Viola Van Eynde, 98, Bellevue Washington pioneer, went to be with her Lord on August 5, 2022. Vi is survived by her daughters, Susan (Harry) Vander Mey of Redmond, WA and Ellen De Wit (Larry) of Rock Valley, IA. Stepsons Stephen Van Eynde of Washington, D.C., Phillip (Barbara) Van Eynde of Vancouver, WA and stepdaughter, Jeanmarie Bryant of Enumclaw, WA. She had 11 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren with another one expected February 2023. Preceding her in death were her parents Alfred and Sigrid Swanson; husbands Robert Flynn and Arthur Van Eynde; son Robert Flynn; brother Wilfred Swanson and sister Evelyn Anderson. Elna Viola Swanson was born at her parents’ home in Highland area of Bellevue in January,1924. Her parents, as Swedish emigrants, came to the United States in the early 1920s after homesteading in Saskatchewan, Canada. Her siblings Wilfred and Evelyn were born in Saskatchewan. Viola grew up in the close-knit Highland community with family and friends. One of her favorite activities as a child was roller skating down Bellevue Redmond Road. Throughout her life, Viola remained a close friend to Priscilla Stevenson Kanestrom whose father was both teacher and principal in Bellevue during their elementary years. Priscilla preceded her in death in December 2021. They had been friends since they were 9, a friendship spanning close to 90 years. Viola’s mom, Sigrid, helped start the Sunday School of the now Highland Covenant Church when Viola was young. Viola was confirmed there and later became a charter member of the church. She attended Highland Grade School through the eighth grade and graduated as Salutatorian from Union (S) High School (now Bellevue High) in 1942. Her first job was picking strawberries on the family farm where Highland Middle School is presently located. The school property was donated by her father. Her father also helped build houses, many of which are still occupied today. She met her husband Robert Flynn while playing on the Highland Grange baseball team. She was the pitcher, and he was the catcher. She married Rob in February 1943. Together they had three children: Bob, Susan and Ellen. Viola was a compassionate wife and mother. About 1951, Rob and Viola became part of the Bellevue Christian School community. Rob was Treasurer of the School Board which meant many volunteer hours spent on finance. In 1958, the volunteer job became a paid position for Viola. Her starting wage was $40 per month. Viola had to take over many responsibilities as Rob’s rheumatoid arthritis became progressively worse. Rob passed away in 1965, leaving Vi a young widow. In 1977, the Bellevue Christian School Board named Viola as Comptroller. She served in that capacity until 1981. In addition to being Bellevue Christian’s Comptroller, she was the first woman on their School Board and a Charter Member of their Greene Heritage Society. She also was a co-founder of Ensenada Christian Ministries and a Board member of Alta Vista College and World Impact Network. In 1974, Vi married Art Van Eynde and added his three children to the family: Stephen, Phillip and Jeanmarie. Art was an internal auditor for Prudential, and she was able to join him often as his region was much of the Western United States including Alaska. In 1986, Art and Vi spent a year in Japan trading places with missionary friends. After Art’s passing in 2006, she spent spring and fall with Ellen’s family and Bob in Northwest Iowa, having her own apartment at Ellen and Larry’s. She loved spending time with them as well as enjoying her grandkids’ and great grandkids’ activities. In 2019, her last trip to Iowa, she flew home first class by herself. Arriving home from Iowa, her furniture had been moved to Harry and Sue’s home where she lived for the next four years. In June 2021, she moved to ViewRidge Adult Family home, close to Harry and Sue, where she lived for the last 14 months. Memorial gifts may be given to Greene Heritage Endowment Fund. Address: Bellevue Christian School, 1701 98th Ave NE, Clyde Hill, WA 98004