Elinor Bostwick

After a very full life of over 101 years, Elinor Bostwick of Bellingham peacefully passed away Monday, July 14, 2025. Maxine Elinor Evig was born near Longmont, Colorado on January 3, 1924, the oldest of ten children born to John and Olive Rowena (Wiltsie) Evig. Growing up on a rural Colorado farm, Elinor was truly a child of the Great Depression, with an intense ethic for hard work and thrift, values she upheld throughout her life. Carl Bostwick was Elinor’s best customer while she worked at the coffee shop in Longmont. They married in Longmont in 1946, moving to Bellingham in 1953 with their two young children, Dianna and Eugene. Their youngest son Glenn was born in Bellingham. For many years Elinor helped run their business (Carl’s Plumbing) while also working night shift at the Bellingham Frozen Foods vegetable cannery. Throughout her long life, Elinor experienced the challenge of outliving most of her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Carl (2003) and sons Glenn (1973) and Eugene (2023). Elinor outlived 8 of her younger brothers and sisters: Edna, John, Robert, Donald, Betty, Darlene, Lawrence, and Marvin. She was also preceded in death by best friend Nettie Raber and great-granddaughter Jennyfer. Elinor is survived by her daughter Dianna (John) Sarich, daughter-in-law Rhonda Bostwick, five grandchildren (Sherry Barron, Julie Sarich, Jason Sarich, Alan Sarich, and Todd Bostwick), 16 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-granddaughter. She is also survived by her brother James (Pat) Evig of Longmont, Colorado. Elinor found meaning in helping her neighbors and dedicated much of her time to volunteering. She also enjoyed gardening, flowers, knitting, crocheting, and quilting. Elinor cherished her time with family and friends, finding joy in activities such as pinochle and bingo, a love she continued to enjoy until her final years. A memorial gathering for friends and family will be held at the Ankar Park Activity Building, off Kellogg Road in Bellingham, at 12:30 pm on Friday, August 15. In her memory, please donate to your favorite charity, if desired.