Marilyn Bonita Buckenmeyer

Born April 13, 1936 in Auburn, Indiana; passed away on July 19, 2019 in Bellingham, Washington. One of 14 children, she was preceded in death by her parents Donald Ivan and Evelyn Amelia Pomeroy, and her brothers: Jerry Pomeroy, Deryl Pomeroy, Eldon Pomeroy, Thurman Pomeroy, Mack Pomeroy, Frank Pomeroy, Don Pomeroy; and sisters: Cheryl Willard, Carol Huisman. She is survived by her children, Fred Buckenmeyer (Deana Elliot), Dianna Gay (Bob), Camille Knutsen, and Karen Buckenmeyer; her 2 dogs Hank and Noira, who she treated like humans; her grandchildren, Nicole (Gene) Fisher, Jacob (Emily) Buckenmeyer, Sarah (Lucas) Lusier, Robert (Heather) Gay, Samuel (Samantha) Gay, Janna (Justin) Gay, Justin Burner, Carissa (Brandon) Schaeffer, Molly Knutsen, Cory Kehoe, Jessica Kehoe; her great-grandchildren, Beckett and Raylan Fisher, Thomas Buckenmeyer, Lucianna and LJ Lusier, Jace and Lily Knutsen; two sisters, Margaret Barnholt and Judy Bremer; and two brothers, Samuel Pomeroy and Pat Pomeroy. She was a Proud, Formidable, Feisty, Fearless, Strong, Independent, Hardworking, Tireless Woman who answered to No One. She was born in Auburn, Indiana and traveled West, at approximately age 8, with her family where they settled in Northern Whatcom County on the Heady Rd. Mom spent many years working as a waitress at the Frosty Inn in Maple Falls, serving breakfast and lunch to the log truck drivers. In the late 1970’s she was one of the first women to go to work at Georgia Pacific. She drove forklift there, better than any man, for over 20 years until she retired. She always loved exercise. In her younger years, she could be found on the living room floor exercising with Jack LaLanne. This evolved into riding her bicycle for miles, sometimes 20 miles from east of Everson to GP. Other times all over town with her grandson Cory in his seat on the back of her bicycle. Or she could be found riding with various grandchildren together on their bicycles as they explored Bellingham. In her early fifties, she broke her wrist roller blading around Bellingham. Later in life, she calmed down to only walking her dog(s) for 4 or 5 miles a day, picking out the best alleys in the neighborhood for gleaning fruits that were hanging over the neighbors fences. She loved to read and she loved music. She was always an avid supporter of whatever music endeavor her children wanted to engage in. One of her favorite pastimes was watching the Mariners and Seahawks with her Grandson, Cory. Often with several outbursts of colorful language if the umpires or referees didn’t make the correct call. In fact, most of her grandchildren would attribute any cuss words they know, as having learned it from “granny”. Her yard and flowers were her pride and joy and the envy of her neighborhood. She was mowing her own lawn well into her 80’s and spent countless hours in her flower beds, weeding, watering and talking to her plants. We will definitely miss the big family dinners at all the holidays. We would all gather in her very small house until we could hardly move, the noise reaching all the way into the street. Many of us will certainly miss the odd and eccentric gifts we received from her as adults. She always had a knack for finding the unusual. Please join us for a memorial and sharing of “Marilyn” aka “Granny” stories on August 30th 2019 at 1:00 pm in the reception room at Moles Farewell Tributes at 2465 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham. Please do not wear black. Flowery prints were her favorite. In lieu of flowers, may we suggest donations to the ARC of Whatcom County.

Marilyn Bonita Buckenmeyer

April 13, 1936 - July 19, 2019