Claudia Burns
Her funeral will be held at 10AM, March 22nd at Sacred Heart Church in Fairhaven. A celebration of her life will follow at Broadway Hall, 1300 Broadway in Bellingham.
Claudia A Burns was born in Penetanguishene, Ontario, Canada on April 17 1940. She grew up in Midland, Ontario until she was 18. She loved playing sports. She played goalie in hockey, and enjoyed playing baseball.
She married James Bautista of the US Marine Corps in 1959, and moved to Quantico VA, where they had 2 children, Matthew and Julie.
The military lifestyle moved Claudia and her family through bases in Virginia, Hawaii, California, Canada, South Carolina, Hawaii again and finally Washington State, where she lived the remainder of her life.
Claudia worked as a sheet metal worker at ELDEC in Bothell, WA making aviation parts, including components of the space shuttle. She liked to bake, crochet and was an avid bowler, bowling in leagues and tournaments in the Everett area (her recent friends may know this by her love of Wii bowling). It must also be said that she loved elephants!
She is preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, James Bautista and Thomas Burns. She is survived by her children, Matthew and Julie, her twin brother Harry, sisters Verna and Nola, brother Lionel and seven grand children.
In her short time in Bellingham she made many friends. Claudia became a pillar of strength as friends and acquaintances witnessed her battle with dialysis, Parkinsons, getting her right arm amputated, and finally calciphylaxis (a rare disease that is a symptom of the end stages of renal failure). Through all of these and other ‘minor ailments’ along the way, she held her head up high and refused to give in and complained of her ‘condition’ very little.
Our family would like to send a very special "Thank You" to the staff and residents at Parkway Chateau, Mt Baker Care Center, Emeritus, and Mt Baker Kidney Center. You all made the sunset of her life happy and easy.
A funeral mass will be held for her at Sacred Heart Church in Fairhaven on March 22nd at 10:00 AM. Feel free to join us as we celebrate her life at the Broadway Hall shortly afterward.
You are and always will be an inspiration. Love you mom.
Memories
From Clay Butler
I had the honor of sharing my love of the Appalachian mountain dulcimer with Claudia. She was a quick and enthusiastic learner. Though challenged by formidable health challenges during the time I knew her, she was always cheerful and optimistic. Her spirit was awesome. I shall miss her very much!
From Will Knocker
I never met "Bunka" as she was fondly known by her four granchildren, children of Julie, her daughter. But as an obviously beloved mother & grandmother, I admired Bunka, whom I believe came from Welsh, French Canadian & Ojibwa Canadian roots. We will always remember you our dear Bunka......with much love from Will (son-in-law) in Kenya.
From Markis Stidham
It was a always a genuine pleasure to keep company w/ Claudia , since it was always coincident with grand family celebrations.
She loved her family very much , and was always so happy , and proud to be there. She made me feel like family.She was a very sweet woman.
My heart aches for her family , and my arms are around all of you.
With great love , and respect ,
-Uncle Markis
From Laurel
I am a physical therapist who had the privilege of working with Claudia. She is one of the patients that I always looked forward to seeing. She was a fighter & an inspiration. I will remember her fondly. My thoughts go out to her family.
From Mary
My deepest condolences for your loss. The Bible promises at Psalm 37:29, "The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it." One day soon, man's enemy, death will be gone forever. Look forward to the time when you will be able to enjoy companionship with Claudia once again! Take comfort in the fact that your dear loved one is no longer suffering.- (Ecclesiastes 9:5,10)
From Tony Reed
My thoughts are with your family.
From Evie Thomas
Dear Matthew,
My deepest condolences for your loss.
I know how hard it is to lose a mother.
My thoughts are with you and your family.
From Liz
Matt,
We are so sad. You, Julie and kids are in our thoughts and hearts. Claudia was a wonderful, caring, & strong person. We loved how she always had open arms and a huge heart. We feel blessed to have been part of her life.
With love,
Doug, Liz, TJ & Amber
Add new comment