Opal V. Severance

Opal V. Severance Opal V. Severance, 83, passed away peacefully, with her son at her side, in Scottsdale, Arizona, on March 31, 2005. The daughter of Harry M. and Violet D. Stewart, she was born Opal Violet Stewart in Richwood, Ohio, on July 29, 1921, the fifth of six children. Opal was raised in Sebring, Ohio, and moved to nearby Alliance after she married Robert Henry Severance on July 28, 1940. Opal and her family arrived in Phoenix, Arizona in 1952. She worked as a waitress and as a bookkeeper, and in the 1960's was a partner in Cell's School of Cosmotology in Tempe, where she earned a license to practice hairdressing. Opal served as Vice President of the family business, Mercury Tool and Manufacturing, until her retirement in 1987. An expert bowler, Opal served as an officer of Phoenix Women's Bowling Association and was a longtime member of the Women's International Bowling Congress. She also raised champion poodles, collected Hummel figurines, rare dolls and exotic seashells; designed two houses from the ground up; painted dozens of original oil paintings; created scores of ceramic artworks; and travelled to Mexico, Tahiti, Japan, Canada, China, South Korea and the Carribbean. Opal enjoyed playing cards with close friends and spending quiet evenings at home with her family. She was preceded in death by her sisters Starling Stewart, Garnet Flickenger, and Laura Schmidt; her brother, Everett Stewart; her husband of 48 years, Robert H. Severance; and daughter Judy K. Severance. Opal is survived by her sister, Ruth G. Maag: her sons James C. and Robert W. Severance (a.k.a. Robert X. Planet); her niece, Donna Jean Virden; her goddaughter, Kristina Kent; numerous grand- and great-grand nieces and -nephews; and countless dear friends. Visitation begins at 10a.m. Friday April 8, at Mercer Mortuary's Chapel in the Garden, 1541 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix. Funeral Services follow at 11 am. Entombment is at Green Acres Cemetery, 401 N. Hayden Road in Scottsdale. A reception and exhibit of Opal's artwork follows from 1 to 3 p.m. at Alwun House, 1204 E. Roosevelt in Phoenix. Those unable to attend services may come to the reception. Memorial donations are suggested to the American Diabetes Association (1-800-342-2383).

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