Ann Douglas Sievertson

long time Bainbridge Islander, passed away February 16, 2016, at Harbor House Hospice, after a brief illness. She was 82 years old.Ann was born August 1, 1933, to Douglas D. and Margaret Ann (Martin) McKay, in Hong Kong, China. At the age of 7, she moved with her parents to Seattle, where her mother's parents and siblings lived. They also spent summers at their vacation house on the Bainbridge side of Agate Pass. Ann graduated from the Bush School, and attended the University of Oregon, where she met the love of her life, Norman Sievertson. They were married on October 3, 1953.Norm and Ann first settled in Lake Oswego, Oregon, where they established many life-long friendships. In 1971, Norm accepted a job offer in the Seattle area. Recounting her fond memories of Bainbridge, Ann easily convinced him that was the place to be, and they built their family home on Manzanita Bay.Ann was famous for her love of cooking and entertaining. She had the amazing ability to create a meal for a group on a whim. This talent served her well when she opened the first deli on Bainbridge, the Island Delicatessen and Creamery. She got one of the biggest thrills of her life when Katherine Hepburn visited the deli. She had the pleasure of preparing a picnic lunch for her favorite actress! After selling the deli, Ann continued serving customers as the manager of the gift shop at Virginia Mason Hospital. She may have spent much of her earnings on gifts for her children and grandkids, but she thoroughly enjoyed her job and the many people she got to meet.Whether with family or their very large circle of friends, the Sievertsons were always up to something. In addition to Ann's knack of organizing parties for every imaginable occasion, they spent many enjoyable journeys on Norm's sailboat, numerous days on the ski slopes, and many hours playing tennis. They travelled extensively through the Pacific Northwest, Hawaii and Mexico. They visited Europe twice and went to China.In 1997, Norm suffered a debilitating stroke. Ann stayed by his side every day during months of hospitalization and rehab. When he was finally able to come home, she was determined to be his primary caregiver. She soon realized that their beloved home of 35 years no longer suited their needs. A new home near Winslow was built, where Norm was able to live comfortably under her watchful eye. It was here that Ann spent countless hours developing her fabulous garden, complete with pond. It was very much a labor of love and she took great pride and joy from it. While she cared for Norm and tended her garden, she continued to entertain and travel. She visited her daughter and grandsons in Chicago at least once a year, returned to Europe, and even managed to fulfill a lifelong dream of going on an African safari.Ann was always involved in the community. She did volunteer work at Fred Hutchinson treatment center and was a docent at the Bloedel Reserve for several years. She was also a very committed and active member of Grace Episcopal Church.Ann was preceded in death by Norman, in November 2005. She is survived by her son, Martin and his wife Lisa, of Bainbridge Island, daughter Cindi, of Chicago, and four grandchildren, Dylan (Laura) Sievertson, Aidan Sievertson, and Michael and Max Soderlund.Friends and family are respectfully invited to attend a Memorial Service on Saturday, April 2, 2016, at 2:00 pm At Grace Episcopal Church on Bainbridge Island. A reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Volunteer Firefighters Association (8895 Madison Avenue, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110), or Grace Episcopal Church (8595 NE Day Road E., Bainbridge Island, WA 98110).