Vera LaVonne Copeland Coulter of Vashon, known to many as “Buzzy,” died March 19, 2003. She was 86 years old.

She was born in 1916 in Montgomery County, Iowa, to Charles and Delia Copeland and was the fourth of eight children.

While living in Iowa, she met John Coulter and they married April 23, 1933. They raised two daughters, Sondra Kay and Deborah Jonette.

Mrs. Coulter will be remembered as a devoted wife and mother relocating to California, Nevada, and finally Vashon though in her heart “home” was always Red Oak. For the past five years, she lived at the Vashon Community Care Center.

In her earlier years she enjoyed many interests including gardening, playing cards and cooking for family gatherings. She was an avid sports fan, her favorite being professional baseball.

Her father, mother, husband, sisters Dorothy Gertrude, Lorene Evaline, Maxine Martha and brother Wayne LaVerne all died earlier.

Survivors include her sister Carmon Louise, her brothers Marion Wesley and Charles Duane, and daughters Sondra Gulledge, and Deborah Richards and their families, including seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, all living in the Northwest, and many other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held at the home of her daughter and son-in-law at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 5.

Friends who wish to remember her may send donations in her name to the Vashon Community Care center, 15333 Vashon Highway S.W. Vashon Island, Wash. 98070.