Nelly DeLena Schneider

Nelly was born in Mount Vernon Washington, August 27,1914. She passed away June 11, 2013 at the age of 98.

While her father was in seminary the family lived in Eugene, Oregon and then moved to Wallowa, Oregon where he had a pastorate. Her father died when she was thirteen, and the family returned to Mount Vernon to be near relatives.

Nelly moved to Seattle in her early twenties where she met her future husband, Ed who was a merchant seaman. They were married May of 1943. Since they both lived in rooming houses they needed a place to live together so Ed bought their first home in West Seattle. Because of his experience as a merchant seaman Ed joined the navy during World War II, and she helped in the war effort working at Boeing.

She became a full time homemaker when the twins were born in 1950. In reminiscing about how hectic life must have been at this time, Nelly would say she always loved being a mother. As the twins got a little older she and Ed would pack them up and take off with their trailer to camp sites in the mountains. There are numerous pictures of them with friends and family around the campfire.

When the twins were on their own Nelly did office work in down town Seattle not retiring until she was 70 years old. After retirement she and Ed set off in his Volkswagen bus to visit relatives in various parts of the United States.

Nelly spent the last seven years of her life in the Bothell-Kirkland area to be near family. Her smile and pleasant personality endeared her to the staff at the Adult Family Home where she lived.

Nelly was predeceased by her husband Edward and their two children Jay and Marlene. She is survived by Grandson Tyler Schneider and his mother Melanie Money of Walla Walla, nieces Barbara De Angelis of Kent, Brooke Stevens of Kirkland, nephews Ronald Petelle of Seattle, and Gordon Petelle of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan and their families.

Despite the loss of significant loved ones, Nelly maintained a positive outlook on life. She will be lovingly remembered as a gracious and compassionate lady.

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