WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A pioneer of Whatcom County government passed away earlier this month.
Shirley Van Zanten died in her Lynden home on Aug. 7 at the age of 89 while surrounded by her daughters.
Van Zanten spent two terms as a member of the Whatcom County Council before becoming the first woman in state history to be elected county executive in 1983. She served three consecutive terms before retiring in 1996.
According to her obituary, Van Zanten was key in preserving public land across the county such as Teddy Bear Cove and Canyon Lake Community Forest.
She also enjoyed going to the opera, attending the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and travelling the world.
She’s survived by her three daughters and several grandchildren.
You can read more from her obituary here.
