO Box 563, Concrete, WA 98237 360-853-8182 or Skagit County Historical Society & Museum PO Box 818, La Conner, WA. 98257