Lovella Ruth Okell-Fazio's Obituary
Lovella (Poe) Okell-Fazio, daughter of John and Angelique Poe, was born in Poteau, Oklahoma on August 7, 1923. Her father was a coal miner and a farmer, and as such the family was able to successfully weather the Depression years. Lovella was an excellent student and the Valedictorian of her graduating class. She moved to Denver, Colorado after her mother’s death in 1942 and lived with her sister Lucille. Through Lucille’s employment as a nurse at the Remington Arms Company, Lovella was able to obtain an inspectors position at the same company. With World War II raging, Lovella, like many young women of her age, enlisted in a military branch of service to fill the jobs that were being vacated as men were called to service in the European, Mediterranean and Asiatic-Pacific Theaters of Operation. After enlistment in the U.S. Navy Waves in 1943, she rose through the Yeoman ranks, and was a Chief Yeoman when she was discharged in 1946. She continued to serve as an administrator with the VA Medical Center in Palo Alto until her retirement in 1978. Altoghether she acquired 32 years of government service.In the intervening years, she met and fell in love with Herbert Okell. They were married in Portalhurst Presbyterian Church in San Francisco. Their honeymoon was spent at Lake Tahoe, where they continued to vacation every summer. They bought their first home in Westlake in 1950 and lived there for eleven years. Their daughter, Holly Adrienne Okell was born in 1957 and the family of three moved to Sunnyvale for the warmer climate.After visiting the Grass Valley-Nevada City, CA area, Herb and Lovella purchased some acreage on a hillside to build their dream house. In 1978 Herb retired and oversaw the construction of the home while Lovella completed her thirty-second year as a government employee. In the following years, they enjoyed the friendship of many wonderful people and the civic organizations of that area. Lovella was an active member of the PEO Sisterhood Chapter VJ, Aurora Chapter of Eastern Star, Daughters of the Nile, Manzelah Temple, Grass Valley Nile Club and Newcomer’s Club. She also served for 15 years with the SMNH Auxilary. Herb died in 2000 after 54 years of marriage.Lovella married Michael Fazio in 2002. Their four years of marriage were filled with travel, family activities and participation in local organizations. Mike died in Grass Valley in August, 2006. Preceding her in death also were parents John and Angelique; siblings Richard, Charles, Matilda Campbell, John William, Evelyn Lytle and Lucille Noden-Main.She is survived by her daughter Holly (Rob) Seaman; their children, Alisha Seaman Bengtson, Kellen Seaman, Jonah Seaman; great grandchildren Rhys Seaman, Elsa Bengtson, Declan Bengtson, Gareth Bengtson, Caspiean Seaman, Kiernan Seaman, Robbie Seaman; stepdaughter Lorna (Daryl) Paltrow; nieces Charlene Willet, Cherie Campbell, Pam (Lee) Culdice, Lovella (Darth) Miller, Diana (Jim) Cosgrove; nephews Evan Lytle, Joe Poe, Larry Poe, Phil Willet and David Miller.The family is grateful for the care given Lovella by the workers at Lorber Skilled Nursing and VITAS Hospice. Lovella requested there be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to local Hospice programs.
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