Jacqueline Sue Washburn Nolte
June 6, 1963 – November 22, 2025
Jackie passed away peacefully at her home in Blaine after a long battle of ALS.
Jackie was a Blaine High School graduate and an extremely good athlete, even receiving Athlete of the Year in her senior year and receiving a scholarship to USC for volleyball. She played volleyball, basketball, baseball and was always proud of the name given to her while playing volleyball, ‘Boomer.”
She had a long a 25-year career with the US Customs Service, being promoted to supervisor of the FP&F office, Fines Penalty and Forfeitures, who handled all the seized merchandise including narcotics that had been seized. Before becoming a supervisor, and at the beginning of her career, she was most proud of a currency seizure that she had made. During a search of a female subject, she found close to $200,000 in drug money taped in packets to the female’s body. For many years, it was the largest body currency seizure in the Area Port of Blaine, and may still be.
Many friends and fellow employees commented separately that she was like a ray of sunshine when she came into the room, working in law enforcement can tend to darken your day, but Jackie always brightened your day each time you came into contact with her. She had the most beautiful smile. Even in the midst of this terrible disease, unable to walk and even speak, she brightened the day of healthcare workers and all her hospice caregivers with her smile.
Married to her husband John for over 35 years and retiring from Customs in 2011, they both lived a very fulfilling life on their 5-acre homestead between Blaine and Lynden, taking many RV trips across the United States with their Labrador dogs. She also was a fantastic cook and baker along with being a wonderful gardener and every year had the most beautiful garden.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Arlene Washburn, and is survived by her husband John; her Big Boy Dutton her yellow Labrador; sister- and brother-in-law Lisa and Doug Nolte; sisters Carol Payne, Diane Petersen, and brother Dean Washburn.
A Celebration of Life will be held this coming summer at our home. A date is yet to be determined but once scheduled, friends and family will be notified.
Donations to either of the two following organizations are appreciated, The ALS Association, their mission is to help them accelerate new treatments, optimize current care, and reduce the harms of ALS, or to Eden Hospice in Bellingham, who so wonderfully cared for her during her last couple of months of life.
