AN EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMAN

Born June 12, 1923 to Margaret Devlin Niven and Stephen James Niven, Steve was the oldest of four children.

Predeceased by his parents and brother Raymond Jerome, he is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Edna; their four children, Joanne, Amy, Stephen Jr. and Daniel; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and his sisters, Lorraine Ruhl and Margaret McNelis.

Stephen J. Niven, who graced this Earth for the past 87 years, died March 8th after complications from a fall near his home in Mount Vernon.

Born in a tenement in the Bronx on June 12, 1923, our Dad was an outstanding student and athlete at DeWitt Clinton High School, and met his future wife when they both worked at the Wall Street law firm Sullivan and Cromwell.

Enlisting in the US Marine Corps, he served with distinction in the Pacific during World War II. After the war, Steve and Edna settled first in Massachusetts, then moved to Pennsylvania, Washington DC, and California as their family grew and fortunes rose while Steve worked as a sales manager for Springs Mills, Inc.

In California, Steve enjoyed sailing, gardening, and traveling, and he acquired a taste for modern art, fine wine, and theater. After retiring from Spring Mills, Steve and Edna moved to LaConner in 1989 where Steve became active in the Kiwanis Club, eventually becoming its president and leading several community fundraisers and supervising the building of the John Hammer playground.
They moved to Mount Vernon in 2005 to be closer to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, where Steve was a very active member and church community leader.

Although his health was declining in the months leading up to his fall, Steve made it clear that he knew his life had been full, fascinating, and fortunate. He was one half of one of the great love stories of the 20th and 21st centuries, and his devotion to Edna was inspiring to all that saw them together. Steve was lucky enough to find his true love as a teenager, and his marriage to Edna was the greatest success in his very successful life. Not long before he passed away, Steve looked deep in her eyes and said, "I'm not going anywhere without you." Well, on March 8th he did - but his warmth, kindness, quick wit, charm, wisdom, and tremendous generosity have been left to everyone who was fortunate enough to know him - and his presence will go everywhere with them. His character and his influence on his children was powerful and profound, and they will never walk without him. Steve often ended his very entertaining letters to friends and family with the message "Be kind to each other." A very simple notion that was a very large part of him. The world is a little darker now that he's moved on, but we are blessed that he will forever be a part of us.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Mount Vernon, WA or the charity of your choice.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 2, 2011, 3:00 pm at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Mount Vernon.

Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Skagit Valley Herald from Mar. 15 to Mar. 16, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for STEPHEN NIVEN

6 Entries

April 2, 2011

Edna - What a wonderful man. Always optimistic and always ready to take on any project. When I was the humble Mayor of La Conner, Steve led his band of Kiwanis members in many improvement projects. He never judged people; he always embraced them. I shall miss him. Dan O'Donnell

Kevin Haley

April 2, 2011

Uncle Steve will always live in my memory as the kind of man you should aspire to be. As kids, whenever we stayed at Aunt Edna and Uncle Steve's house, he would always see to it that we had fun things to do. He would take us to the Smithsonian. He would take us on drives to see the monuments. He would even take us to a local festival if he thought we would enjoy it. And, to top things off, when we would get up in the morning, he would make you anything you wanted for breakfast.
And I mean if someone wanted eggs, they got eggs, if you wanted French toast, you got it. All the kids got whatever they wanted. He always made a visit a special time for us.
As we got older, I remember listening to Uncle Steve tell stories to whoever was at the table or sitting in the living room after a really good holiday dinner. He had such a way of telling a story. I wouldn't say he had the "gift of gab", it was more like the "art of speaking". Genuine, as Jeff said, is a perfect word to describe him.
I will always remember his laugh, his smile and his love for family, immediate and extended.
Although we only saw him a few times a year, Uncle Steve will always occupy a special place in my heart until I see him again.

March 31, 2011

March 31,2011

Steve will always be "my favorite Brother-in-law". My life will be different knowing that he is no longer among us. However, someday I know we will meet again and that gives me something to look forward to.
Love Barbara (his favorite Sister-in-law.)
us

Mike Haley

March 30, 2011

Aunt Edna, Skip, Joanne, Dan and Amy:

My memories of my Uncle Steve are very long. I remember when he took us all sleding in PA. and rushed us all home so that we would not miss Peter Pan. Another day with his car stuck in a snow bank he asked me to get in and drive while he pushed. I was 9 years old! In my career as a sales manager I often called on Uncle Steve with business scenarios and came away with new perspectives. My wife Pat and children Stephanie, Kimberly and Patrick all carry pleasant memories of Uncle Steve. He will always be a part of my life as will all of you.
Love, Mike and Pat

Jeff Haley

March 28, 2011

Uncle Steve will always be "my favorite uncle"! As one of three of his nephews I can say that he did have a great impact on my life, as well as the rest of my family's lives; perhaps greatest of all (on my side) my daughter Kirsten's life. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to tell my uncle last year how I felt about him. I was able to tell him that I loved him and that he was the kind of man other men (like myself) hope to become. He was the most genuine, caring man I have ever met. I'm glad I had the opportunity to tell him how I felt. My wife and I were glad to be there for Aunt Edna when the time came. I'm saddened by losing him and so grateful he was part of my life. But then, who isn't?
We'll miss you Uncle Steve.
Love,
Jeff, Lori, Kirsten and Cole

March 21, 2011

Dear Edna and Family,
There will always be just one "Steve", there is no way I could ever forget what an incredible man he was and so much fun. Our sailing experiences together still make me smile. How blessed we were to have been a part of your lives as well. I know that my beloved Stacy felt the same. I can only pray that those two stay out of trouble when they once again meet. Love to you all.........K

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