Florence Marilyn Mulhair

Florence Marilyn (Flossie) Mulhair, age 101 passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of January 16, 2025. She was born on June 7, 1923 is Seattle, WA to the late Alfred Fry and Bessie Sanders Fry.

Flossie resided in West Seattle with her mother and grandmother, Pena Sanders, step-father Harry Lamon and her older sister Catherine (Kay). She graduated from West Seattle High School in 1941 and then attended business college. She worked at the phone company until 1942, then went to work for the U.S. Navy at Pier 91 in the Small Craft Dispersing Section. She was one of four civilian women working in her section. She worked for the Navy until 1945 at the end of WWII.

In November 1945, she married Joseph P Bynum in Seattle. They had four children, Joe Jr, Marilyn, David and Nancy. In 1949 they moved to Walla Walla, WA where she was an active member of the community and busy raising their four children. She was involved with PTA, Boy & Girl Scouts, a member of Central Christian Church where she taught Sunday school, and member of the Walla Walla Altrusa Club.

Flossie’s family had a summer home in Kingston, WA beginning in 1934. As a child she enjoyed the family beach cottage and later brought her children there for their summer holidays.

In 1978, Flossie married Doug Mulhair and in 1979 they retired and moved to the beach home in Kingston permanently. Flossie loved her beach home and the Kingston community. She was a founding volunteer at the Kingston Meals on Wheels site and the longest serving volunteer in the history of the organization. She provided over 32 years of service with an estimated 6,700 volunteer hours. In 2017, the Kingston Chamber of Commerce recognized her dedication and service with it’s Diamond Award. In 2019 she was recognized with the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award for her outstanding volunteer service and enjoyed a special luncheon at the Governor’s Mansion in Olympia.

In addition to her dedicated community service, she was an avid traveler. She took many cruises, her favorite way to travel, including trips to Russia, Panama Canal, Southeast Asia, Great Britain and The Caribbean.

Flossie was always ready to serve others. Her passing creates a void within the community and her family. Her passion for life, generous spirit and kindness will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Doug Mulhair, her sister Catherine Becker, her great grandson Tyler Bynum, and her step-daughter Nancy Thompson.

She is survived by her four children: Joseph P Bynum Jr (Liz) of Las Vegas, NV, Marilyn Burdick of Eagle River, AK, David Bynum (Teresa) of Walla Walla, WA, and Nancy Bynum of Kingston, WA. As well as 11 grandchildren, 20 great-grand children and 2 great great-grandchildren. Her step-children Gary Mulhair (Sandra) of Seattle, WA, Gregory Mulhair of Yakima, WA, Sarita Tomlinson of Pasco, WA, Ken Mulhair of Milton-Freewater, OR and 18 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Flossie’s life will be held by the family in June 2025 in Kingston, WA.