February 28th, 1942 - July 21st, 2023
Boulder lost a life-long native and ray of sunshine. Sunny Lee (Patterson) Gilbert left us on the morning of July 21, 2023.
Sunny was born in Boulder to Earl and Jacqueline Patterson on February 24, 1942. She and brother, Stormy, grew up in North Boulder, attending Whittier Elementary, Casey Junior High, and Boulder High School.
Sunny was a self-proclaimed “tomboy” as a youngster with a competitive spirit. She often said she wished there had been more competitive sports offered for girls when she was growing up.
Sunny’s early years were spent roller skating, skiing with the boys at Eldora, waterskiing at the Boulder Reservoir, and dancing to the music of The Astronauts, her brother Stormy’s band.
Sunny had one daughter, Windy, who she dedicated her life to raising. Sunny was a single parent and self-made woman. She worked to provide for herself and her daughter–learning secretarial skills and starting her career as a secretary at Boulder National Bank. Sunny would later become a loan officer and the Executive Vice President of Lending at Boulder Valley Bank & Trust (later known as Bank of the West). She managed a large commercial loan portfolio and was a successful woman banker in an era when the industry was led predominantly by men.
Sunny adored her three grandsons. She spent countless hours watching them play basketball, baseball, football, and soccer. She was thrilled when they were able to join her for a round of golf. Her family meant everything to her, and she was blessed to be a great-grandmother to four. Sunny loved her great-grandchildren immensely. She watched this next generation play sports as well. Sunny’s favorite part of the week was Wednesday night. Wednesday nights were her night to have dinner with her grandson, Colin, and his family. She always brought a toy or a new game for each of her great-grandchildren. Minutes after her passing, her youngest great-grandchild, Emerson, stood up by herself and took her first real steps. Sunny surely had a hand in this.
Sunny enjoyed hiking, biking, golf, crossword puzzles, competitive bridge, and poker with “her guys.” She was a Master bridge player and conquered four 14ers. She loved watching her Colorado Rockies and PGA Golf. She was a loyal Tiger Woods fan.
After several months of waning health, a cancer diagnosis, and the start of immunotherapy, Sunny decided she would not seek additional treatment for her illness. She was determined to end her suffering and not burden those she loved. If you knew Sunny, you knew she was dedicated and fiercely stubborn. There was no changing her mind once she decided on something.
Sunny was a beautiful, elegant, proud, and witty woman who truly was “Sunny.”
Sunny is survived by her daughter, Windy Lee Gallagher, and son-in-law, Terry Gallagher; grandsons Patrick Ryan Gallagher, Keelan Gilbert Gallagher (Zacarii), and Colin Arthur Gallagher (Cami); great-grandchildren Jackson Ryan Allison Gallagher, Poppy Lee Gallagher, Cannon Asher Gallagher, and Emerson Rose Gallagher; and her great-granddogs Coco and Capone.
A gravesite memorial will be held August 5, 2023, at 11:00am at Mountain View Cemetery. A Celebration of Life lunch will follow at the home of Terry and Windy Gallagher. Comfortable, casual dress is encouraged, and golf attire is welcomed.
