Vicky Rose DuCharme

Vicky DuCharme, 72, of Camano Island, died suddenly at Skagit Valley Hospital on December 16th, 2025. As the cornerstone of our family Vicky will be deeply missed and our memories with her as a beloved wife, mother, sister and grandmother will be with us always.

She was born in Everett Washington on May 26th, 1953, to William (Bud) and Marilyn Wheeler. Vicky, the oldest of three siblings, enjoyed her childhood outdoors alongside her younger brother Wade and sister Gail. She shared a room with her sister, and many fun shenanigans were had, including pretending to be racehorses when they were supposed to be going to bed. Her family loved going camping and fishing, often borrowing her grandparents' camper for their trips. As a child Vicky grew up with a deep love and strong bonds with her maternal grandparents Ernest and Ruth Norgaard. She enjoyed spending time at the family's farm in Stanwood alongside her cousins. As a teenager and young adult, she contributed to various responsibilities, including gardening, performing miscellaneous tasks such as baling hay, and operating the tractor. She was known to bring a book with her wherever she went, and this can prove problematic if you’re driving heavy machinery and not watching where you are going. She grew up on the west side of Mount Vernon where she attended school, graduating from Mount Vernon Highschool in 1971. She ranked in her high school's top ten and actively participated in several extracurricular clubs, including Skagina yearbook as co-editor, Pep Club, All-School Play, Operetta Thespians, Honor Society, Torch, Ski Club, Band, German Club, and Girls Club. For many of these clubs she was joined by her best friend of many years Helen Cheek.

Vicky went on to attend the University of Washington and Brigham Young University in Provo UT. She used to joke that she majored in skiing. It was while attending the University of Washington that she met the love of her life and future husband, Michael Dean DuCharme. Her and some girl friends were running around the dorms making a fair amount of noise and Mike was playing cards with friends annoyed by all the commotion his first words to her were “You guys need to pipe down!” As the adage goes, the rest is history. Excited to start their lives together, the two were married at Avon Methodist Church, Mount Vernon, April 12th, 1975, surrounded by friends and family. They were married for fifty years prior to her passing.

Vicky and Mike went on to have a family, and their children meant the world to them. Bryan, Chad, and Jayme were born in 1977, 1980, and 1984, respectively. After dedicating time to raising her young children at home, Vicky later embarked on a fulfilling career as a florist. She spent many years honing her skills and became widely recognized for her exceptional talent in floral design. She even got to work alongside her own mother for years in the floral department at Thrifty Foods. She had a knack for balanced design and decorating. Over the years her home was always decorated to the max for whatever upcoming holiday was on the horizon. Later in life she also trained and worked as a kidney dialysis technician and coordinator. Vicky was very well-known with her family and friends for her exceptional cooking, and her signature dishes were always favorites at holiday get-togethers and potlucks. She was also a big fan of sweets and always kept a secret supply of chocolate in the house, usually near her bed. Throughout her life, Vicky played an essential role in creating a nurturing and secure environment for her family. Her unwavering support and dedication were a constant source of strength for her children, and the stability she provided will forever be cherished. The love and encouragement she offered were fundamental to the happiness and well-being of those closest to her, leaving a legacy that will always be remembered with gratitude. Vicky and Mike spent time living in Mount Vernon, San Pedro, CA, and Phoenix, AZ and Williston, ND before eventually returning to Washington state to retire and be near their family.

One of Vicky’s most cherished titles was that of Grandma. She was a grandmother to three grandsons Corbin (15), Hudson (12) and Zavier (11). She treasured her time with their grandkids, never failing to attend birthdays, sporting events, music concerts, family trips and made special memories with them for the holidays baking and decorating her amazing Christmas cookies. She was always eager to lend a hand, often caring for her grandchildren while their parents were at work or having a date night to themselves. The boys loved sleepovers at their grandparents’, where Vicky always had their favorite foods and treats ready. Through her loving presence and attentive support, she helped ensure that her grandchildren felt safe, loved, and nurtured, creating countless cherished memories during those times together. The boys will never forget how much their Grandma was present and involved in their lives. Some of the dearest moments in Vicky's life were those spent at barbecues and camping trips at the river property, surrounded by her loved ones. Whether it was enjoying delicious food together or sharing laughter around a campfire (with a round of Authors or two) these gatherings with friends and family created lasting memories that will be treasured by all who were fortunate enough to share in them.

Vicky’s affection for animals was evident throughout her life. As a child, she was surrounded by family pets and took great joy in riding horses on her grandparents’ farm. She also rode horses with her neighbor and best friend Helen. This enduring fondness for animals continued as she raised her own family. Vicky ensured that her children grew up alongside beloved family dogs, and she welcomed other pets into their home as well, including a cat, a guinea pig, and even a rabbit. Her warm and caring nature extended to every creature in her life, making animals an integral part of her family’s memories.

Vicky enjoyed numerous hobbies throughout her life, but her passion for reading stood out above all. It's difficult to even guess how many books she completed in her lifetime. As a young girl she was frequently scolded for being discovered beneath the covers after bedtime, using a flashlight to read. She always supported her local library, and once Kindles were introduced, she kept hers close at hand at all times. She was nearsighted and grew up wearing glasses but had Lasik as an adult. In her later years, she required glasses once more and became well-known for frequently misplacing them in various locations. She was a beloved member of the book club her daughter started and rarely missed a meeting.

Vicky will always be remembered for her kindness, love, generosity and the ways in which she always showed up for those she loved. She was an exceptional wife, mother, sister, grandma, daughter, and friend. Her passing is deeply mourned by all who had the privilege of knowing and caring for her.

Vicky was preceded in death by both sets of her grandparents Ernest and Ruth Norgaard, and Ezra & Gladis Wheeler, and her parents Marilyn and William Wheeler. She is survived by her husband Michael DuCharme, her children Bryan DuCharme, Chad DuCharme, Jayme (Michael) Lambert, her grandsons Corbin Lambert, Hudson Lambert and Zavier DuCharme, her brother Wade (Monica) of Post Falls ID, her sister Gail (Eric) Henry of Seattle and many cousins, nieces, nephews and other extended family members.

A Remembrance of Life for her will be held at the residence of her daughter, Jayme Lambert, on Saturday June 27th, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Guests are welcome to attend at their convenience and share memories with family and friends. Please contact via email jayme.lambert@icloud.com or via Facebook to request the address of the event. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations be made to your local library in memory of Vicky DuCharme.