Harriet Marie LeVee

April 8 1921 - March 18 2023

Long time Salem resident Harriet Marie LeVee (Vick) went to her heavenly home peacefully and in the presence of family on March 18, 2023. Harriet was three weeks from turning 102. She greeted each day with enthusiasm and kindness for those around her.

Harriet was born on April 8, 1921 in Salem, Oregon and was the youngest daughter of Charles and Anna Vick. Charles Vick and his brothers operated Salem's first car dealership in the historic Vick Building at 525 Trade Street. As a child, Harriet participated on the Salem May Day court. Harriet graduated from North Salem High School and went on to attend Oregon State University.

While at OSU, mutual friends introduced her to her future husband, Chauncy Wilson LeVee. They were married on April 12, 1941 and set up house in Corvallis. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Chauncy enlisted with the Army Air Force 5th Division. Harriet accompanied Chauncy to California and Georgia for his Army basic training but eventually moved back to Salem to reside with her parents while Chauncy served in the Pacific. While Chauncy was serving overseas, their first child, Janice, was born.

After the war, Harriet and Chauncy went on to live an entrepreneurial life in Salem operating a mobile home park and farming. Harriet maintained the financial records for the couple's businesses. Harriet and Chauncy had 3 additional children; Joan, David, and Jane. As a mother, Harriet was actively engaged in her children's lives and served as a cub scout den mother and girl scout troop leader. For hobbies, Harriet loved cooking and entertaining and hosted large family and friend gatherings. She had a green thumb and enjoyed gardening and preserving produce through canning. She was also a capable seamstress and created clothing for herself and her family.

Together, Harriet and Chauncy enjoyed camping, salmon fishing, traveling, and square dancing. They spent their retirement winters in Desert Hot Springs, California socializing with friends and enjoying the warm weather. They loved spending time at their cabin on the North Fork of the Santiam outside of Salem. After 68 years of marriage, Chauncy passed away in 2009.

Harriet continued to live in Salem until 2016 when she moved to Valley View Retirement Village in McMinnville. Harriet is survived by her 4 children – Janice Graham, Joan Kushner, David LeVee, Jane McDougald – 9 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, elder sister, Bertha, grandson Patrick, and husband Chauncy.

A memorial service celebrating Harriet's life is to be held at Valley View Chapel in McMinnville on April 15, 2023. Harriet and family are profoundly grateful for the caring community at Valley View. Instead of flowers, please consider a gift to Valley View Rock of Ages. Checks can be made out to Rock of Ages Endowment, in memory of Harriet LeVee, and sent to 15600 SW Rock of Ages Road, McMinnville, OR 97128.

Harriet was a loving mother and caring friend, she will be missed.