Miriam Best Gundry

Miriam Best Churchyard was born August 30, 1924, in Douglas, Arizona, to Harry L. and Miriam Florence Churchyard. Her father was a mechanic, and her mother was a kindergarten teacher, both from Minnesota. She was the second of four children: Fred (deceased in 1952), Ada Ruth and Jim. During the depression, when she was about 5, her parents homesteaded on land between Gila Bend and Casa Grande, but they moved back to Douglas when she was 10. Her mother died when Miriam was 14 years old. She saw first hand how a kind word or some help could go a long way to ease pain. Miriam took on more responsibility around the house, though her sister and younger brother might describe it as becoming bossier!

Miriam decided at a young age that going to college would allow her to be as accomplished as the women she admired in her church. To make money for college, she worked in the assay office at the Douglas Phelps Dodge smelter during the summers, where she was the only woman in the office. Her first year was at Trinity College in San Antonio, Texas. She loved the school and made many friends, but transferred to University of Arizona after one year due to finances. Miriam lived on campus in Pima Hall, a cooperative dorm where the members were responsible for running the dorm and preparing all the food. She told stories about how difficult it was to plan meals everyone would like on their limited budget. She made lifelong friends in Pima Hall. While at U of A she met Joseph Courtice Gundry, the engineering student who would become her husband. In 1948, after they graduated, they were married in Douglas. They moved to Phoenix, where he began work at Motorola.

Her college roommate, Phyllis Yates, married the son of the First Congregational Church organist and invited Miriam and Courtice to join the church. This began Miriam’s almost 70-year involvement with First Church. Her positions in the church included: Moderator, Director of Vacation Bible School, Chair for the Diaconate, member of the Board of Christian Education, 5th Grade Sunday School Teacher, President of Pharicon, and member of Spice and Spouse. Throughout her membership she sought out the new faces and made them feel welcomed.

Miriam and Courtice had three children: Paulette, Keith and Kathy (Kate). While raising her children she kept busy with volunteer work, in addition to her church activities. She and Courtice were involved with Campfire Girls, where she was group leader for Paulette and Kathy and was a member of the local board. She and Courtice helped get the camp set up in Prescott each year. Miriam was also busy making clothes for herself and her daughters, as well as homemade bread and cinnamon rolls. She organized a neighborhood talent show and invited all the neighborhood kids over for popcorn and “Man from U.N.C.L.E.” every Friday night. One of those kids, Phil Hopkins, became like a second son.

In 1973 her father became ill and moved into her home. She and her sister provided round-the-clock nursing care until he passed away in January 1974. In December 1975, Courtice had an acute heart attack and died. Miriam’s grief was great, but with support from friends and family she persevered. She joined a grief support group and, true to form, ended up providing as much support as she received. Tragedy struck Miriam again in September of 1978 when her son, Keith, died in a motorcycle accident.

After Courtice’s death Miriam was hired as the executive secretary to the UCC Southwest Conference minister. She had to type, which she hated, but loved the people; being in the center of the church activities was nirvana to her. She attended all the southwest conference meetings and was a delegate to the national UCC conference in Virginia.

Miriam retired in 1989 and immediately began courses to become a Phoenix Art Museum docent. She taught a Mexican art program to grade school children all over the Valley. Miriam also volunteered every Wednesday at the ICM Food and Clothing Bank, either working in the nursery or the clothing room. She was sad to have to quit when she was physically no longer able to participate. All her life, she loved learning new things and took several classes at the community college and through Elderhostel. Miriam traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe, as well as China, Egypt and Israel. She loved art, the symphony and plays. Miriam treasured her many friends. Her greatest joy was her family, and she never missed a school concert or graduation.

In 2010 she was diagnosed with mild Alzheimer’s disease – she was forgetting to pay bills or go to appointments, among other things. During the decline in her mental abilities, she still remembered and was extremely grateful for her friends and family. She often worried that others may have needed something from her that she was no longer able to give. Miriam died peacefully with Paulette and Phil at her side and Kathy on the phone February 23, 2017.

Miriam is survived by her sister Ada Ruth Clark of San Jose, CA, brother Jim (wife Alberta) Churchyard of Fallbrook, CA, her daughters Paulette Woodard (husband Steve) of Mesa and Kathleen Gundry of Atlanta. She has four grandchildren: Jason (wife Paige) Furedy of Phoenix, Joe (wife Carrie) Furedy of Chandler, Mike (wife Vanessa) Woodard of Tucson and Vicki Woodard (Eric Reidy) of Tempe. She has 6 great grandchildren: Julia and Colin Furedy, Asher and Gundry Furedy, Cora and Alice Woodard, as well as several nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate her life will be held at First Congregational UCC Church of Phoenix, 1407 N. 2nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, on Saturday March 4, 2017, at 3:00 pm. Donations may be made to ICM Food and Clothing Bank. www.icmaz.org