Bobbi J. Ulrigg

Bobbi Jen Hendren Ulrigg, age 67, of Belfair, Washington, passed away Wednesday, November 9th, 2016 at home after a ten month struggle with ALS.

Bobbi was adopted by Frank and Betty Christen of Brownstown, Washington at a young age. She grew up bucking bales, riding horses and raising show cattle. She attended White Swan High School. She was proud of growing up in the Yakima Valley.

In 1970, Bobbi married Patrick Hendren and they later divorced in 1981. During their marriage they had two children, Larry and Dawn Marie. Bobbi enjoyed being a homemaker and always said that she loved growing up with her children.

Later in 1984, Bobbi married Bruce Ulrigg. What a wild ride that turned out to be. They blended their two families and made one colorful family. Bobbi once read that it takes ten years for a step family to blend together and get along. With all of the work she put into us it finally worked, however, she sadly discovered that she lived in a house full of stubborn and slow to process people. But, she loved us anyway. Her favorite threat was that she was going to die before Bruce and leave him with all of the kids (Boy did she show him!).

Bobbi wore many different hats when it came to career decisions. She started out as a nurse in the early 1970’s in Pendleton, Oregon. She spent some wonderful years at home raising her children. In 1986 she found a good fit with Puget Sound Naval Shipyard as a secretary. Bobbi worked with the electricians in Shop 51 and later with the Safety Office/Code 106. During her time in the shipyard she made many remarkable friends.

After 19 years of service, Bobbi retired. That’s when life really kicked off for her. She was free to garden in the sun, fish on the ocean, travel across the states, gallivant the town with her Ladies Group and spoil her grandchildren (and she did!). Bobbi enjoyed welcoming her grandchildren into the world and spent time holding and rocking each one of those babies. Not only did Bruce have to wait in line behind her, so did their parents. Man she was a proud grandma.

The most amazing thing about Bobbi was her enthusiasm and zest for life. She saw the world through the eyes of a child. Everything was exciting and new to her. I’m certain you can think of a time when you laughed at her overwhelming excitement such as dew on a spider web, fresh snowfall, chipmunks, rocks, a road trip – you get the idea. When she was diagnosed with ALS she simply said, “It’s just another adventure.” Bobbi was a tremendously strong, brave, caring, loving and giving woman and she set a fine example for us all to follow.

Bobbi is survived by her husband, Bruce; son, Larry; daughters, Dawn Marie (Bob) Crookshank, Teresa (Cheryle) Myers, Heather Costello, Susanna Enghouse, and Megan Taylor; 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Billi Kraft, Joanne Tucker and Linda Rosenoff.

Celebration of Life services will be 11am Saturday, November 19th at Rill Chapel. Following will be a gathering of the hearts at:
Port Orchard Eagles
4001 Jackson Ave SE
Port Orchard, WA 98366