Elizabeth May (Edwards) Seeley (1923 - 2013)
Elizabeth May (Edwards) Seeley
Sept 12, 1923 - Nov 6, 2013
Resident of Walnut Creek
Elizabeth May (Edwards) Seeley, aged 90, of Walnut Creek, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 6, 2013, surrounded by her family.
Libby was born on September 12, 1923, the seventh of eight children to Carl D. Edwards and Dorothea B. (Greenwood) Edwards in Manhattan Beach, California. She spent her youth at the beach and graduated from Redondo Beach High School in 1941. During WWII, she rolled up her sleeves, donned coveralls and became a "Rosie the Riveter" at Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach, churning out airplanes throughout the war. In her off hours she indulged in one of her greatest pleasures - dancing to the big bands at the Aragon and Palladium ballrooms.
She married her childhood sweetheart, Carl J. R. Seeley (also the seventh of eight children) after he returned from the war in 1946. Carl began his career at Standard Oil of California and they settled in Manhattan Beach surrounded by their extensive family. They had four children and remained in Manhattan Beach until Carl was transferred to Northern California in 1962, when they moved to Walnut Creek. Following Carl's retirement from Chevron, they moved to Santa Rosa to enjoy their grandchildren. Libby returned to Walnut Creek (Rossmoor) in 2004 after Carl's passing.
Libby worked throughout her marriage, first at Metlox Pottery and family-run Edwards Brothers Market in Manhattan Beach, then 20 years at Emporium-Capwell in Walnut Creek. Her family was her first priority, however, and she was always active in the PTA, supporting their scouting, sports and artistic pursuits. She had a gregarious, fun-loving spirit and made friends easily. She loved to sing, dance and entertain - nothing gave her greater pleasure than to see her guests enjoying themselves. Her passion for painting developed post-retirement and the walls of her home (and those of friends and family) boasted many examples of her talent.
Even at 90, Libby maintained a vast circle of beloved friends. She is survived by her sister, Barbara Burgess of Torrance, CA; and brother, Mack (Joan) Edwards of Springville, CA. She leaves behind her four children: sons Mark (Cindy) Seeley of St. Paul, MN, Brien (Anne) Seeley of Santa Rosa, CA, and Tim (former daughter-in-law Anne) Seeley also of Santa Rosa, CA; and daughter, Barbara (Jack) Bontemps of Orinda, CA. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Adam (Mandy), Alex, Emma, Damon (Jane), Ellen, Will, Hank (Maria), and Cassie Jane Seeley, and Evan Bontemps; and by five great-grandchildren: Clara, Drew, Julia, Olivia and Felix Seeley.
A Celebration of Life will be held in January. The family requests that gifts in memoriam be made to the John Muir Health Foundation or to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Published in Contra Costa Times on Nov. 23, 2013
[Wife of Grandson of SGS # 2157c - Carl J.R.; Ira Orton; Robert (# 2157c); Ira Orton (#747); Ajacks Tallman/Ajax Talman; Austin; Nehemiah; Robert; Nathaniel; Robert]
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