Florence Sundwall Fairbanks

Fairview, Utah Florence Marie Sundwall Fairbanks died November 30, 2013. She was born September 21, 1923, in Fairview, Utah, to Peter Sundwall Jr. and Harriet Eleanor Brady, the youngest child in a family of one son and five daughters. She enjoyed her childhood and youth in Fairview, a small town in Sanpete Valley about one hundred miles south of Salt Lake City, Utah. As a descendent of early Utah pioneers who helped introduce banking and the sheep raising industry into the county, some of her fondest memories were summer visits to sheep camps in the high, blossoming meadows of the mountains above her home town. She studied and enjoyed both piano and violin. She attended grade school and junior high school in Fairview and graduated from North Sanpete High School in the nearby town of Mt. Pleasant, Utah, in 1941. She attended Brigham Young University for two years. During World War II, she worked one summer at Hillier Industries in a defense job in Berkley, California. During September of 1943, she accompanied her older sister, Nellie, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to assist in Nellies convalescence from hip surgery. While there, she met Eugene Fairbanks, a medical student in military training at the university. They later married in 1944, in the Latter-Day Saint temple in Salt Lake City, Utah. The couple lived in Michigan until his graduation and during his internship. They resided in the Ballard district of Seattle during his military service. As they reared their family, they lived in Salt Lake City, Utah, the Tri-Cities of Eastern Washington, and again in Seattle for two years during his residency in a medical specialty. Later, they moved to Bellingham where they have lived for the last 50 years. Florence outlived her parents, her brother, and her four sisters. She is survived by her husband, Eugene, by 5 sons, and 5 daughters, by 42 grandchildren, and 65 great-grandchildren. Sons and daughters listed in birth order are; Eugene S. Fairbanks, San Diego, California; Suzanne F. Weller, Silverdale, Washington; Lenore F. Frodsham, Salt Lake City, Utah; Mary A. F. Gammenthaler, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Marcus A. Fairbanks, Bellingham, Washington; Peter N. Fairbanks, Lake Stevens, Washington; Christopher N. Fairbanks, Bellingham, Washington; Laura D. F. Tobin, Chatsworth, California; John L. Fairbanks, Bellingham, Washington; Virginia L. F. Johnson, Provo, Utah. She is justifiably proud of her 10 children and their accomplishments. During their childhood she was active in reading to them, encouraging education and music, and helping them develop living skills. Five sons earned the Eagle Scout award. Her daughters also had similar achievement in youth organizations. All have attended college and most have post graduate degrees. Two sons served missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She was active in Latter-Day Saint Church activities and has taught in the church Primary program. During her childrens youth, many visits were made to her parents home as well as her brother and sisters homes, maintaining close family ties. Other travels enjoyed were to parks in the western states and Canada. Favorite outings included Washington ocean beaches, of La Push and Grayland. Besides county and state attractions, she and Eugene enjoyed tours to the Galapagos Islands, Yucatan Peninsula and the maritime providences of Canada. She had enjoyed many visits and communications with her family in recent years and the extended family will miss her grateful and cheerful responses. During the past year, all of her children were able to make visits to her side, and all 5 of her daughters were able to have extended involvement in her homecare. The family expresses thanks to the doctors and staff of the Mount Baker Kidney Center, St. Joseph Hospital, and others involved in her care. Farewell Tribute Information A memorial service is planned for January 4, 2014 at the James St. LDS chapel at 11:00am.

Florence Sundwall Fairbanks

September 21, 1923 - November 30, 2013