Anita Heely

April 19, 1922 – July 31, 2022

Anita was born April 19, 1922 in La Crescenta, CA. to Georgia (Wilson) from Oklahoma and

Vahan Oundjian from Constantinople, Turkey. Her father, Vahan, later changed this name to

William Vahan Miller, therefore Anita’s maiden name was Anita Miller. At a very early age (6),

she lost her father in a motorcycle accident, leaving her, her older brother Don, and her mother

alone in La Crescenta.

She graduated from Hollywood Professional School in 1939 and soon participated in theater

and stage plays. At 18 years of age, she auditioned for a play for a major role and got it. She

starred in the theater production of “She Lost it in Campeche” held at the Mosart Theater in Los

Angeles.

In the early 40’s, she joined a trick riding company in Van Nuys CA where she learned her

horseback riding skills and ultimately was one of the opening acts that performed at the newly

built Cow Palace in Daly City, CA. She rode with her teammates, Roman Style around the new

stadium at high speed, with all performers standing on the backs of one sleek black horse and

one sleek white horse.

She married Ray Heely in 1948 in Quartzite, AZ. and moved to Paso Robles in 1951. While

residing in Paso Robles for 71 years, she worked for many of the prominent Roblans and

Businesses. Starting in the early 60’s she worked for Otto Van Horn, as a tax preparer. She then

worked for Bill Van Horn with the San Miguel Flouring Mill as a bookkeeper/weighmaster, for

the Templeton Sales Yard with Jerold Shreeves, as a cattle weighmaster, and for both Burr

Webber and Gary Nelson, as a tax preparation assistant. She was an awarding winning

salesperson for Mary Kay products and while living in Whitley Gardens with her husband Ray,

she worked in accounting for the Whitley Gardens Water District.

Anita loved cooking, sewing, riding horses, fishing, working with leather, traveling, and

camping. She authored an autobiography in 2006 depicting her life from birth to her golden

years. She titled it “My life from Dawn to Dusk”. She lived 16 more wonderful years after

publishing her book. She was a courageous woman who stated in her book, “I have always

welcomed challenges, and to this day, I will tackle anything I make up my mind to do.”, and she

did just that. Her family cherishes her autobiography that displayed her triumphs and her

hardships throughout her life.

Anita was a “Centurion” and celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends this past

April. She anticipated this milestone birthday with joy and excitement and was thrilled to share

and reminisce over her accomplishments throughout the century. She had seen more changes

in the world in her lifetime than most anyone will ever see.

Her pride and joy were her two sons, Neil, and Robert Heely. She is survived by Neil Heely from

Hatfield, AR., Robert (Jill) Heely from Paso Robles, CA., and is also survived by her

grandchildren: Brant (Emily) Heely from Walnut Creek CA., Eric (Maggie) Heely from Louisville

KY. and Kaitlin and Madison Heely from Paso Robles, CA. She was also very proud of her four

great grandchildren: Rori and Knox Heely from Louisville KY., Jack Heely from Walnut Creek,

CA., and Cody Alexander from Hatfield, AR. She will be missed dearly by all her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ray Heely in 1995.

As Anita wished there will be no service and in lieu of flowers, the family asks that you think of

kindness and donate to a veterans charity. You may consider donating in Ray and Anita’s name

to: Honor Flight of the Central Coast, P.O. Box 1750, Paso Robles CA 93447, or Mighty Oaks

Foundation at www.mightyoaksprograms.org. Flight Central Coast California