When someone asks you to write an obituary for Mary Gaunz (Port Orchard), they’re asking for more than dates and logistics — they want a careful, compassionate telling of a life that mattered. Below is a full-length blog-style obituary draft you can use as-is or adapt. It’s written to honor the memory of Mary Gaunz while also giving practical guidance for publication and for friends and family who want to offer condolences or share memories.
Mary Gaunz — a life remembered
Mary Gaunz of Port Orchard was a beloved member of her community whose kindness, quiet strength, and commitment to family and neighbors left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her. Whether she was volunteering at a local event, offering a warm welcome to a new neighbor, or simply sharing a cup of coffee and an encouraging word, Mary’s presence brought comfort and light to Port Orchard.
Friends remember Mary for her generosity and the small, consistent ways she cared for others: a handwritten note, a call to check in during difficult times, or a steady hand at community gatherings. She was known for living her values — putting family first, supporting local causes, and finding joy in the simple rhythms of daily life.
(Note: factual details such as date of birth, survivors, and service arrangements should be added where appropriate. If you provide those specifics, they can be inserted into this draft to make it fully accurate.)
Life and legacy
Mary’s life reflected a devotion to the people and places she loved. She was a stalwart supporter of local initiatives and often worked quietly behind the scenes to make Port Orchard stronger and more connected. Her legacy will be carried forward by the many lives she touched: family members, friends, neighbors, and colleagues who were uplifted by her steady presence.
Many in Port Orchard will recall Mary’s involvement in community activities and the way she used her time — and sometimes her own resources — to make events run smoothly and to make newcomers feel at home. Her spirit is one of service, empathy, and gratitude.
A sample obituary (copy, paste, and customize)
You can use the following template when submitting to newspapers, funeral-home websites, or memorial pages. Replace bracketed text with the correct details.
Mary (Maiden Name) Gaunz, [age], of Port Orchard, Washington, passed away on [date]. Born on [birthdate] in [birthplace], Mary lived a life defined by love, service, and community. She is survived by [list immediate family — spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings — or write “close family and friends” if details are private].
Mary worked as [occupation/role] and was known for [short description of passions/interests]. She volunteered with [organizations, if any] and was a familiar presence at local [events/places]. Mary loved [hobbies/interests], and she shared that joy generously with those around her.
A service to celebrate Mary’s life will be held at [location] on [date/time]. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to [charity/organization] or suggests leaving a memory in the guestbook at [funeral home / memorial website]. Condolences may be sent to [funeral home contact / online memorial link].
Mary’s family wishes to thank [caregivers, hospice, friends] for their compassion and support. She will be deeply missed and warmly remembered by all who knew her.
Publishing the obituary in Port Orchard
If you’re preparing to publish an obituary for Mary Gaunz in Port Orchard, here are common places to submit it:
- Local newspapers and obituary aggregators — Many Port Orchard and Kitsap County families use services like Legacy or local papers to publish notices and guestbooks. Legacy collects many local obituaries and is often used by families and funeral homes. Legacy
- Kitsap-area newspapers — The Kitsap Sun and regional outlets maintain obituary sections and community death notices; these reach local readers and neighbors. Kitsap Sun
- Funeral home websites — If you’re working with a funeral home in the Port Orchard area, they can publish the official obituary and guestbook and handle submissions to local papers and aggregators. Services in the Kitsap/Port Orchard area (for example Pendleton/Gilchrist and others) commonly assist families with publication and arrangements. wagenweb.org
If you’d like, I can adapt the sample obituary to the exact facts (dates, survivors, service times) and produce versions tailored for the newspaper, funeral-home page, and social-media announcement.
Writing a meaningful eulogy and sharing memories
A public obituary tells the who/what/when/where. A eulogy tells the why. Here are short sections you can lift into a eulogy, a social post, or a program:
- Opening line — “Mary taught us what it means to show up.”
- Anecdote — Share one tangible story that reveals her character: a time she helped a neighbor rebuild after a storm, or the ritual treat she made every holiday. Keep it specific and short (30–90 seconds in a spoken eulogy).
- Values — Name three qualities (kindness, patience, generosity) and give one short example of each.
- Closing — End with what you’ll miss most: “We’ll miss her steady laugh, her open door, and the way she always made room at the table.”
Encourage friends and family to add memories to the obituary’s guestbook (if posted) or to create a shared online album of photos and stories.
Practical notes: flowers, donations, and viewing etiquette
- Many families include a requested charity in the obituary (“In lieu of flowers…”). If Mary had a favorite local cause — the food bank, animal shelter, church, or medical research group — adding that guidance helps mourners who want to give.
- For viewings and services in Port Orchard, check the funeral home for any specifics (parking, accessibility, live-stream details). Funeral homes often post these on their websites and coordinate with print notices. wagenweb.org+1
How the community can help
If you’re a friend or neighbor wanting to help the family of Mary Gaunz:
- Offer concrete help: meals, errands, or childcare.
- Contribute a short written memory to be read at the service or posted online.
- Help coordinate guests or ride-sharing for elderly attendees.
- Offer to manage the obituary/guestbook online if the family prefers—many find it overwhelming in the immediate aftermath.
Final thoughts
An obituary is both a public record and a tender act of storytelling. The draft above is designed to respectfully honor Mary Gaunz and to provide families with clear, usable language for publication in Port Orchard and beyond. If you’d like the post adjusted into a particular style (short newspaper notice, longer memorial page, social-media announcement, or Spanish/other-language version), or if you can share names, dates, and service details I’ll insert them directly and produce ready-to-submit versions.
