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Phoebe-Jean Fulmer Obituary

Phoebe-Jean MacCaughey Fulmer, age 89, died peacefully at home on January 6, 2013, surrounded by loving family. Born on August 9, 1923, Phoebe-Jean was the beloved daughter of Vaughan and Janet Brooker MacCaughey, the youngest of their six children; sister to Hamilton, Matilda, Horace, Patricia, and Nancy. Growing up in Berkeley, CA, Phoebe met the love of her life, David Ellis Fulmer, at the First Congregational Church of Berkeley when she was 15. Dave and Phoebe married four years later, on August 13, 1944, and celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in 2009. Phoebe suffered the loss of her husband in October, 2009 after a long illness. They have five children, Janis Chambers of Eagle River, AK, Mark Fulmer of Sacramento, CA, Claudia Morray of Dover, MA, Lindsay Fulmer of Mountain View, CA, and Elizabeth Andrea Fulmer of Davis, CA. Phoebe-Jean was the beloved grandmother of 11: Natasya Millis and Karina Chambers, Krista Dalpogetto and Katie Jordan, Elisabeth Morray (Williams), Meredith Brisson, and Patrick Morray, David and Erin Von Dollen (Barber), and Emily and James Henderson. She was the proud great-grandmother of 13 and the beloved aunt of a whole clan full of nieces and nephews. Considered Grandma Phoebe by many young friends, she will be dearly missed by all. Phoebe graduated from University High School in Berkeley, attended the University of California, Berkeley and was a member of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. She studied for two years to become a docent at the Oakland History Museum, and spent many Wednesdays volunteering at the Alta Bates Showcase. Active in her community, she was a school and church volunteer serving on many boards and committees. She and her close group of friends formed "Section Too" jokingly referring to "too many meetings, too many committees." She and Dave hosted many foreign students and their home was always a central gathering place for friends and extended family. Reading, gardening, bird-watching and travel were other favorite pastimes. Phoebe spent many happy summers at Berkeley Tuolumne Family Camp, Yosemite National Park, and at her cabin at Lake Tahoe, and considered going to the Sierras going home. Family reunions and clan gatherings were special highlights over the years. As a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, Phoebe- Jean inspired a devotion to family, characterized by a warm and welcoming sense of hospitality. Her creativity and capacity for making life fun, her unflagging support and encouragement are part of her a loving and lasting legacy. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 9th at 3 pm at First Congregational Church of Berkeley. Memorial donations may be made to First Congregational Church of Berkeley, the Ladera Community Church Youth Music Program or the charity of your choice

Published by Sacramento Bee on Jan. 15, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
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To the Fulmer family,

Dave and Phoebe were a part of my life for only a short season, but I remember well their warmth, generosity and love of life and family. (As a student, I rented a room in their house for a summer.) And Phoebe told me several wonderful stories that I still repeat to others (more than two decades later!). The world has lost two souls whose light shone on everyone they met.

Please accept my sincere condolences.

Maureen (O'Reilly) Roche

January 30, 2013

I knew Phoebe when she volunteered as a docent at the International House, Davis. What a lovely woman. I know her sisters Pat and Nancy also and send my sincere condolences to their family.

Susan Larock

January 18, 2013

Dear Lindsay,
We are so sorry about the loss of Phoebe.
We are grateful to have met her - thank you for sharing her with us. May she rest in peace, and may peace rest in you.
Peace and Love,
Jed Lane, Emma Lane, Julie Menard and Steve Lane

January 18, 2013

Phoebe and Dave were such loving presences. I'll never forget the Christmas gatherings at their house and the laughter that filled the air, and the love that they had for all the little ones in their midst. You all are in our prayers in this time of grieving.

Laura Rossbert (Robertson)

January 16, 2013

Wilson and I will always remember the wonderful Christmas celebration parties at Phoebe and Dave's.

Gail Miller

January 16, 2013

Dear Fulmers,

Phoebe-Jean was always a favorite person in my life. I'm so glad she and your dad were friends of my family. I always looked forward to seeing them - and I also remember her brother, "Ham." Our "cast of characters" gets smaller as time goes on.

I send my sincerest condolences to all Fulmers and their families.

Love from Peter

January 15, 2013

I wanted to offer my condolences and a comforting thought. John 3:16- For God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.

January 15, 2013

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