Leona Margaret Bulger, age 90 of Bush Point, Whidbey Island, passed away July 19, 2010 at Stevens Memorial Hospital due to natural causes.

Leona, one of seven children, was born March 5, 1920 in Bellingham to Maud and Clyde Gilbert. Leona grew up on Orcas Island where she graduated from Orcas Island High School in 1937.

While in high school she excelled in band, where she played the clarinet, as well as in the drama club, dance club, and swim and basketball teams. As well as school, she worked full-time for Robert Moran, the famous ship builder, whose home is now Rosario resort.

After graduation Leona moved to Portland, Ore. Here she found employment as a telephone operator for Ma Bell.

After a few years she moved to Seattle where she worked at City Light as a phone operator until 1950, when she married Jack Bulger on June 10. They recently celebrated their 60th anniversary. Prior to living on Whidbey Island they resided at 938 N. 86th St. in Seattle for 32 years.

Leona was blessed with an appreciation of God’s work. She loved to grow flowers, plants, trees, and to have a garden to plant her own food. She loved to walk on a beach or in the woods, or enjoy a beautiful day of fishing.

Good food was her passion and she was an excellent chef because of it. She loved to entertain and you never left her house without having something to eat.

Leona’s other interests included playing bingo, going to the casino to play the slot machines or a friendly card game with everyone. Animals were her soft spot and she had many cats and dogs through out her life that she loved very much.

Leona is survived by son Wayne; grandchildren Danielle and Brian; sisters Dorothy and Katherine; and the large family of nieces and nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jack, brothers Lynn and Joe Gilbert, sisters Erma Gilbert and Martha Bratsberg.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 31 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 18341 Highway 525, Freeland.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library, 2021 Ninth Ave., Seattle, WA 98129 in memory of Leona Bulger.

Wayne would like to extend his deepest thanks to all of you who have helped and cared for his mother during her time of need.