This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, PJ Hunter, 73, born on January 28, 1945 and passed away on April 15, 2018. We will remember her forever.
Tributes
Leave a tributeWe all love and miss you.
I love and miss seeing you, but I know you’re still with us always.
Jean Nelson, past president
Benton County Republican Women
Words cannot adequately express the many attributes that PJ brought to Benton County Republican Women.
Our hearts are heavy with grief as we remember that she is no longer with us.
We deeply miss her smile and her love.
PJ made BCRW a positive force in the community with her rare talent and dedication.
• We were proud to ride on her beautifully designed floats on July 4 and Veterans Day.
• As our graphic artist, PJ created and maintained BCRW’s informative, beautiful website.
• For programs and events, for meetings and the County Fair, and for socials, PJ’s posters and pictures made everything special.
• A true patriot, PJ made sure that our military and America were always properly honored with banners and signs.
• She taught history to the community with her library displays for Presidents’ Day and Constitution Day.
• PJ was a great fundraiser. She designed beautiful political and patriotic buttons for BCRW to sell.
• When PJ’s health began to fail, she devoted her limited strength and the vast majority of her time to BCRW and the Benton County Republican Party. PJ’s wonderful husband Garland was protective of her, but supported her in giving her energy to BCRW's patriotic activities. Garland knew how important these activities were to her.
PJ was a true friend to everyone in BCRW. She was gracious and careful of the feelings of others. Her loving spirit and strength were a combination that inspired all who knew her.
DEAR PJ,
THANK YOU for your true friendship and your great example! WE LOVE YOU!
Members of Benton County Republican Women look forward with faith to
that great day when we will be resurrected and reunited at the feet of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We will embrace each other and praise the Lord for His sacrifice that heals all wounds and dries all tears. Until then, dear PJ, know that your memory lives bright in our hearts.
We met P.J. in the Spring of 2017. The increasing divisiveness between the 2 political parties prompted us to reach out for some honest and constructive communication.
P.J. arrived at our first meeting, of course wearing flip flops. This was her first outing following her cancer treatments. She shared that she was briefly delayed because she had to jump start her car.
P.J. was well informed on issues and freely expressed her views. It was delightful that we were able to come together and have such an open, honest, and respectful conversation. Over the course of a year, additional Republican women joined our group and we have developed sincere and caring friendships. She never missed a meeting and expressed how she sincerely enjoyed the challenging conversation and laughter.
We treasure our flip flop buttons, and P.J. will always be with us.
With love,
Hannelore, Barb, and Pam
May our loving thoughts and prayers reach you. As the caregivers of your mom, we are blown away by the news that you are not with us anymore. We will always remember the kindness that you have given to each of us and your warmest smile. You have our greatest appreciation from our hearts to all that you have done to us. You brought love, inspiration, laughter, joy, loyalty, and generosity whenever you came and visit all of us at Long Beach, CA. We deeply miss you, but we know that somewhere in heaven you are the angel of our lives and the happiest soul there can be. We love you so very much!
Loving you,
Nida
Mercy
Zayna
Precy
Lyra
Lea
Elvie
Florence
Elizabeth
Most importantly she was a wonderful friend for over 40 years and I will never forget her beautiful big eyes, sweet smile and her fun easy going personality
I am so grateful she and I talked on the phone in early February since we hadn’t spoken in several years Busy lives and a thousand miles can make those “catching up” phone calls too infrequent. I did not know she was having health issues and she didn’t mention it I am so thankful our last conversation ended with “Luv Ya’s”
Thanks PJ for enriching my life and so many others lives as well!
Luv Ya Darwin
Leave a Tribute
Please be patient.
Please be patient.
Please be patient.
PJ liked to use the theme of LIBERTY on some of the floats, and that increased our feeling of patriotism, as we all cherish the liberty that the United States of America gives us. PJ gave 1000% to every project that she undertook. With a great husband as her support, she contributed her best efforts even when her health was failing. PJ, you will always be in our hearts. We have an everlasting bond with you. With love, Jean Nelson
Memorial Service
At PJ's memorial service, on the 5th of May 2018, there were about 100 people who came to show their love and admiration of her beautiful spirit, in recogniton of her life and sorrow for her passing. Proof that she was well loved and cherished by all of her friends, colleagues and family members. Everyone celebrated her life and many spoke of the great memories they enjoyed with her. It was truly a blessed day and an amazing turnout of all the people who deeply cared for her. It was a bright and sunny day which was a testament to her life.
I met PJ in 2000 when I got involved with the Benton County Republican Party. I have two vignettes that display several of her characteristics.
In the early 2000s I, and others, were helping PJ prepare a float for the Veterans Day parade. PJ, as usual, was working meticulously. As the afternoon dragged on and helpers started leaving, I began to wonder when we would be finished and tried to get PJ to hurry because I felt guilty leaving her to finish the job. PJ gave me a very dirty look. I then realized that PJ was going to do what PJ was going to do, and that was to make that float as perfect as she could possibly make it. I left and never felt guilty again about leaving PJ to finish a job.
Several years later, PJ, Stella Guenther, and I were reorganizing the Republican storage trailer. I had to lift a heavy piece of lattice and place it on two hooks on the wall. I got the lattice up on the wall but it was not level – not that it had to be. PJ looked at the lattice, wrinkled her nose, and said, “John’s work”. At that point, I realized that she expects everyone else to do things to her standards. I leveled the lattice.
PJ was very skilled at her craft. Her work was nearly perfect and she expected the same from others. She was a loyal steadfast Republican, a fierce patriot, a gracious beautiful lady, and a very dear friend. I, and many others, will miss her a great deal.
John H. Detweiler