Alice Almas Guyer

Almas Alice (Bournazian) Guyer

August 18, 1935-June 19, 2025

Pullman, WA - Almas Alice Guyer, formerly of Sunnyside, WA, passed away in the early afternoon on Thursday, June 19th, 2025 at the age of 89.

Alice was born on August 18th, 1935 to Armenian immigrants Sarkis Bournazian and Almas (Halejian) Bournazian in Boston, Mass. She was the youngest of six children born to Armenain Genocide survivors, a fact which she carried as a badge of pride her entire life, and passed on to her children and grandchildren. She would lose her eldest brother, Seaman Second Class Paul Bournazian, stationed on the USS Hugh L. Scott, who was KIA at sea in 1943 during WWII. Alice spent much of her time attending Fenway Park to watch the Boston Red Sox. She had a knack for timing when the players would take the train to get their autographs. Once, she even figured out what hospital room Ted Williams was in after an injury - Williams invited her and her friend into his room for a visit after he recognized her from all the autograph sessions. As the story goes, he offered them chocolate, which melted in her hand because she was too nervous to eat it in front of him. Alice’s laugh as she would relive the story was the best part of the memory. She spent all of her childhood within the Greater Boston area, graduating from Roxbury High School for Girls in 1953. She used her knowledge from her business degree to work payroll for Conrad’s Department store until her marriage in 1954.

Freddie and Alice’s love story almost never happened. They met while Fred was stationed in Boston after several fellow Navy crewmen convinced him to attend a monthly dance. Their planned first date had them meeting at a café, but both had a different one in mind. Thankfully, they ran into each other again, figured out the confusion, and the rest was history. Fred would joke that Alice was the only thing in the Greater Boston area that he really liked. Her sisters helped her convince their father that Fred was Alice’s soulmate, regardless of how different he seemed or that he was an “Odar” (not Armenian). They were married August 7th, 1954.

Fred’s Navy career kept them in Boston until his honorary discharge in 1954. From there, they moved to Pullman, Washington where Alice worked in the Agricultural Department producing bulletins for the Ag Extension while Fred attended Washington State College (later Washington State University) to earn a degree in Electrical Engineering. After much faith and a little medical assistance, they had their first child, Karen, in 1957. Freddie II followed in 1959, Allen in 1960, William in 1962, Linda in 1963, John in 1965, Laura in 1966, Craig in 1968, and Andrew in 1972. Fred’s new career as an Engineer, especially working with nuclear reactors, would move the family multiple times across the country: Kennewick, WA, Las Vegas, NV, Bethel Park, PA (this is also where the family gained an unshakable love for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Steelers, and Penguins), Waukegan, IL, and finally to Sunnyside, WA. Alice made the house on the corner of Factory and Harrison a home for years, creating beautiful flower and vegetable gardens, as well as helping children and eventually grandchildren build their individual interests. Fred and Alice would move to a smaller home on the same property they raised their family, before moving to Carnation and later to Issaquah. Upon losing Fred, Alice returned to Pullman until her passing.

Alice had an unshakable faith in the Lord, and was the reason Fred’s faith was possible. This faith was extremely tested through the emotional and financial hardship of daughter Laura’s birth and year-long medical struggle, and eventual passing before she turned one year old. They spent the better part of 40 years attending Sunnyside United Methodist Church; both actively involved with different aspects of church leadership. They were able to renew their wedding vows on their 60th wedding Anniversary with the majority of their family present.

Alice was a lover of many things: John Denver, the Celtics, hot fudge sundaes with EXTRA fudge, cats, birds, her family, her Armenian heritage, God, flowers (especially lilacs and roses), fresh hot fries, an occasional slot machine, powdered donuts, Neil Diamond, Celtic Thunder, the Boston Red Sox, Boston Red Sox great Ted Williams (even skipping school one day to get his autograph), and just watching her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids in whatever pursuit they were attempting. She had an incredible knack for making friends wherever she went and creating lasting connections to those who knew her. Alice spent her life caring for everyone else, making sure they had what they needed to be happy, safe, and whole. In the end, she just wanted to be whole again herself and go home to her soulmate.

Alice Guyer is survived by eight of her children, and numerous grand and great-grandchildren: Karen Griebling (Jerry, children Dan (Megan and daughter Violet), Mike (Kimberly and daughter Hazel), Laura (Eddie and son Arlo), and Ariel (Jason)), Pullman, WA; Fred (Patty, children Richard (Taylor and children Aubrey and Ellis), Patrick, and Danielle), Leming Island, FL; Allen (Alaina and children Kayla (Jonathan and children River, Hazel, Rider, and Jonathan Jr.), Hannah, and Chase (Kira and sons Leo and Andrei), Ripley, WV; Bill and sons David (Anna and daughter Noah) and Jacob, Carnation, WA; Linda Dezellem (Todd and children Bailey (Mike and daughter Morgan, Ashley, Trey (Samantha and son Brayton), and Drew (Sage)), Brewster, WA; John (Jaime and children Nickolaus “Nicko” (Denise and children Ezra, Emmaline, Elliot, and Ethan), Gracey (Alex and children AJ and Evie), Zackary, Abigail, Joshua, SarahGrace, and Jackson), Raleigh, NC; Craig (children Sevena, Griffin, Athena, and Gaea), Seattle, WA; and Andy (children Isabelle and Angus), Bothell, WA. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Alice is preceded in death by her parents, Sarkis and Almas Bournazian, daughter Laura, and her siblings Paul, Violet, George, Mary, and Rosie.

Alice will be interned with the love of her life at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00P.M, July 26th, 2025 at SEL Event Center, 1825 Schweitzer Dr, Pullman, WA 99163.  We wish to honor her memory by wearing florals or bright colors, reminiscent of the gardens she tended to so meticulously and lovingly her entire life. The seeds she planted will continue to grow for generations to come.