VELDA RICHARDS

Velda Inez (Vink) Richards August 14, 1918 - March 27, 2012 Velda was born in Grandview, Washington, the daughter of Inez (Dunnington) Vink (who had journeyed west to join her uncles Arthur, David and William Denny) and Dutch immigrant rancher Arie Vink. Velda attended elementary school in Grandview, then graduated from Puyallup High School in 1937. In 1944 she married prominent Tacoma photographer Nelson Richards. Velda worked with Nelson and his brothers at the Richards Studio, becoming an accomplished portrait and wedding photographer and, in 1959, manager of the Richard's Villa Plaza Portrait Studio. Velda and Nelson's only child, Steven, was born in 1950. Velda was widowed when Nelson died in 1980. A research medical technologist, Steven died in 1986. Velda did not allow these heartbreaking losses to diminish her loving spirit and warm smile. She traveled widely and, to her last day, enjoyed playing cards, gardening, singing, and especially spending time with extended family. Velda is survived by four generations of loving nieces and nephews. Memorial donations may be made to Pacific Northwest Diabetes Research Institute. Interment will be at Mountain View Cemetery, Friday, April 13, 3:30pm.