Priscilla Joan Raver

Everyone wishes that their lives could be regularly enriched with those rare “pennies from heaven” – small moments of unexpected kindness and joy to brighten our path and lighten our souls. Up until October 8, 2025 the friends and family of Penny Raver didn’t have to look hard for their treasures, as they had their own shiny, bright “Penny” who enhanced their lives for the past 83 years with her tenacity, strength, beauty, laughter, and most importantly, her unwavering love for her family and friends. Whether she was delivering a heartfelt, home-grown bouquet of flowers, or sharing a kind word to a friend in need, Penny’s warmth touched everyone she met, making an immediate and lasting impact.

Priscilla Joan Schneider, known affectionately as Penny, was born in Greeley, CO. on September 27, 1942, to Joseph and Alma (Haney) Schneider. Penny and her two brothers Billy Joe and Ricky Jim, were raised in a very close and loving family, which established the foundational value for “family” she held dear throughout her life.

The family moved from Greeley CO to Selah WA when Penny was 3 years old and her parents managed the Selah Hotel, later opening up Alma’s Café. Between the restaurant, hotel and going through the Selah schools, Penny became well-established in the Selah community. When Penny was 12 years old, her dad purchased a charter boat in Westport and named it the “Mahto” after the town of Mahto, South Dakota, which held a special place in their hearts. Time spent on the boat started Penny’s life-long love of the sea, and especially of fishing.

Penny met Ronnie Edward Raver, the love of her life and knight in shining armor in February 1959 in art class at Selah High School. The couple married in June 1959 in Walla Walla, WA. They moved into an apartment on Naches Avenue in Yakima, and shortly after they moved near Penny’s parents in Selah WA. They started a family in 1960 with the birth of their first child, Cheryl Ann Raver. Their family expanded over the next several years with the birth of their son Ronald Edward Raver and daughter Dawnica Marie Raver.

The family moved to Pasco for a couple of years for Ron’s job at Boise Cascade Paper Mill, later moving back to Selah. Those early years were filled with extended family, lots of adventures and get-togethers. So many memories were made with aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents, including snowmobiling, water-skiing, camping, crabbing and many other activities.

Ron and Penny were married for 66 years, and they spent much of their time together, holding hands and instilling in their children (and later their grandchildren) a deep love and appreciation for each other, their family, the great outdoors, adventure, and travel. Penny held a variety of positions, including working at Tree Top, serving as President for Ronco Inc. and raising a variety of plants and flowers in her own nursery.

Ron was an entrepreneur and investor. At approximately 35 years of age, the couple became “snowbirds” and began traveling in earnest. They spent 13 summers in Alaska, and in 80’s and 90’s they traveled across the USA and to other countries including but not limited to, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, Fiji, and Jamaca. They also took trips to Disneyland, Disney World and multiple Disney cruises with their kids and grandkids.

As their children grew older and left home, Penny found new ways to share her love of family through travel and special traditions. She enjoyed spending months fishing at Fish Lake. She was proud of the fact she could “out-fish” everyone, a fact highlighted in a brochure for Silver King Fishing Lodge in British Columbia. Over the years, Penny and Ron renewed and expanded their US travel experiences to include their grandchildren Austin, Spencer, Skyler and Kami, for whom they also bought a beach house at Ocean Park. The beach house created the perfect family get-away, and Penny loved utilizing it all year-round.

While Penny enjoyed traveling, she was also a dedicated mother and grandmother who adored her children and grandchildren, embracing every moment with them. She volunteered for Campfire from 1972-1974, and she helped the girls raise enough money to take a 7-day trip through the San Juan Islands. Penny enthusiastically supported her grandchildren’s endeavors at every opportunity. She was also an active member of the Eagles, and other civic organizations.

Penny thrived in her role as Grandma Penny aka “Grams”. She spent weeks camping with her grandsons at Leach Lake enjoying fishing and other outdoor activities. She was a role model for all of her grandkids in so many ways, from creating and delivering bouquets from her nursery and gardens to residents at Selah Convalescent, to hosting annual family holiday baking events. She taught her grandchildren through her own examples what it means to give back to the community and to lend a helping hand when needed. She demonstrated her love and affection for her “knight” and enjoyed the life they shared. She was grateful for her blessings and instilled her gratitude in the next generation.

Besides her family, Penny was extremely grateful for her friends. She treasured her close friendships with Bev Gabbard and Judy Jones, and the countless activities they shared. Penny and Judy walked and biked miles around Selah and Yakima, sharing daily 5am coffees and early morning swims. Penny and Bev traveled together and had a standing dinner date every Wednesday for 45 years. They shared stories, holidays and special memories that will never be forgotten by their families, including an 11-hour drive to Anacortes which included a stop at every bakery along the way.

Penny’s presence turned ordinary days into those treasured memories and her wisdom guided those around her through challenges both great and small. Penny’s generosity was often not measured in grand gestures, but in the steady warmth of a reassuring hand, a hearty laugh shared at just the right moment, or the simple comfort of her attentive listening. Those who knew her found their burdens lessened, their joys increased, and their journeys illuminated by her compassion. In every season of her well-lived life, Penny embodied the spirit to make a lasting difference—reminding us that it only takes a shiny “Penny” to illuminate true riches found in the love we give and receive.

“When I am gone, may it be said, I pulled a weed and planted a flower instead”,

Penny Raver was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, her daughter Dawnica Raver, her son Ronald Raver, her grandson Skyler Hammond and her nieces Tracy and Susan Schneider. She is survived by her husband Ronnie Raver, her daughter Chery Ann Raver, her grandchildren Austin (Kaitlyn) Raver, Spencer Hammond, and Kami Raver, her great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of the life of Penny will be held on November 22, 2025 from 1:30-4:30pm at Canyon River Lodge, 14700 State Rt. 821, Ellensburg 98926. Please follow event parking signs (no parking in front of Canyon Grill).

Penny requested any remembrance donations be made to the American Cancer Society.