Washington state's first career female firefighter has died of complications from cancer at the age of 64, the Bellevue Fire Department announced Wednesday.
Jeanette Woldseth, a retired fire captain with the department who became a professional firefighter in 1977, died Monday afternoon.
“Captain Woldseth was truly a ground-breaker, not only in the Bellevue Fire Department, but within the larger firefighter community,” said Bellevue Interim Fire Chief Todd Dickerboom. “She paved the way for so many women who came after her. We’re all deeply saddened by this loss. Jeanette was a very talented, wonderful person.”
He said Woldseth came from a long line of firefighters in her family. Her grandfather served with the Seattle Fire Department and her father was a volunteer captain with the Bellevue Fire Department, serving for 25 years.