Yvonne M. Dunbar's Obituary
Born of French immigrants: Jules and Leone Baron in 1921, Yvonne grew up on an 80 acre farm in rural Bremer, Washington.
Brought into this world in a time of the model-T Ford, with Warren Harding as President of the United States, before “talking” movies, before television and well before rockets went to the moon, she enjoyed the life of a farm girl with her faithful companion, her dog Jeff. Before hydro-electric dams blocked migration of fish, she plucked salmon from the creek that ran through the property.
Yvonne lived through the time of the Great Depression, World War II, and other lean times. Those experiences, and with old-world French parents who valued hard work and discipline, Yvonne was no doubt shaped by her upbringing.
Although her childhood was not necessarily easy, it was filled with being close to nature, various farm animals, caring parents, and good home-cooked food. There were also occasional get-togethers in the farmhouse in which she was born, that featured music from a very old accordion and a RCA cylinder phonograph. The latter of which she kept and cherished throughout her life. Sadly she was to lose her father, the man that sang French songs to her while riding in their horse-drawn wagon, when he was just 44 years of age.
Yvonne graduated Morton High School where she played clarinet in the Morton High Marching Band. After high school she completed her business college studies and became a book keeper for firms in Tacoma, Washington.
Knowing her future husband since their early teens, she married her long-time Morton acquaintance Donald Daugherty. The two raised three children, Anita, JoAnne, and Donald Jr.
Yvonne forged her way through life’s challenges with amazing persistence. After losing her husband Don to an untimely early death in 1976 she found herself alone. Some eight years later life took a turn for the better, meeting a wonderful man named, Quintn Dunbar. She and Quintin became good friends, with Quintin eventually asking her to marry. The two were married and enjoyed several years of spending time with their newly expanded families and traveling throughout the States. They also made their way to France.
But, as life would have it… in the spring of 2000 Quintin, succumbed to cancer. Once again, and with determination of will and help from her family, she carried on.
Yvonne was a woman of faith, tuning in to her favorite gospel television shows on Sunday mornings. She was meticulous with keeping things in order, keeping her home tidy, and she enjoyed a well-groomed garden. She very much enjoyed and loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Who among us will live to be a centenarian? We can never say. Consider the changes Yvonne saw in her century on this earth. We can only hope that we’re blessed with good health, food to eat, a home to shelter us, and that we might also marvel at the changes to come.
In the end, it’s the small things in life that make the difference. By circumstance or by choice, Yvonne lived a simple life. With all who were close to Yvonne, her example of determination and devotion to family will live on.
What’s your fondest memory of Yvonne?
What’s a lesson you learned from Yvonne?
Share a story where Yvonne's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Yvonne you’ll never forget.
How did Yvonne make you smile?
