Geraldine (Gerry) Lois Bullard of Mount Vernon, Wash., and Oak Harbor, died at the age of 79 on Tuesday at Mira Vista Care Center, Mount Vernon.

Gerry was born Aug. 8, 1932, to Walter and Adele (Sibke) Trippel in Indianapolis, Ind. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and belonged to a Lutheran church all her life.

Gerry attended elementary school at Queens 101 in New York and graduated from Forest Hills High School, Forest Hills, N.Y., in June 1950. She then moved to California where she married Larry Bullard.

They had four children and lived in various cities in Southern California. They divorced in 1978. Ramona, Calif., was where she raised her children and worked for the school district before moving to Oak Harbor in 1988.

Gerry worked in secretarial/accounting positions and retired from Island County Senior Services.

Gerry took pride in her volunteer work with Ramona Food and Clothes Closet, various non-profits and church organization groups. She also enjoyed traveling, reading, playing poker and Bingo was her passion, especially when she had friends or family join her.

Gerry is survived by her children, Kurt (Sue) Bullard, Monument, Colo., Walter Bullard, Oak Harbor, Kimberly (Michael) Huechteman, Frisco, Tex., Michelle Greenwell and fiance Kerry Strand, Fargo, N.D.; six grandchildren, Tiffany (Chuck) Evenson, Algona, Wash., Brian Bullard, Valencia, Calif., Joseph and Steven Greenwell, Fargo, N.D., and Nathan and Alexandra Huechteman, Frisco, Texas; and two great-grandsons, Spencer and Devin Evenson, Algona, Wash.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother.

Her family wishes to thank Summerhill Living Center, Oak Harbor, and Mira Vista Care Center, Mount Vernon, for caring for Gerry in her last four years with us. Most of all thank Ray and Carroll Jorgensen for being our family “angel” and being with our mom when we were unable. Their presence was a true blessing and we are eternally grateful!

Funeral services were held Aug. 29 at Concordia Lutheran Church, Oak Harbor.

Interment of her ashes at sea will be in a private ceremony by her family.

Arrangements are being done through Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.