FRANCES ELIZABETH WILLEY

1916 - 2011

Born January 18, 1916, Frances Willey passed quietly March 31, 2011 in her LaConner home of thirty-five years at the age of 95.

Frances was sixth of seven siblings brought into this world by parents Thomas and Teresa Pavlic of Barberton OH. At age seven, the family moved to a farm in Rittman OH where Frances attended primary grades in a one-room schoolhouse and proudly graduated third in her 1933 class of Rittman High School. In the midst of the Great Depression, Frances attended business school and found employment as a bookkeeper with the Hoover Company for many years.

It was 1942, while on a dusty train headed to New Jersey, that she met her future husband Harlow Willey. By the mere gesture of providing a clean seat on the train, he caught her eye and throughout World War II they kept in contact while Harlow was stationed overseas. Upon his return, they wed in 1945 at a private ceremony held in Grants Pass OR. Employment after the war took them to many small towns in Eastern Washington and Oregon. Yearning for the Pacific Northwest, they moved to Mount Vernon in 1951. Here they owned the iconic Willey TV and Appliance found on Main Street in downtown Mount Vernon for over twenty years. Their store, next to Bert Robinson's, combined TV sales with Hammond Music at one point. They also owned a TV antenna rental business in the days before cable. This proved to be an exciting time in her life and led to many friendships.

Frances is immediately survived by her three children: Peggy (David) Gerosin, Olympia, Clyde (Kathy) Willey, LaConner, Ray (Georgia) Willey, Anacortes and sister Margaret Marshand of N. Canton OH; grandchildren include: Alyssa Willey, Mount Vernon, Kianoa (Eva) Willey, HI and Aleka Willey, HI as well as nieces Claudia Libby, Oak Harbor, Kathleen Tooke, Seattle, Joanne Coudreau , Smithville OH and niece Patricia (Pavlic) and nephew Michael (Pavlic).

Preceding her death were husband Harlow (1994), first child John (died upon birth), brother Lt. Commander Milton Pavlic, sisters Mollie Kindig, Teresa Landers, Julia Gaynor and Mary Pavlic.

Proudly a member of the Sacred Heart Church of LaConner for many years, Frances was a kind and generous person willing to go out of her way to help others in need. Truly, Frances' compassion will be missed by all she touched. As remembrance she asked that no flowers be sent but rather share your sympathy in her memory with Sacred Heart Building Fund and the Friendship House.
Upon her request, no services will be held.

Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home.