Obituary

On Thursday, March 17th, 2016, Judith (Judi) Pomeroy (nee Burke) shook free of her earthly bounds. Peacefully, in the presence of her loving her family, she slipped gracefully from us. In true Mother fashion, she needed to go first to make sure everything will be ready for the rest of us!

All throughout her life Judi was a grower and nourisher of things and people. Born in Bremerton, Washington on December 3rd, 1943, she instantly enriched the lives of her adoptive parents, Hattie and Nels Burke. At the age of 17 she married the love of her life, Ed Pomeroy, and they embarked on their true life’s journey, raising 4 children and a farm. Either of these tasks alone would have been a momentous challenge, but together they took a woman of extraordinary strength, commitment, and love.

This was our Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, and friend. Truly one of God’s Angels, her first concern was always for others. The joy of others was her joy. Judi brightened the day of everyone she met (sometimes just by the bedazzled hats, funky sunglasses, or other shiny “Bling Bling” she loved to wear!) She carefully cultivated beautiful flowers in front of the family home, and accentuated them with multicolored lamppost lights and esoteric and some might say eclectic decorations, so the home was always a visual manifestation of her bright and engaging personality. You could never be sure just what you would see pulling in the driveway!

Judi was also very active in the Peace Arch Chapter of the American Business Woman’s Association, and was named the Chapter Woman of The Year in 1995. She was a past trustee for many years with the Whatcom County Old Settler’s Association.

One of Judi’s favorite things was being a steady, uplifting current to those she loved. On each Grandchild’s 16th birthday she gave them a CD with one of her favorite songs “I hope you dance” on it. It embodied her spirit of living life fully, with no regrets, and it was one of her timeless gifts of encouraging them to always reach higher, dance like your hair was on fire, and laugh along the way. The annual Old Settler’s dance in Ferndale was one of her highlights of the year, as the whole family gathered together and did exactly that!

As Judi faced declining health over the last 5 years, she took all challenges as she always had, head on with determination and grit (some may even say Hard-Headedness!).

Judi was our light, our beacon on dark days, and our lighthouse to safe harbors.

Judi was preceded in death by her father, Nels Burke, and Mother, Hattie Burke. She is survived by her husband, Ed Pomeroy of Custer, Brother Daryl Burke and wife Illis of Bellevue, daughter Coreianne Gullikson of Custer, Daughter Tiffene Hanson and Husband John Hatfield of Custer, Son Todd Pomeroy and Wife Laurie of Boston, MA, and Son Chris Pomeroy and wife Lisa of Custer. She is also survived by Grandchildren Matt, Lynsei, Kurt, Brad, Tuesday, Tara, Madeleine, Isabella, Chyenne, Sophia, and Scout, and 3 Great-Grandchildren.

Graveside Services to be held on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at Enterprise Cemetery at 2 PM, followed by a Celebration of Life at 3:00 PM AT The United Church of Ferndale, located at 2034 Washington Street, Ferndale, Washington.

In lieu of flowers, as a reflection of Judi’s love of children, donations in Judi’s name to the Custer Elementary School Children’s Fund at U.S Bank account number 153567877672 is suggested.