Carolyn D. Burt's Obituary
Carolyn Diane Burt was born April 29, 1948 to Robert R. Burt, M.D, and Lorna G Burt in Tacoma, Washington. She had a sister, Betty, and brother; James (preceded her in death). She died unexpectedly at her home in Lacey, WA in the early morning of June 28, 2020. Carolyn lived most of her life in Lakewood and Tacoma, WA, graduating from Clover Park High School with honors in 1966. She then went on to the University of Puget Sound where she took Art and French, including a year studying in France. She was in the Class of 1970 and a member of the Pi Phi sorority, which still has reunions each year. She achieved a double Masters degree in French and school administration. Carolyn married Bruce Bondy and they adopted infants Scott (Bondy) and Jeannette (Tackett).
Carolyn’s career in education spanned 16 years, including Vice Principal at McKnight middle school, and she retired as a 5th grade teacher at Glacier Park Elementary in Maple Valley, WA. She met Chuck Gourley of Lacey, WA at “singles dances” sponsored by United Singles in Olympia and Singles Resource Center of Tacoma, and after lots of dancing and singing karaoke, they were married in 2007. They operated the Proctor Art Gallery in Tacoma from 2008 through 2016.
2016 was a challenging year, as Carolyn bravely fought breast cancer, chemotherapy, a broken back and a total of 4 back surgeries, plus Chuck had a stroke in the middle of all that. In 2018, they moved to Lacey, WA where Carolyn joined Splash Gallery in Olympia, WA. Carolyn was a very accomplished artist in acrylics, pastels, drawing and scratchboard. She won ribbons at the State Fair, Thurston County Fair and Southwest Washington Fair. During their thirteen years of marriage, Carolyn and Chuck traveled extensively to Mexico, Hawaii, New England, Tennessee, and 17 cruises to places like Alaska, Mexico, Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Travelling and “just doing things” provided a memorable retirement for the couple with lots of mental and physical memories.
Those activities provided a backdrop for this couple’s “golden years.” Carolyn was still reaching for more challenges when she was abruptly taken from us, leaving scores of shocked friends and grieving family members. She was a long time member of the L.D.S. Church. Carolyn is survived by her 100-year-old mother, Lorna Burt of Olympia, her sister Betty Moses (Gary) of Mexico, her husband, Chuck Gourley, her daughter, Jeannette Tackett, granddaughter Emma Tackett of Tacoma, son Scott Bondy and his children, Chase and Camille of Tacoma, stepson Robin Gourley (Virginia) of Fairbanks, and stepdaughter Janice Frederick (Dave) of Olympia.
Carolyn will be entombed July 8, 2020 in a private ceremony for family at the Mt. View Memorial Park Lakewood. Notice will be sent out as soon as a celebration service is allowed in Olympia.
Share your memories of Carolyn and condolences to the family by visiting the tribute wall.
Carolyn will be laid to rest in a private committal ceremony at Mountain View Memorial Park, Lakewood, Washington.
To ensure the health and safety of our community, we are following all guidelines set by local, state and CDC officials. Please contact the funeral home with any questions and we encourage friends and families to check back for service updates.
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