Roberta Lee McCord

Roberta Lee McCord went home to be with the Lord on February 13, 2017. A loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Roberta will be deeply missed by her husband, family, and friends. They all feel forever blessed by her love and her life. Her unbelievable smile, warm heart, kindness, energy, undeniable hugs, and her enthusiasm for life itself and helping others touched all who knew her. The time she gave of herself to her husband, children, grandchildren, and others will be cherished for a lifetime and the memories of family gatherings and holidays that she poured her heart and soul into will be held close to their hearts always. Roberta was born on October 9, 1936 at Ravenswood hospital in Chicago, IL to Roy Hugo and Rosebud Augusta Krueger. Due to her father’s health they moved to Tucson, AZ for a warmer climate. There she was elected a member of the National Honor Society of Secondary Schools and graduated with honors from Amphitheater Senior High May 28, 1954.While in Arizona, she found her love for horseback riding and spent most of her time riding her horses; they were fond memories of hers as she shared these stories often. Before becoming a resident of Bellingham, WA for over 50 years, Roberta also lived in Albuquerque, NM, Watertown, SD, and Bremerton, WA where she mostly worked in radio, sales, and executive secretarial positions. In Bellingham, Roberta was Station Manager of Harbor Airlines from 1972-1978 and was also appointed superintendent of stations for the State of Washington. At this time, she was also volunteering for Whatcom County Visitors and Convention Bureau which led her to leave Harbor Airlines in 1978 to become Executive Vice President and manager of the 4th Corner Visitors and Convention Bureau from 1978-1981. She also served on the board of directors of the Washington Convention Bureau Managers Association. She was chosen one of five for a committee to fly to Detroit, MI to present programs to compete for the All American City Award in 1980, an award Bellingham won that year. Roberta was also active in the Whatcom County development council and the Alaska Ferry Task Force; her fund raising and contributions helped play a key role in the Alaska Ferry coming to Bellingham. She loved Bellingham and worked hard and enthusiastically in her contributions for our community and its growth. Most recently Roberta was a Real Estate Assistant for REMAX of Whatcom County. Although she had her real estate license, she was completely content assisting her husband. On June 4, 1983 Roberta married the love of her life and soul mate, Chuck R. McCord on their boat in Inati Bay, Lummi Island. They were inseparable and in love to the end. Their love for each other was beautiful; it was seen and felt by all especially when they were out on the water or on the dance floor, two of their favorite places where they undoubtedly shined together. Roberta enjoyed boating, dancing, singing, horseback riding, skiing, gardening, crafts, and volunteering for numerous organizations. She was a member of St James Presbyterian Church, Agapy Fellowship, Daughters of the Nile and Zenobia Club, BYC member and First Mates, Partnership Susan G. Komen Foundation, Commanders Club member of Disabled American Veterans, President of the Sea Scouts SES Discovery, Demolay Parents Club Chuckanut Chapter, den mother Boy Scouts of America and Bluebird leader, campfire leader, and candy chairman for Campfire Girls of America. Roberta is survived by her loving husband of 34 years, Chuck R. McCord, her children Glen Swenson (Laurie) of Bellingham, WA, Nick Solberg (Laurie) of Bellingham, and Roxanne Schwarz (Robert Edwards) of Bellingham, Matt McCord (Kim) of Brighton, MI, and Tammi Stewart (Gordon) of Surrey, BC. She also leaves behind grandchildren Chad Swenson (Jessica), Kyle Swenson, Brittany Marjanovic (Nik), Aubrie Todhunter, Alex and Eric Solberg, Kegan Schwarz, Collin Stewart (Nikki), Kyle Stewart, Michael, Ryan, and Meghan McCord, as well as great-grandchildren Conner and Jordan Swenson and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father Roy Hugo Krueger, her mother Rosebud Augusta Krueger, and her daughter Jodi Lynn Todhunter. The family wishes to give special thanks to the staff at Spring Creek Memory Care for the love and care they gave to Roberta and for the continued care and support they give to Chuck, especially in this difficult time. The world has lost a very special woman but Heaven has welcomed a dear and special angel who will be with us in our hearts forever. As were the words she carried with her daily, “To be loved as to love, for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in dying that we are born into eternal life”- St Francis of Assisi. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 18 at 3:30 PM at Christ Community Church – 4600 Guide Meridian Bellingham, WA. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association of WA.

Roberta Lee McCord

October 9, 1936 - February 13, 2017