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Velma Avalon Seely was born to Frank Seely and Mamie Trask Seely April 1, 1922 in Pedro, SD. She attended school in a one-room school house with five other students. At the age of 12, she crossed the Cheyenne on horseback herding cattle. She said that her uncle put her up to it. After graduating from high school, she relocated to Long Beach, CA to work in the shipyards. She also worked in the Portland shipyards where her younger brother Frankie (17) was killed in an accident. At this time, she joined the Coast Guard. She was stationed in New York City and this is where she met Don MacNaughton. He has been stationed in Adak in the Aleutians in Alaska. They married in Washington DC on Christmas Eve in 1945. They returned to Spokane and a daughter (Linda) was born November 20, 1946 at Fort George Wright where Spokane Falls Community College is now located. A son (Tom) was welcomed April 25, 1949. A second son (Ronald) was welcomed April 1, 1951. He passed away at the age of nine months. While living in Helena, MT, the family had lots of fun--camping, fishing, cutting Christmas trees (they were always too tall). The family left Montana in 1958 to relocate to Davenport, Iowa for two years for Don's job. Returning to Spokane in 1960, Val enjoyed her time with Northwood Presbyterian Church, involving herself with Meals on Wheels and Bible stuff. This was very important to her and met many friends for life. She also enjoyed working for School District 81 as a teacher's assistant working with third graders. She also belonged to PEO. Many years were spent with family and friends at Loon Lake.
The surviving members: sister Twyla of Burlington, WA, Linda of Spokane; Tom and Monica of Equador, grandchildren Josh of Colorado, Jessica of Seattle and Sean of Florida and numerous nieces and nephews.
Val was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Mamie, husband Don, sister Phyllis, brother Frankie, and son Ronnie.
A memorial service will be held at Northwood Presbyterian Church, 6721 N. Monroe, August 23, 2011 at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to a charity of your choice.
Published online by the Heritage Funeral Home & Crematory
[Great-great-granddaughter of SGS # 3052 - Velma Avalon; Frank Lee; Lucius Alexander; Stephen Bishop; Bishop (# 3052); Stephen Bishop (# 1323); John; John S; Obadiah; Obadiah; Obadiah]
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