Lavina H. Bundy

Lavina Henrietta “Vi” Bundy, 100, passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023 at the Elizabeth Scott nursing home in Toledo, Ohio. She was born on July 27, 1922 in Belle Valley, Ohio to John and Amelia (Pahmeyer) Banko.

Following her graduation from Belle Valley High School in 1940, Lavina moved to Cleveland, Ohio. There, she met the love of her life, Raymond E. Bundy. They wed on January 23, 1943, and raised eight children over 60 years of marriage. A WWII army veteran, Raymond preceded her in death in 2003.

While Lavina worked many jobs as a mother, waitress, and real estate agent, her true passion was sewing. She worked at Minnesota Fabrics in North Olmsted, Ohio as a seamstress for over ten years. During this time, she won a state sewing competition for an outfit she designed, created, and modeled herself. Lavina also enjoyed crocheting, knitting, and coloring – skills which she excitedly shared with her grandchildren. When she was not crafting, Lavina could be found playing the piano and organ, competing in marble games, tennis matches, and pinochle, or enjoying the occasional whiskey sour. She also loved jitterbug dancing with her husband.

After raising their children, Lavina and Raymond purchased an RV and spent years traveling the United States. Lavina’s favorite place to be, however, was Mitiwanga beach. She was a summer resident of Mitiwanga for 47 years before permanently relocating to Huron in 1989. She would remain in Huron until 2018. There, Lavina enjoyed boating, swimming, sailing the Snark, and walking the beach. She was also proud of her water skiing talent, which she continued to do until she was 78 years old.

Lavina is lovingly remembered by her eight children, Dennis Bundy; LaRae Balmenti; Kathy Macri; Marcia McGary; Neil Bundy; Noreen Turner; Jill Dixon; and Nora Jaegly; her eight grandchildren, Pam Batista; Phillip A. Balmenti; Nathan Nemec; Kristy Katavich; Austen Turner; Savanna Dixon; Katie Jaegly; and Sophie Jaegly; and her four great-grandchildren, Phillip V. Balmenti; Enzo Balmenti; Jack Katavich; and Jade Katavich.

A Celebration of Life mass will be held in August 2023.