VELVA MARIE (JEAN) CROWELL

Wasilla resident Velva Marie (Jean) Crowell, 83, died July 27, 2003, at Valley Hospital in Palmer.

A celebration of life will be held at her daughter's home in Wasilla on Sunday, Aug. 3, at 2 p.m.

Mrs. Crowell was born Nov. 7, 1919, in Ledwedge, Ark. She came to Alaska in 1966 and fell in love with the beauty of the state.

She started her own printing business and eventually went to work for the state of Alaska Printing Department, from which she retired in 1985. She was also a volunteer firefighter for the state in younger years. She loved to fish, camp and go for rides in the country.

Her family said, "She's loved by many and will be missed by all."

She had three children by John H. Crowell (deceased), nine grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and was expecting the 13th this December.

She was preceded in death by a son, Donald W. Crowell and a grandson, John E. Crowell.

Survivors are a daughter, June Hewitt; son, Thomas W. Crowell; daughters-in-law, Delia Crowell and Rachel M. Crowell; grandchildren, Cheryl D. Sonnentag, Donna J. Knowles, Yvonne Trihub, Jeanne R. Bettencourt, Brian K. Hewitt, James T. Crowell, Elena M. Lucarelli, Julie A. Crowell; great-grandchildren, Justin L. Sonnentag, Candace Orlando, Charlene Orlando, Shelby Sonnentag, Tyler Sonnentag, Haley Sonnentag, Breanna Bettencourt, Chantel Bettencourt, Kyle Knowles, Gideon Crowell, Chantel Gagnon and Melissa Lucarelli.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory.