Lorraine Frances Bushnell, resident of Salyer and formerly Eureka, passed away on June 30, 2018 at age 71 due to metastatic breast cancer. Her loving husband Don, and daughter Paula stayed with her until the end.

Lori was born on November 29, 1946 in San Francisco to Macy and Loretta Wilson. She was a fierce and independent woman and was the first in her family to earn a college degree, doing so as a single working mother of two, graduating with honors from College of the Redwoods in 1981, with a business degree. Most of her working life was spent in the restaurant industry where she opened a restaurant (Crosswinds) and later went on to provide many years of excellent service at Denny’s and Stanton’s where she formed several lifetime friendships.

Lori was a talented artist, seamstress, crafter, gardener, cook, writer and poet. These gifts were passed on to her grandchildren. She had a keen eye for creation and design particularly when it came to designing unique Halloween costumes for her grandchildren.

Traveling and embarking on adventures was a joy; Agate Beach, Glass Beach, The Grand Canyon, camping anywhere in the Redwoods, spending time with her granddaughter Trinity Evanson and family, and visiting her cousin Laura Martin and her life-long best friend Elaine Starrett were popular past-times. She was a second mom to many of her daughter’s friends and was a loyal fan of both Neil Diamond, whom her children eventually learned to appreciate, and Zac Brown.

She is survived by her loving husband of 18 years Donald Bushnell and his children and grandchildren Kathleen and Trent Johnson(Trevor and Tyler), Danny and Zena Bushnell (Stormy) their beloved yorkie Snickers; daughters Paula Kay Gamage-Sells and Michelle Mayfield (Noah); grandchildren Chris Gamage, Pauly Gamage-Cain, Silver Gamage-Cain and her children Randy and Tyler, Jennifer (aka Bob) Seladoki, Alexandria (aka Fred)Faust, Trinity Evanson (AJ) and her children Tanner, Canyon, Belle and Porter; sister Patricia Daye-Barton; nephews Ronald and Patrick Daye, Jimmy and Kevin Smith; nieces Dynaasty Albiani, Stephenee Wilson, Jennifer Trosin, close friends Elaine Starrett, Marci Colburn, Corinda Evanson, Bobbie Whelihan and Kay McConnell, and relatives too numerous to mention but equally important.

Lori was preceded in death by her parents Macy and Loretta Wilson, sister Mary Smith, brothers Jackie and Stephen Wilson, grandson Randall Aaron Gamage, and husband Allan Toole.

There will be no services at Lori’s request; memorial donations in lieu of flowers, please spend time with a loved one, do something kind for someone who can never repay you, take the first step to mend a broken relationship, love one another as if there is no tomorrow, and have a good listen to Neil Diamond or Zac Brown in her honor.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Lori’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.