In Memory of Sunny

On Thursday, February 25 ^th , when I arrived early to help get ready for our monthly program night and Sunny Walter was not there, I knew there must be something wrong.  Sunny not only never missed a program meeting, but in her position as program chair, she was always there early chatting with the speakers and helping them to get their presentation ready.   Sunny would never be a no-show.    At the break, Tim McGruder gave her a call to check on her, but instead of reaching Sunny, received some horrible news from her daughter.  Sunny had passed away that day in her home. 

I'm sure it would be fair to estimate that almost anyone who has been involved with Eastside Audubon, even if they've only been to one meeting or event, no doubt knew Sunny.  She was involved in almost every facet of the chapter -  Marymoor work parties, conservation committee, web committee,  lobbying in Olympia, photography group, birding chair - which overseas fieldtrips and adult education classes, Birdathon chair, and serving on the board!  She also, just earlier that same week began working in the EAS office as an assistant to Jan.  

Sunny's influence on the board was remarkable.  You may think that it would be nearly impossible to take on so many roles and tasks and do them all well.   For most people that would probably be true, but that just wasn't the case with Sunny.  If she was passionate about something, she was going to give it her all.  She led by example and was absolutely amazing in her energy and enthusiasm.  When she had a good idea, she would run with it and bring others along.   Although she was on a fixed income, last year when I encouraged the board to give a stretch financial donation to the chapter, Sunny was the first to pledge a significant amount right there in the meeting and challenge others to do the same.  

For me personally, Sunny was a wonderful influence.  She challenged me to step out of my introverted comfort zone at program nights to spend my time socializing less with people I already knew well and instead spend more time making sure I was reaching out to and getting to know the visitors and new members so they felt welcome.    I always also appreciated Sunny for her decisiveness.   Although she could sometimes come across as a bit abrupt when she felt strongly about something, I always knew that, when I asked for her opinion, she would give it to me and give it to me straight.  That was always very refreshing and reassuring for someone like me who tends to waffle on things too long.  

Just days before she passed, Sunny and I were meeting to plan themes for the Corvid Crier.  Before we started on that topic, Sunny basically told me, in the nicest possible way, that I needed to step up my Birdathon fundraising this year and not let my team down.   After listening patiently to my excuses about why it was hard for me to fundraise, she asked me to commit to reviewing my contacts and letting her know how many people I thought I could ask for a donation this year. Sunny, I'm dedicating my 2010 Birdathon to you and will do my best to do you proud!

I feel very privileged to have been able to work with Sunny and get to know her over the last few years.   She was a role model.  It's not fair that she was taken so suddenly.  At our board retreat at the end of January, Sunny mentioned how she planned to live until she was 120 and we had no reason to doubt her.  She was a powerhouse.  It will take many people taking on many jobs just to carry on what she was working on, but she will never be replaced.  I am just thankful at as we walked together out to our cars after our meeting last week that I told her that she was amazing and that I appreciated her.  We miss you, Sunny!

by Cindy Balbuena