Ardeth Ann Overbay

Ardeth Ann Overbay, age 90 of Mill Creek, Washington passed away peacefully on February 17, 2025 surrounded by loving family. Ardeth was born to Bernice Beryl Caverly and Milo Sylvester Towner on February 11, 1935 in Chehalis, Washington. Ardeth moved to Bend, Oregon at the age of 8 and graduated from Bend High School in May of 1953. She met James Overbay in 8th grade in Bend and their first date was climbing Mt. Bachelor. They attended Oregon State University together in 1953, married in December, and Ardeth transitioned to working as secretary to the English department. Ardeth and Jim raised five children together, moving every 2 to 5 years across the United States as Jim’s career advanced. They semi-retired in Mill Creek in 1994 and recently met an incredible milestone of 71 years of marriage. Ardeth was driven to attend various colleges and universities while balancing family, including Black Hills State College in Spearfish, South Dakota, George Washington University in Washington DC, and University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland (earning a BA in Speech and English). Her earlier work included teaching at a private college, and becoming a litigation paralegal. Ardeth was an artist throughout her life, studying painting under several private teachers, attending Corcoran School of Art in Washington DC, and achieving a Bachelor in Fine Arts in 1998 at the age of 63 from Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. She painted primarily in oils, focusing on the objects of everyday life (landscapes, flowers, still life) and color intensity to create space as a new way to appreciate and view life’s surroundings. She has had numerous gallery exhibitions and was a regular contributor to the Museum of Northwest Art. Ardeth was a loving, sweet wife, sister, mom and grandma and will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by both parents, sister Ione Jorgensen, brother Loyst Towner, and brother Leland Towner. Ardeth is survived by her husband James, brother Ralph, son David (Kendall), son Milo, daughter Debra, son Derrick (Linda), son Darrell (Shannon), ten grandchildren (Ryann, Kyla, Collin, Shelby, Keighley, Keaton, Maiah, Sage, Miko, Jameson) and 3 great grandchildren Finley, Kaelyn, and Esme.

A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held at the Cedar Cross Methodist Church in Mill Creek on Saturday March 8 at 10:00am. Please visit www.floralhillslynnwood.com to leave your condolences on Ardeth’s online guestbook.