Edith "Edie" F. (Heinke) Richerson Obituary (1945 - 2018)

Edith (Edie) F. Heinke - George - Richerson passed away at her home on October 28, 2018 at the age of 73 with her family by her side. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Baker City Church of the Nazarene with Pastors Troy Teeter and Lennie Spooner officiating. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. Edie was born on May 9, 1945 in Everett, Washington to Fred L. and Frances E. Heinke and was the youngest of their three children. Edith is survived by two sons, Gene (Sue) George of Raleigh, NC and Jonathan T. George of Seattle, WA; and two grandchildren, Chelsea George and Austin (Kailie) George both of Raleigh, NC. She also is survived by a brother, Robert (Adele) Heinke of Marysville, WA; a sister, Phyllis Gossett of Baker City, OR; one niece Renee Green of Baker City, OR; and three nephews, Steve (Deb )Heinke of Snoqualmie, WA; David (Laura) Heinke of Lake Stevens, WA; and John (Kim) Heinke of Bellingham, WA. Edie grew up in the Everett area and attended Everett public schools and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Everett, WA, and later Christian Faith Center in Mill Creek, WA. She graduated from Cascade High School in 1963 and was married to Sidney A. George of Seattle, WA, that same year. They were married for 14 years. During their marriage, they had two children, Gene C. George, and Jonathan T. George. Years later, she married Lee C. Richerson Sr. of Santa Monica, CA. They were married 25 years until he passed away in 2008. She was employed 30 years, driving a school bus for Edmonds School District, Edmonds WA and a transit bus for Community Transit, Everett, WA. During that time she was the Recording Secretary for ATU Local 1576 and served on their Executive Board. She also worked as an Administrative Assistant for Community Transit in a Job-Sharing program with the company. She retired in 2009 and started a new life in Baker City in 2012 when her sister Phyllis's husband passed away (Delbert Gossett). While living in Baker City, she joined the Church of the Nazarene and appreciated the welcoming spirit of the people at the Church and loved the small town atmosphere of Baker City. She volunteered as secretary on the church board and several ministry teams. She also volunteered with St. Alphonsus Hospital Auxiliary--working in the gift shop where she donated many hand-made items. Edie made over two dozen quilts for friends and family and treasured the women of the church's Thursday Quilting Group. She also joined the Citizens on Patrol (COP) program of the Baker City Police Department. Edie volunteered as administrative help in the front office while encouraging her colleagues and helping on special projects around town. In lieu of flowers, donations can be given in her memory to the NE Oregon Compassion Center or Heart 'n Home Hospice through Gray's West & Company Pioneer Chapel at 1500 Dewey Avenue, Baker City, OR 97814. Edie's family appreciates the terrific care Heart 'n Home gave Edie.