Obituary of Durlyn Finnie

Durlyn Rose Gonnason/Finnie

March 31,1947 - August 14, 2019

Durlyn was born March 31, 1947 in Alameda, California, the first-born daughter of Warren and Joan Gonnason. She spent most of her childhood years in the San Francisco Bay Area where her father helped design and build the Bay Bridge. 

In 1960 the family moved to Bellevue, Washington, a suburb of Seattle. She graduated from Sammamish High School in 1965 and continued her education at the University of Washington School of Nursing, earning a Nurse Degree (RN) in 1969. 

Durlyn then began a 25-year career with the City of Seattle Public Health Department where she began as a Well-Baby Home Care Visiting Nurse, helping mothers with newborns gain information and skills in caring for their children.  She eventually earned a Nurse Practitioner’s degree and worked in Women’s Health for a number of years. She later earned a Master’s Degree in Public Health Nursing (MPH) and became a Public Health Administrator, dealing with budgeting decisions and responsibility for hiring nurses from around the world.

Previously married and divorced, Durlyn met her husband Robert Finnie in 1981. They married on January 12, 1982 and recently enjoyed their 37^th wedding anniversary. She continued her career for a number of years and eventually retired to homes in Allyn, Washington and Kihei, Maui, where Durlyn and Bob enjoyed their retirement years. 

Durlyn was an avid cyclist and rode in the famous STP (Seattle to Portland Ride) and RSVP (Ride Seattle to Vancouver, BC and Party) bike rides numerous times.  Durlyn was also on the Board of Directors of the Cascade Bicycle Club and The Bicycle Alliance, and was a member of the Bicycle Action Committee in Seattle. She also enjoyed golf with her husband Bob and many friends in her golf groups on Maui and in Allyn. 

Durlyn loved traveling and took numerous trips to New Zealand with her husband Bob, trips to Asia and the Caribbean with her sister Meryl, and a quilting trip to Bali a short time ago with quilting friends. Durlyn’s greatest gift was her tireless love of quilting (especially with her quilting groups in Allyn and Maui) where she created many beautiful quilts for family and friends. 

She was always the consummate nurse, kind, loving and supportive of friends and family and will be terribly missed by all who knew her. 

Durlyn is survived by her husband Robert Finnie of Allyn, Washington, brother Kim Gonnason of Seattle, Washington, sister Meryl Conner of Bend, Oregon, brother Chris Gonnason of Chugiak, Alaska, niece Christa Nash-Webber and her family of Bend, Oregon, and nephew Brad Conner and his family in Preston, Washington.

Celebration of Life will be held September 14, 2019 at Lakeland Village Community Club, 470. Country Club Dr, Allyn WA 9852. Time will be at 2:00PM

You may view her History at:  www.edwardsmemorial.com

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to The American Cancer Society.