Holly Ann Fotheringill

Holly Ann Fotheringill was born on March 18, 1943 in Chicago, Illinois to Raymond Anderson and Aino Kotila Anderson. She was the second of three children with brothers Rodger and Richard.

Her earliest years were spent on the family farm in Frederick, South Dakota. When she was three, the family moved to Kelso, Washington and two years later moved to Renton where they made their permanent home. Holly graduated from Renton High School and began college at Central Washington University as a music major.

In 1965 she married Michael Fotheringill. They started their home on Mercer Island then moved to Bellevue, Spokane and back to Mercer Island where they lived until 2012. Holly worked the first six years of their marriage until their first son Tyler was born, followed by son Jeffrey four years later. Holly was a stay-at-home mom for the next ten years before returning to work in the healthcare field. After receiving her degree in Human Services from Western Washington University, she began a new career in elder care, ultimately working as Activity Director at Covenant Shores Retirement Community on Mercer Island. During her time on Mercer Island she served as a board member of the Boys and Girls Club and also in a number of roles at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church including choir member and soloist. She enjoyed hiking, running, sailing, weight lifting and pilates. Holly was also active in Bible Study Fellowship for years, both in Bellevue and in University Place.

Feeling a very strong need to serve others, Holly and Mike retired early from their careers to become missionaries, serving Mercy Ships as volunteers aboard the hospital ship Anastasis in West Africa for three years. They then served at the Mercy Ships International Operations Center for two more years before returning home to Mercer Island. In 2012 they retired to Anderson Island in south Puget Sound.

In 2013 Holly was diagnosed with a stage two cancer that required a hysterectomy and subsequent radiation. She was pronounced cancer-free in February of 2014 but two months later she was diagnosed with another endometrial cancer, this time, stage three from which she would not survive.

Throughout her life Holly impressed both friends and family with the love she had for them and for the Lord. That magnificent love will be her legacy. Holly is survived by her husband Mike, her sons Tyler and Jeffrey, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Her memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Thursday, April 16 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Mercer Island.