Tena Hammell Atwood

Tena Hammell Atwood, of Vancouver, WA, passed away on May 17, 2015. She was 98 years old. Tena was born January 7, 1917, in Lynden, Washington to Bastiaan Kolff and Agnes VanderHoek. Her parents emigrated from Holland to join the Dutch community in Lynden. As a girl Tena loved going to school, and graduated from Sheridan High School in Sheridan, OR, with 27 fellow students, including her future husband, Donald Atwood. The couple married in 1938, and purchased the Atwood family home in Sheridan, where they lived until moving to Vancouver in 1988. During her working life, Tena was a talented homemaker, a part-time U.S. Postal clerk, and a skilled hairdresser, keeping the neighbor ladies in permanents. In 1940 Tena and Don were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Judith Dianne. The family moved to San Francisco during WWII while Don served in the US Navy, and eventually returned to Sheridan. Tena and Don were inseparable during their years together, sharing passions for growing flowers in the greenhouse, fishing Oregon's Cascade lakes, RV camping on the Oregon coast, and visiting with friends and family. During the 1970s, they towed a fifth wheel trailer to Indio, CA each winter. Tena will be remembered for her sweet smile, her entertaining stories from her childhood, her love of growing plants and saving seeds, her beautiful Dutch name, Teuntje Huigerinaas well as the time, attention, and loving support she provided her grandchildren. Tena is survived by: sister Golda Fabian, Tigard, OR; sister Clarinda Leep, Bonners Ferry, ID; daughter Judith Youde and son-in-law James Youde of Vancouver, WA; granddaughter Jill Youde of Anacortes, WA; grandson and granddaughter-in-law Jeffrey Youde and Kristin Becker of Port Townsend, WA; granddaughter Jessica Youde of Phoenix AZ; as well as many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death are husband Donald Atwood; brother Bert Hammill; and sister Adeline Swartout. Tena Atwood will be interred at Park View Cemetery in Vancouver, WA, next to her beloved husband, Don. Memorial donations may be made in her name to the Clark County Food Bank, 6502 NE 47th Ave Vancouver, WA 98661.

Tena Hammell Atwood

January 7, 1917 - May 17, 2015