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Garza, Michael Gomez

Michael Gomez Garza, of Ferndale passed away due to a motorcycle accident on Sunday, September 5, 2004 at Harborview Hospital in Seattle.  He was 26.  Michael was born in Sedro Woolley, WA. and was a graduate of Lynden High School.  He was a very active and fun loving young man.  He loved four-wheeling, camping, water skiing, golfing, and playing sports, especially basketball, football and baseball.  Michael loved music and enjoyed playing his drums.  he spent a lot of time hanging out with his cousins.  Michael was preceded in death by his grandfathers; Juan Garza Sr. and Juan Gomez Sr. and his grandmother, Gabriella Garza, as well as by his cousins; Annabel and George Garza.  He is survived by his mother Diane (Gerardo) Zepeda; father Juan Garza Jr.; brother Juan Jr. Garza; sister katrina D. Garza; sons Michael A. Garza and Gabriel Garza; daughter Hannah Garza; grandmother Ramona Gomez; nephew Damian Garza, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

The Bellingham Herald, September 2004

Gold, Irene Mary

Irene Mary Gold, of Bellingham, WA, died peacefully on April 27, 2007, in Anacortes, WA, at the age of 91.  Born to English parents, Thomas and Betha Gould, who immigrated to the United States, she was proud of being born in Brooklyn, NY, always cheered for the Brooklyn Dodgers and mourned their defection to Los Angeles.  She married Lt. Charles C. Gold, USN, in Long Beach, CA, in 1934.  As a navy wife, she cheerfully and efficiently gathered their household goods, children and a succession of dogs as they moved many times during his 30-year naval career.  With her husband, she enjoyed skeet shooting, golfing and fly-fishing.  She was a gifted cook and hostess whose home was always open to family and friends.  She loved music and theater, acted in little theater productions in Hawaii, where she also studied traditional hula, and read and wrote poetry.  Settling in Bellingham in 1963, she began a long and successful career in real estate.  She also taught courses in real estate and its ethics at Bellingham Community College.  She was a devoted member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church for 44 years where she sang alto in the choir.  For several years she was the volunteer choir director, studying liturgical music on her own to increase her skills.  One of the highlights of her spiritual life was a trip to the Holy Land with a group led by the late Father John Gibbs.  A member of the Chancel Guild, she toiled at the twice-yearly rummage sale and was sometimes its best customer.  She sang with the Whatcom Chorale and for many years hosted two talented string musicians during the Bellingham Music Festival.  For over ten years she journeyed with friends and family to the Ashland Shakespeare Festival for a week of high drama and some serious shopping.  Her health failed, but never her unquenchable spirit, her quick wit, or her sense of humor.  In October 2006, she moved to Anacortes to be closer to her daughter and to reside at San Juan Rehabilitation and Care Center, whose staff gave her loving and compassionate care.  Predeceased by her husband Charles in 1988, she is survived by her four children: April, Charles Jr., William and James, as well as seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.  Irene was an elegant woman, with her auburn hair, polished nails and a wisp of perfume.  She was the shining star in our family, bringing laughter and joy to those who knew her.  her family and a host of friends will miss her greatly.

The Bellingham Herald, May 27 2007

Gustafson, Opal
A graveside inurnment service for Opal Gustafson of Ferndale will be held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Blaine Cemetery, with the Rev. Heather Mordhorst officiating.
Mrs. Gustafson died Monday, Dec. 27, 1999. She was 88. Born Oct. 30, 1911, to John and Elizabeth (Radford) Roberts in Haselmere, B.C., she attended Fairhaven High School and earned a degree from Bellingham Nursing School in 1954. Mrs. Gustafson worked as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) at Pioneer Ridge and other nursing homes. Mrs. Gustafson was a lifetime member of Delta Grange and United Church of Ferndale and Ferndale Senior Center. Her hobbies included reading, sewing, crafts and clipping newspaper and magazine items. She loved recipes and sharing them with others.
Her husband, Clifford Gustafson, died previously. Survivors include sons Clifford A. Gustafson of Renton, Delbert Gustafson of Duval and Robert Gustafson of Louisville, Ky. daughters Elizabeth A. Evans of Bellingham, Susan E. Cassidy of Crescent City, Calif., and F. Christine Stone of Lake Havasu City, Ariz. sister Annable Inez Schimelphenning of Rock Falls, Ill. 19 grandchildren many great-grandchildren and four great great-grandchildren. In lieu of memorials, the family requests that individuals clip either a recipe or special article and give it to a friend. Arrangements are by Moles Funeral Home.

The Bellingham Herald, January 2000