Catherine Tardiff

Catherine “Ghundi” Tardiff, 86, of Oak Harbor, died on Friday, Oct. 2, 2009. Ghundi was born on June 16, 1923 in Portland, Ore. She met and married her husband William Phillip Chamberlin in Tacoma in 1943.

During World War II, while her husband was serving in the war, Ghundi worked at Fort Lewis as an aircraft electrical crew chief inspector.

When the men came home from the war, she was laid off to provide jobs for our returning servicemen. She then went to work at a shipyard as a mail clerk, delivering mail by motorcycle. She later became a truck driver, driving 18-wheelers delivering cargo throughout the Portland area. Yes, our Ghundi!

Life was about to change for her, as she and her husband decided it was time to settle down and start their family. They went on to have four children: Gary, Donna, Judy and David, all of whom are currently residing in Washington.

Ghundi continued to work various jobs while raising her children. She worked for some time as a bus driver in the school system and then as a glass inspector for Boeing. In 1958, her beloved husband of 15 years passed away.

However, in 1967, Ghundi would find love again. She met and married her second husband, Charles “Charlie” Tardiff. They moved to Whidbey Island, living in Clinton from 1968 to 1982.

Ghundi was again working at various jobs while her children were growing up. In August 1984, her husband Charlie passed away. As we read this story about someone we all know and love, we see a special love, and yet the story is still touched by sadness. However, Ghundi was blessed in so many ways. Few people get to experience love even once in their lives the way Ghundi has, and yet she was blessed a second time. Ghundi is a very proud grandmother of her 12 grandchildren and

15 great-grandchildren.

Ghundi had lived at Summer Hill since September of 2002. She was an inspiration to all of us when we saw her beautiful smile. She will be in our hearts forever. Thanks for sharing your story with us, Ghundi.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com.