Obituary: Theo Charline (Gudmundson) Jumisko Hull

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Theo Charline

(Gudmundson) Jumisko Hull

January 21, 1934–January 14, 2021

 

Theo passed peacefully from congestive heart failure on January 14, 2021, after watching the beautiful morning sunrise with her daughter Julie and son-in-law Mike, holding her hands. Theo’s sense of humor, positive outlook, beautiful smile and giver of the best hugs ever will be missed by all.

Theo was born on December 21, 1934 to Emil and Olive Gudmundson in Blaine. Born the fifth of seven children, she grew up in a large, boisterous family that loved to laugh, a trait Theo held her entire life and passed on to her children. Theo loved to reminisce and share stories about her childhood, especially stories about growing up on a farm. She always held that connection and was a farm girl at heart.

After graduating from Blaine High School in 1953, Theo began working at the ABC Family Theater. In the spring of 1954 while stationed at the Blaine Air Force Station, Chuck Jumisko went in to see a movie and met Theo. They were married July 31. They lived briefly in California before moving to Bellevue. Their dream of becoming parents came true in 1965 when Jeff was born, then Julie in 1967. Theo was a homemaker in the truest sense of the word. She and Chuck thought it was important for her to be a stay-at-home Mother, raising their kids. Together they built a warm, fun, loving, unconditional home not only for their children, but for all who entered. Chuck passed away in 1975.

At a high school reunion in 1978, Theo was reacquainted with her first love, Barrie Hull and after some smooth talking by Barrie, she moved back to Blaine in 1979 after they wed. They were married for 39 years until Barrie’s death in 2018.

Theo was a quiet but fierce advocator for things she felt strongly about. She co-founded the Bellingham chapter of PFLAG in the mid ’90s. Theo was a strong supporter of the Blaine community, as a business owner with her sister Norma Jean for several years in the ’80s, serving as Chamber secretary and volunteering at the Visitor Information Center for many years. She was nominated as Woman of the Year for Blaine in 1996. Theo grew up attending Free Church Unitarian, which she always considered “home.”  She was on the church board, participated in choir and served the church and its congregation in many other ways through the years.  Theo loved meeting new people of all ages and learning about them, always leaving them with a lasting impression.

Theo is survived by her son, Jeff (Jaime Calitto) Jumisko; daughter Julie (Mike) Schrader and his sons Tim and Chris; sisters June Vaughn, Norma Jean Bakarich and Lorene Meck;  brother Bud (Anita) Gudmundson, many nieces, nephews and many, many friends.  Her sisters Esther Pedersen and Margaret Rutherford passed in 1998.

In memory of Theo, hug your loved ones, laugh and practice kindness daily. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Free Church Unitarian, 1218 Harrison Ave Blaine, WA 98230.

A special Thank You to Graham Meeks, NP at Peace Health Cardiology for his compassionate care the past two years.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date so all can attend. Please share your memories and photos of Theo at sigsfuneralservices.com. Upcoming notifications for celebration plans will be posted there.


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