GAYE WILBUR

Gaye Wilbur, of La Conner, died peacefully at home with her loving husband and family by her side on Tuesday, October 28. She was 74 years old.

Gaye was born on October 25, 1940 to Clifford and Inez Gilbertson of Sedro-Woolley, where she was raised. She graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School in 1958 and attended Skagit Valley College for two years.

Gaye married her childhood sweetheart in 1958; they were together as a couple for 61 years. They met at the skating rink in Burlington and were a premier dance skating couple.

Gaye was a master seamstress, making clothes for her family and running a successful kitchen accessory business. She was a homemaker, who enjoyed family time with her husband, children and grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling and was an avid reader of novels of all genres, particularly historical romance and time travel. She liked to go skiing, teaching her husband to play golf and was an avid bowler. She loved animals — especially cats and horses. She was a very supportive mother and loving wife, who unselfishly passed on essential life skills and teachings to her children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father, Clifford Gilbertson; her mother, Inez Gilbertson; and her Aunt Glady’s Rhinestein, all of Sedro-Woolley.

Gaye is survived by her husband, Vincent Wilbur; her son and daughter-in-law Brian and Trisha Wilbur of La Conner; her daughter and son-in-law Kathy and Greg Douglas of Anacortes; her grandsons, Corey Wilbur and Jared Douglas; her granddaughter Kelci Douglas; her step-grandsons Gary Ellis and Jon Ellis; her great-grandsons, Elan Wilbur and Jaxon Ellis; her great-granddaughter, Crystal Ellis; her cousins, Joanna and Chuck Prunty and their children, Brenda, Debbie, Diana, Don, Jim and Joe Prunty.

A prayer service was held Friday at the St. Paul Church on the Swinomish Reservation followed by a celebration of Gaye’s life Saturday at the Swinomish Social Services Building.

You may share memories and offer Gaye’s family your condolences online at http://www.kernfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home of Mount Vernon.