Clear, 61° F
(Oct. 3, 2007)
Graveside memorial services will be conducted Wednesday, Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. at Crown Hill Cemetery in Powell for Velma Whitney, 86, who died Thursday, Sept. 27 at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings, Mont.
The long-time Powell resident had just returned home from nine months in California where she had been staying to be near her daughters.
She was born Feb. 12, 1921, in Humble, Texas, the daughter of Willie M. and Minnie J. Ivy. She married Owen Solomon Feb. 18, 1937, in Corsicana, Texas. Later she married Leonard Whitney on Dec. 28, 1963, in Powell.
She enjoyed music, painting, sewing and skiing. She was the church organist for many years at Church of the Nazarene and volunteered her musical abilities to play the organ and piano for community events and for the nursing home for many years. She also played in the Senior Citizens Kitchen Band. She was a master seamstress.
At the age of 50, she took up skiing. After retirement from employment in the Powell Hospital Food Service and from skiing, she enjoyed oil painting and crafts.
Survivors include three daughters, Joyce (Paul) Forsee of Pasadena, Calif., Sylvia (Leroy) Hyatt of Lewiston, Idaho, and Dory Solomon of San Diego, Calif.; a daughter-in-law, Patricia Solomon; a brother, Bill (Doris) Ivy of Meridian, Idaho; a sister-in-law, Freddie Ivy of Puyallup, Wash.; four grandchildren, Leane Forsee of Tujunga, Calif., Brent Forsee of Monrovia, Calif., Kevin (Gretchen) Hyatt and Trevis Hyatt, both of Spokane, Wash.; and two great-grandchildren, Tyler and Lauren Hyatt of Spokane.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Leonard Whitney and Owen Solomon; a son, Gene Solomon; a grandson, Shannon Solomon; and brother, Jack Ivy.
Viewing will be today (Tuesday) from 5 to 7 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home. The Rev. Roger Slack will officiate at services Wednesday.
For those who wish, memorial donations to the church or charity of choice would be appreciated by the family.
