Valerie Gene Seath

February 10, 1942 — October 17, 2016

A dear, sweet, kind, lovely, and loving woman passed from this world early Monday, October 17th, 2016.

Valerie Gene Seath was born in Leavenworth, Washington on February 10th, 1942, to Leona Hauff and Gordon Hill. Much of her childhood was spent in Peshastin, Washington, surrounded by family. A grandparent, aunt or uncle was often right next door. Her best friends and playmates were her cousins. Valerie was considered a model child, sweet and obedient, except when her cousins got her into trouble. The eldest by nine years, she was often the caretaker of her younger siblings.

After completing high school in 1960, she moved on to Wenatchee Valley College graduating with an Associate’s degree in 1962. Diploma in hand, she moved with her best pal and dear cousin Nancy to Seattle, joining the typing pool at Boeing. They would drive home most weekends in Valerie’s convertible to visit their families over-the-mountains. Val would also write long letters home each week with tales of her adventures in the big city.

While working at Boeing, Valerie met the love of her life, M. Gene Seath. Thanksgiving weekend, 1966, Gene asked her to move in with him at his home on the north end of Vashon. She showed up the next day with one packed suitcase and never left. Valerie and Gene boated and scuba-dived in the summer and spent the winters skiing. They threw terrific dinner parties for their friends and often had romantic dinners alone seated on cushions in their living room in front of the fire. Valerie became a mother for the first time in February of 1969 with the birth of her daughter, Shannon Marlena. She must have liked the experience because sons Kyle Weston and Tobin Wayne soon followed. Summers were spent on their boat, the Valhalla, and later the ValShannon, cruising the South Sound, the San Juans and up into Canada.

Suddenly and tragically widowed in 1979, Valerie dove into real estate to support herself and her three young children ages 10, 8 and 5. Her favorite clients were first-time home buyers. She loved selling Vashon to newcomers and it tickled her no end when they chose Vashon over Bainbridge or Whidbey. Many, many clients returned to Val when selling or buying. At the height of her career it was impossible for her to make a quick trip to Thriftway—everyone wanted to talk with her. She got to know practically every inch of the island, often exploring raw land on her lunch hour with a collegue, a picnic lunch and her handy machete.

Valerie also dove into her community. Through church and school activities she created a vast network of friends and aquaintances. Valerie was a Campfire leader, and Camp Sealth Summer camp counselor. She was a member of the “Morning Belles” bowling team. She often collected for the March of Dimes but found her real calling as a member of Soroptimist International and later, The Seattle Children’s Guild. A true soccer mom, she was always willing to provide support and encouragement for whatever her children were interested in as well as a warm home to grow and play. Her big house at the north end housed 27 cats, many wonderful summer parties and a swimming pool full of neighbor children. Summer vacations, now, were spent at Lake Chelan. The family would often spend several weeks at Wapato Point Resort often meeting up with other island families. This resulted in a constant scrum of children running in and out of the units and piles and piles of wet swimsuits and towels.

After sending all three of her children to college, Val was able to fulfil her own dreams of traveling. She made many trips to Mexico and Hawaii, adoring the sunshine and the heat! Later in life Valerie gathered together friends and family members for trips to Spain, Italy, and France. Valerie enjoyed cooking, dining out, art, antique furniture, reading spy novels, and of course, shopping!

Perhaps Val’s greatest strength was in maintaining friendships and connecting people to one another. A matchmaker at heart, she never wanted to see anyone alone. She would often throw dinner parties with the sole purpose of introducing two people to each other. She never forgot anyone, sending birthday cards and holiday greetings. She would gather groups of people together for fun activities and outings both large and small, making sure that everyone got out occasionally. Valerie showed her love by giving. She gave her time, her expertise, her ear, and herself over and over and over.

Val was a woman of true grit, a woman able to stand tall in the face of life’s many storms. She will be remembered for her optimism, generosity, and kindness, as a strong business woman, a true friend, and a wonderful mother.

She is survived by her children, Shannon Seath Meyer, Kyle Seath and Tobin Seath; her son-in-law Michael Meyer; two grandchildren Daalny Lucille Meyer and Aine Gene Meyer; her sisters Vicki Patrick, Dawn Goodman and Robin Pomarleau, a niece and nephews, many cousins and dear, dear friends!

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, November 12th, 2 pm at the Bethel Church, 14736 Bethel Lane SW. A reception will follow.