Lylah Harriet (Corneliuson) Peavy, 87

Lylah Harriet (Corneliuson) Peavy, 87, The Memory Keeper, was born Mar. 29, 1923, in North Branch, Minn. As she was in life, she passed peacefully and without drama on July 27, 2010. She grew up in Kalispell and graduated from Flathead County High School, but became a northwest girl when she moved to Seattle to work at Boeing during World War II. There she met Jack; they were married at Denny Park Lutheran Church, where she was still a member, and started a life together that spanned 56 years until Jack s death. Jack and Lylah moved to Salem, Ore., where they started their family; Sundra Jo, born in 1946, and Kristi Anne, born in 1948. Lylah worked at the Health Department in Salem for many years, as well as at home, keeping us all clean, fed and nurtured. In 1956 the family moved back to Seattle, where she went to work at Seattle General Hospital. She was also active in Girl Scouts and P.T.A., and of course making sure we all had the love and generosity she was famous for. Lylah retired from Pacific N.W. Bell in 1987. In retirement, Lylah and Jack enjoyed working in their yard, bowling, taking road trips and spoiling their grandchildren. Family was everything to Lylah. It was always very important to Lylah to keep the memories of the old times and keep up with the events of the new times. She would document every day on her calendar and it was always a challenge to find a calendar with big enough squares for her to use. Everyone in the family knew they could just pick up a phone and call her and she would be able to tell them what was going on. She could remember things that most of us had forgotten. Most of the information was kept in her head; so you see, we have lost a very important part of our family. If you met Lylah, you were a friend for life. She was very unique in her open acceptance of everyone and genuine caring. She spent her last five years at Scriber Gardens Retirement Home, making friends, playing bingo and cards, going on the weekly outings and running their store. Lylah was also well known for her poems, costumes and sense of humor. She will be missed by all her friends there as well as her lifetime pals from Kalispell, Salem and Seattle. Lylah is survived by her two daughters, Sunny McNett and Dan, and Kristi Adams and Dave; her grandchildren, Troy Gleeson, Brent Gleeson, Heidi Kelly and Brock, Tricia Adams and Andrew Knee, Carrie Goetz and Mike; and great-grandchildren, Katie Gleeson, Emma Kelly, Desivie Daniels, and Alivia and Jacob Goetz; many nieces and nephews; and three sisters-in law. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Peavy; and her five siblings, Hazel, Royal, Bert, Chet and Helen. Services will be held at 3 p.m. on Aug. 7, at Evergreen Washelli Chapel, 11111 Aurora Ave. N., in Seattle, reception following. You may view or add to an online memorial at www.washelli.com. Donations in Lylah s name may be made to A.L.S. Division of M.D.A., 701 Dexter Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109, in memory of Jack W. Peavy.