Marina Roberta "Bobbie" Gustafson

My mother Marina, known to many of you as Bobbie, died in her home September 15 ,2022. She was surrounded by her pets who she loved very much and that would have been her ideal way to part life. My mother was a person of strength even when she didn’t think so. She always did what she thought was best for her family and friends. She loved you all so much. Some of her absolute favorite times were out “bumming” around with them, getting messages from them daily, and probably even playing the messenger for them when looking for me even though she always said she was so tired of it. Yep sure. And I can just hear her giggling right now.

Bobbie was born in Duluth Mn in 1954 to Viola and Roy Gustafson. She is preceded by both and her grandparents, my brother and his father, aunts Ann (Joe), Alex (Pete)uncle Nick (Gladys) and many more. She is survived by me, Gen, Tyler Kindem (adopted by heart son) her granddaughters Kalandria and Kalysta, and her step grandson Jacob. She is also survived by her brother Michael (Ginny) and their children. She loved Duluth so much and always talked about going home. I thought I would be able to give that to her before this. She loved the water and being down on the lake walk and in canal park. She was also very proud of her Greek heritage and spent many hours in service to the church every time something required a multitude of baking be done. She also loved to fish, go camping, reading, needlework and so many other things I don’t have room to list. But I will say she loved her cats Mitch and Bow, her dog Jonah and I can’t imagine how excited she was to finally see Luke again. And after many years of surviving the health issues that seemed to come at a constant barrage, she can finally hear the birds, and the church bells she since long ago missed dearly. I imagine you are sitting in a field of wildflowers with the lake in your sights determined to catch the biggest fish and Luke is by your side. We are going to miss the way you used to start rapid firing watermelon seeds at us unexpectedly, and your cacciatore I never got the recipe for, and especially how you were always just there. I can’t believe how hard this is Mom. We are all going to miss you so very much because you were our rock even though we didn’t always know it. We love you to the moon and back. Now every time I hear a bell, I’m going to think about how you can finally hear them again, rest easy Mom until we can see you again. Your country road has taken you home.

Visitation will be held on Thursday September 29, 2022, from 10AM until the 11AM Funeral Service in Twelve Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church.  Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery.  Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home 600 E. 2^nd St. Duluth, MN 55805.  218-727-3555.