Roberta A. Gorum, 84, a longtime Wickersham area resident, passed away at her home, surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, March 18, 2010.

She was born on August 30, 1925 in Prineville, Oregon, the daughter of Raymond S. and Orma Blanche (Adams) Hammer.  In 1929 the family moved to the Deming area and there Roberta was raised and attended school and graduated from Mount Baker High School with the class of 1942.

On March 14, 1943 she was united in marriage to Frederick Gorum in Bellingham and they made their home in Clear Lake, WA before settling in Wickersham in 1945.

For many years Roberta was a devoted wife and mother to her family.  In 1963 she began working as a bookkeeper for Clark’s Thriftway grocery store in Bellingham. She retired in 1990 after 27 years of service.

Roberta enjoyed gardening, raising rhododendron’s, making quilts with her family and friends and being grandma to loving grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Bernard Gorum and wife Connie and Bradley Gorum and wife Heather all of Sedro-Woolley, Beverly Sygitowicz and husband Lee of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Barbara Stromme and husband Joel of Ferndale and Betty Gorum of Wickersham. Six brothers and their wives, Bill & Eve Hammer, Howard & Dee Hammer, Dick & Marge Hammer, Ted & Judy Hammer, Jerry & Lurline Hammer and Leo & Tammy Hammer. Two sisters and their husbands, Anita & Cal May and Noni & Ron Bowhay. 13 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Frederick; a daughter Bonnie Beers; two sisters, Ada Fiamengo and Orma Latham and two brothers, Raymond & Darrel Hammer.

Memorials are suggested to Whatcom County Hospice, 800 E Chestnut, suite 1-C, Bellingham, WA 98225.

A private family committal will be held at the Saxon Cemetery with a public Life Celebration gathering at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lawrence on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 2:00 PM.  Visitation is available on Monday, March 22 from 9 am to 5 pm at Lemley Chapel.  Arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.