Norma Claire McDonald Baer

Norma Claire McDonald Baer was born Nov. 15th, 1928 in Lynden, WA to Leona and Vernon Hawley. She passed away on Nov. 16th, one day after her 88th birthday. She was at Louisa Place in Ferndale, with her daughter and husband by her side. She is survived by her husband, Howard Baer, her daughter, Marcia and husband, Gary Anderson, her son Gary McDonald, her stepson James and daughter-in-law Carol McDonald. She has four grandchildren; Tyler (Kolleen) Ellingboe, Travis (Darcy) Ellingboe, Julie McDonald and Scott McDonald. She also has three great-grandchildren: Zander, Anna and Erin Ellingboe. Norma is also survived by brothers Jim (Bonnie) Hawley and Bill (Claire) Hawley. Norma is predeceased by her parents Leona and Vern Hawley, her brother Leo Hawley, and her husband Jerry McDonald. Norma was blessed to live her childhood on Lummi Island and would spend summers working on Aunt Nellie and Uncle Herbert's big farm in Stanwood. She also spent most of her married life with Jerry McDonald on Lummi Island. When her daughter Marcia and family moved to Anchorage, Alaska in 1977, Norma and Jerry drove up there to spend summers and never missed a summer until Jerry passed away in 1992. She married Howard Baer in 1994 and they continued their yearly trips to Alaska, and also winter trips to Yuma, Arizona. Norma was, and always will be, the love of Howard's life. Norma loved to fish, play Bingo, Pokeno and gamble. She also spent lots of time shopping at Goodwill. She was a beautiful lady inside and out, and will remain near to our hearts forever. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, November 22nd, at Woodlawn Cemetery, 5977 Northwest Dr, Ferndale, at 2 p.m. The family asks that donations be made to Whatcom Hospice as a thank you for their loving care of Norma. See online obituary and guestbook at wcremation.com.