THELMA MARIE FREDLUND

1910 - 2009

A gifted & accomplished pianist & organist, Mother was immersed in music her entire life. She was generous with her talent, sharing her abilities as director of music for several local churches & synagogues, as well as giving piano instruction to countless & appreciative young people & adults.

Mother was born in Camden, Maine on April 13, 1910 to Grace Tiffany Shorkley & Dr. George Shorkley. In 1913, the family moved from Maine to Mount Vernon, Washington, where her father practiced medicine for many years. Her aptitude for music - the piano & later on, the pipe organ, was recognized & nurtured there, at an early age.

Mother attended Mount Vernon schools, Mills College in California & Bellingham Normal School (now WWU) earning a B.A. with a degree in education. Hired by Burlington schools, she taught music until 1936, retiring from classroom work to marry Kenneth I. Fredlund of Mount Vernon. Mother & Dad had known each other from early childhood, since the Shorkley & Fredlund families were friends for over 40 years. On June 19, 2007, Mother & Dad celebrated 71 years of marriage.

My brother, George Shorkley Fredlund (1945), and I, Kay Elizabeth Fredlund Syre (1942) were born in Mount Vernon.
In 1951, our family moved to Lynden, Washington where Dad managed The Washington Co-op (Western Farmers Association) for 20 years. In addition to raising my brother & me, Mother was responsible for music programs, weddings, funerals & community celebrations.

Transferring from Lynden to Tacoma, Washington in 1967, Mother & Dad were greatly involved in & dedicated to The First Baptist Church there, & its congregation. They formed long-lasting friendships during the years they lived in Tacoma. Upon Dad's full retirement from Western Farmers Cooperative, he & Mother returned to Whatcom County, making their home in the Village at Cordata as the first residents.

In 2006, because of her failing health, Mother moved to The Cottage at Highgate for special care. Dad continues living in their Cordata home.

As young people, both Mother & Dad asked Christ Jesus to be their Lord & Savior. From their youth into adulthood, they matured as devoted Christians. Being dedicated to Christ's teachings, they actively supported & devoted themselves in American Baptist churches in Mount Vernon, Lynden, Tacoma & Bellingham.

Mother died Saturday, March 14, 2008, as her family expressed their love for her. Mother's 98th birthday was April 13, 2008.

In addition to her loving husband & dearest friend, Kenneth; her family circle includes; daughter, Kay Elizabeth Fredlund Syre; son, George Shorkley Fredlund; son-in-law, David R. Syre; daughter-in-law, Catherine Fredlund; granddaughters, Amy Syre Healy & husband Robert C. Healy, Mia Syre Vinkemulder & husband Brian Vinkemulder; Christina Kay Fredlund Llorens & husband Justin Llorens; grandson, Jonathan Syre & wife Kerry Hawley Syre; great-grandsons, Wren Healy, Parker Syre, Finn Vinkemulder, and Ryder Syre; great-granddaughters Isabella Llorens, Ann Healy, and Hanna Vinkemulder.

We love her, we miss her & we thank Christ Jesus for giving her to us, as Wife, Mom, Gramma, & Great Gramma. THANK YOU.

Moles Family Funeral Homes & Crematory
Bayview Chapel -
Bellingham