Bonnie Lynn Broek-Sambila, age 74, was called home to our Lord on September 23, 2019 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s, LewyBody and Parkinson’s. She was born June 7, 1945 in Selma, Alabama to Donald and Evelyn Herrick. She is survived by her husband, who was her love, friend and companion, Gary Sambila, of Buckley, Washington.
Her hobbies included caring for her herd of Dachshund pups, playing poker, harvesting chanterelle mushrooms in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, knitting, jigsaw puzzles, avid coupon clipper and fishing in Alaska. She loved to host family meals and was always ready with a meal and room for visitors. Bonnie frequently volunteered her skills as a master barber for the local senior centers and was an active parishioner at St. Aloysius.
Bonnie was a deeply devoted Roman Catholic woman of faith. Her greatest gift to her family and friends was her continuous offering of prayer and suffering on their behalf, and her powerful example of trust and faith in Jesus Christ. Bonnie leaves behind a legacy of faith and love within her family for the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Her ability to dedicate herself to prayer and then accept our Lord’s Cross in redemptive suffering set an example for her family. At the end, the fruits of her life’s work in prayer, resulted in a room-full of love and admiration. She enjoyed laughing grandchildren, family stories, and prayer as she transitioned from this life to the next. She was surrounded by love: her husband, sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren all being in attendance.
Bonnie is preceded in death by her first husband of 41 years, Harold Dale Broek Sr.; father and mother, Donald & Evelyn Herrick; brother, Donald Herrick Jr.; and granddaughter, Bonnie Morgan Broek.
She is survived by her husband, Gary Sambila of Buckley, WA.; her three brothers, Bruce (Julie) Herrick, Michael (Lisa) Herrick, and Pat (Eileen) Herrick.; her four sons, Harold Jr. Broek, Kenneth (Phyllis) Broek, Sandon (Sharlet) Broek, and Dustin (Janina) Broek; and seventeen grandchildren, Megan, Harold III., Joshua, Amy, Andreauna, Tabitha, Mykayla, Joziah, Michael, Bridget, Gabrielle, Luke, Maximilian, Alexis, Monica, Dominic, and Xavier. All of these she loved and touched deeply.
Funeral Mass was held on Monday September 30, 2019, at Saint Aloysius Catholic Church.
