Julia Gustine Mcconnell

Julia Gustine Gunderson McConnell passed away at age 86 on March 22, 2021 ending a three week stay in Grandview Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio. Her journey began on Nov 10, 1934 in Plainview, Oregon a small community southwest of Lebanon, Oregon where she was born to adoring parents Grace and Gust Gunderson and four doting older sisters.

Gussy was a talented artist and tireless homemaker. She was known for her stunning floral arrangements and delicious cooking. No one was a stranger in her kind and bubbly presence. She attended and graduated from the eighth grade in the small school in Plainview. She attended Laurelwood Academy, a boarding school near Gaston, Oregon, for two years. She then attended Shedd High School in Shedd, Oregon for her Junior year. She returned to Laurelwood Academy for her Senior year graduating with 70 some other students. She also attended Walla Walla College for two years studying to be a secretary. She was an artist, a musician and a lover of gardening and landscaping. Her yard was always brightened by her flower and shrub planting. Her artwork was usually done in oils and her music ability was shared as the keyboard accompanist for the Sojourners, a gospel quartet/trio, who travelled extensively from 1972 to 2002.

She was married to Donald McConnell in October 1955. She leaves her husband, one child, four grandchildren and six great grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. There will be a Celebration of Life service held on June 12, 2021 at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Lebanon, Oregon.