Kathleen Ranae (Tew) Burdette, 70, passed away May 21, 2018, at Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton Washington. She was born in Shelley, Idaho October 3, 1947 to parents Floyd and Shirley Tew. The family , including her older brother Ralph, moved to Deer Park, Wa in 1954. Both children graduated from Deer Park High School and attended WSU.
On Feb 3, 1973, Kathleen (also known as Ranae) married Earl Burdette, a classmate from Deer Park. In 1978 while living in Spokane, they became proud parents to a daughter, Jennifer. Ranae was a happy stay at home mom and Earl worked at Darigold. They returned to Deer Park in 1982 to enjoy farm life close to family and longtime friends. Ranae volunteered at Jennifer’s grade school, then worked as an elementary aide and in 1991 returned to college to become a Special Education teacher. Ranae earned a Bachelor of General Studies, Summa Cum Laude, from Gonzaga University in 1994 and was then employed by the Riverside School District until 1998 as an 8th grade English Teacher.
Earl and Ranae moved to Bainbridge Island in 1998 and Earl continued to work for Darigold in downtown Seattle. Ranae soon became a bookseller at Eagle Harbor Book Co. and coordinated reading selections for several book groups until retirement in 2010. Ranae then was a caregiver to her Mother Shirley until 2015. Earl and Ranae were enjoying retirement at their home when Ranae was diagnosed with cancer in March of this year.
Ranae had a stellar sense of humor. She loved books, movies and yoga classes with friends. Hers was a life dedicated to compassion, conservation and equality. This compassion was expressed through her patronage to many causes including Greenpeace, the ASPCA and in her position as an ally. Ranae was a lifelong vegetarian and cared for her pets like family.
Ranae was preceded in death by her parents, one nephew, and her father-in law. She is survived by her husband Earl, Bainbridge Island, daughter Jennifer Burdette, Issaquah, Wa, brother Ralph Tew (wife Kris) Mead Wa, nephew Justin Tew, Spokane Wa, mother-in-law Betty Burdette, Deer Park, Wa, brother-in-law Michael Burdette (wife Judie) Loon Lake Wa, and their family, and her dog Bree at the family home.
At Kathleen Ranae’s request, no service will be held. To honor Kathleen Ranae’s life, the family suggests memorial donations to Old Dog Haven, PO Box 1409, Oak Harbor, Wa 98277: www.olddoghaven.org
