Dorothy Mae Bunker's Obituary
Dorothy Mae Bunker
Dorothy Mae Bunker, 94, passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of January 9, 2014 after a long and happy life. At the time of her passing she was living in Legacy House Assisted Living Center in Logan, Utah near her daughter
Lorraine and husband Lindsey Burton and their children and grandchildren.
Dorothy was born in Great Falls, Montana, on July 31, 1919, to William “Elmer” and Daisy Wilson. She attended early school years in Great Falls with her
older sister Mary Alice and her cousins; and graduated from high school
in Kalispell, Montana, where her family had moved "to live in the
country."
Dorothy married John L. Bunker in Spokane, Washington in September
of 1942. The couple later moved to a beach cabin in Seabeck, Washington,
while John was serving in the Navy in Bremerton. They moved back to Great Falls, Montana in 1946 where they lived and raised their four children. As the children got older, Dorothy returned to the workforce and served for many years as secretary at Sacajawea Elementary School – a position she loved. In 1969 the family moved to Lakewood, Washington so that Dorothy could be near her mother and sister. During that time she worked in the audiovisual department at Clover Park School.
When John preceded her in death in February of 1977, Dorothy moved to Steilacoom, Washington where she resided until moving to Utah in 2004. She was an active and devoted member of United Church in University Place near Steilacoom where she served as the church photographer and had many close friends.
Dorothy had lifelong passions for writing, dancing and learning. Her love affair with dance began as a child while being serenaded to the music of her father’s fiddle and her sister on the piano. Her passion for reading, journaling and writing (particularly children’s stories) offers insight into her heart and soul. She also loved gardening and filling her landscape with beautiful flowers and wonderful vegetables wherever she lived.
She is survived by her children and their spouses: Linda and Stephen Black,
Bozeman, MT; Kerry and Sheri Bunker, Lebanon, TN; and Lorraine and Lindsey Burton, Logan, UT. She was preceded in death by her husband John and son David Bunker (Linda Shipley).
Dorothy was a devoted wife and loving mother who had many wonderful memories of times with her 4 children and 10 grandchildren (David and Aaron; Jami and Jodi; Kjersten; Scott, Chelsea, Jay, Kimberlee, and John) She was also blessed with 20 great-grandchildren (and counting).
A memorial service is planned during the summer of 2014 at University Church
in Washington.
What’s your fondest memory of Dorothy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Dorothy?
Share a story where Dorothy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Dorothy you’ll never forget.
How did Dorothy make you smile?