BOMBER MEMORIAL

ROBERTA LEE "BOBBIE" GILSTRAP GARRICK ~ Class of 1972
March 6, 1954 - August 3, 2014

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Bobbie, 60, passed away from complications of MS on August 3, 2014, with her husband at her side. She was born on March 6, 1954, in Seattle to Robert and Nancy Gilstrap.

Bobbie was raised in Richland and graduated from Richland's Columbia High School in 1972. She also attended Columbia Basin Community College where she received training in nursing and became a registered nurse.

During Bobbie's 34-year career as an ER nurse at Mason General Hospital, she was devoted to sharing her knowledge and giving her patients the best care possible, regardless of who they were or their social status. She was always an advocate for her patients.

When not working, Bobbie loved being at home in her little log cabin at Spencer Lake, which was filled with her beautiful African violets and Christmas cactuses. She enjoyed nature and watching all of the wildlife around her home, whether it be the many different kinds of birds or the deer nibbling on her flowers and shrubs. She loved to can a variety of fruits and vegetables, always sharing them with friends and family. Bobbie was a "Hot Rod" girl at heart and had many in the last 30+ years. She also loved cats, especially her 25-pound Maine Coon, "Moxie".

Her greatest joys in life were her nine grandchildren. She always looked forward to spending time with them, even though those times were limited due to her medical condition. She was most happy when she could hear their laughter and see them having fun while at the lake.

Bobbie was preceded in death by her parents.

Bobbie is survived by her husband, Roger; her daughter Laurie (Raymond) Zinn; her son Rodgar (Jodene) Garrick; siblings: Margaret Gilstrap O'Hara ('74), Cathy ('75) (Oscar) Couto, Gil Gilstrap ('79), and Jerry ('83)(Alison) Gilstrap; her aunt Lynda Turner, and her nine grandchildren: Jakeob, Shelbie, Hallee, Alberto, Adriana, Cailyn, Steven, Brittany, and Johan.

The family wishes to give special thanks to Dr. Harry Griffith and his wife Shelly for their many years of care and ongoing friendship, to Dale Johnston, Bobbie's "best friend" and co-worker, who not only gave her great care but always held her hand through thick and thin, and to all of the caregivers from Providence Hospice, especially Melissa and Donna, who also took loving care of Bobbie. Bobbie's wish to live at home until the end of her life was made possible because of these giving friends and professionals.

The world has lost a very special soul; there is a huge void with the loss of Bobbie's spirit and compassion.

At her request, there will be no service.

Memorial donations can be made to Mason General Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 1668, Shelton, WA 98584-5001.

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