Gladys P. Bunker

Gladys McGillivray Bunker slipped from this world on September 2, 2012, at the young age of 96 years and ten months, lovingly embraced and surrounded by her family. She arrived on November 3, 1915 in Burke County, North Dakota, number nine of 14 children born to William and Lillie McGillivray. Growing up with 11 sisters and 3 brothers, she learned from a very early age that family was her center. She graduated from Kenmare High School in 1933. In 1936 she met and married Arthur Dale Bunker who became her cherished husband, best friend, confidant and companion for the next 66 years. While in North Dakota they were blessed with 3 sons, Allan, Lee and Gene. Moving to Washington, they landed in Nooksack, close to family, and added Sharon, their first little girl. In 1947 they moved to Laurel and the house that Gladys would live in for the rest of her life. Finally settled, they added one more daughter, Kathy, and a final son Kent. We were fortunate that our mother was able to stay home and raise her children as a homemaker and wife. She had gardens each year with lots of canning and freezing in the fall to keep us all fed. Flowers were in abundance in her yard and we kids kept the weeds at bay. Baking was something she loved, and coming home from school you might be treated to hot homemade doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, bread or cookies. She was a lifetime member of the Laurel Grange, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, the Nooksack Advent Christian Church and later the Laurel Baptist Church, holding several offices in each and making life long friends. When her youngest started high school she went to work for the Alsop Corporation in Bellingham until she and Dale retired and began their years of travel, visiting as many states as possible, including Alaska. With trips to Canada and Mexico, they traveled 63,000 miles in their motor homes, spending winters in Arizona near friends and family. Family remained the center of our mother’s life. She and Dale cherished their children and their activities, from vacations to sports, plays and parades, recitals and graduation. When the grandchildren came along it was a bright new world for them. Each grand child was special and they treasured each moment spent with them. Great grandchildren were a major miracle to be adored. Dale and Gladys raised 4 sons and 2 daughters, and were blessed with 7 grandsons, 2 grand daughters, 6 great grandsons, and 1 great granddaughter. That would make a lopsided 17 boys and 5 girls that they loved equally. Gladys was preceded in death by her husband and an infant son Richard. She had attended the funerals of her parents, 12 brothers and sisters, 21 brothers and sisters-in-law as well as nephews and special friends. Her surviving family consists of her sons Allen and Gene Bunker of Laurel, Lee of Ferndale, and Kent and Linda of Bellingham, her daughters Sharon and Steve West of Lakebay and Kathy and Leo Christoffer of Burlington. Her grandchildren are James Bunker of Bellingham, Kelli and Todd Jerome of Aberlady, Scotland, Tod Bunker of Ferndale, Kerrington West of Lake Forest Park, Ryan and Kim Bunker of Lynden, Patrick and Sarah Christoffer of Heber City, Utah, Matthew and Heather Bunker of Everson, Nicholas and Morgan Christoffer of West Seattle and Brette and Wiley Coffin of Annandale, Virginia. Her great grandchildren are Jeremy Bunker, Carter and McMillan Jerome of Aberlady, Scotland, Tanna Benson of Lynden, and Owen, Caden and Reid Bunker of Everson. She is survived by her youngest sister Jessie McGillivray Ahrens of Bellingham and her sisters-in-law Ardis Bunker, Bellingham, Jean Miller, Phoenix, Arizona and Beulah Carmichael, Jackson, Tennessee. She leaves behind many wonderful nieces and nephews, each of which was very, very special to her. Gladys would like to thank Hospice of Whatcom Country for all their help and support, especially Carren, Sheila and Cheryl. An even bigger thank you needs to be said to Lisa Parker for her phenomenal end-of-life care that made it possible for us to keep Mom in her home where she felt most comfortable and loved. In lieu of flowers Mom would love you to send a donation in her name to Whatcom County Hospice or the Meridian Schools Foundation. She lived a long and productive life, filled with satisfaction and love. Thanks for the memories, Mom, and for your unconditional faith in each of us, for filling our lives with your values and for being there when we needed you. Keep smiling. A visitation will be held Monday, September 10th at Moles Farewell Tributes, Greenacres Chapel, 5700 Northwest Dr. in Ferndale from 1:30 p.m.- 2:30 p.m., followed by a graveside service at 2:30 p.m., followed by a 3:00 p.m. Memorial Service at Laurel Community Baptist Church, 162 West Laurel Road in Bellingham. Farewell Tribute Information A visitation will be held Monday, September 10th at Moles Farewell Tributes, Greenacres Chapel, 5700 Northwest Dr. in Ferndale from 1:30 p.m.- 2:30 p.m., followed by a graveside service at 2:30 p.m., followed by a 3:00 p.m. Memorial Service at Laurel Community Baptist Church, 162 West Laurel Road in Bellingham. Moles Farewell Tributes, Greenacres Memorial Park

Gladys P. Bunker

November 3, 1915 - September 2, 2012