Belle Augusta Reed was the second daughter born to Bell & Archie Reed in the town of Sagle, Idaho on April 3, 1930. She joined an older sister, Hazel, & three brothers, Raymond, Albert & Robert. They lived most of their early childhood in the woods. When the youngest brother, Archie came along, the family was complete. When Belle was 13, their father unexpectedly passed away. The boys went to work in the woods and their mom began cooking at one of the logging camps. Challenging days for all of them, but the family survived.
Belle graduated from Wallace High School and immediately went to work for the telephone company. Within a couple years she met Don Hickey, “DW” to her and they were married for 50 years.
Raising four daughters was no small task, but Belle was up to it and each daughter eventually gave her a total of 8 grandchildren. By the time of her passing, she was also a proud great grandmother of eight great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.
After the 3 oldest daughters had left home, Belle enrolled in the local beauty school where she became a hairdresser. During that time, she also decided to take oil painting classes and spent much time & energy creating some lovely pieces.
Her gardening passion, however, set her on an entirely different course, and Appleway Florist & Greenhouse hired her to work in their garden shop. Each spring for many years, Belle could be found transplanting seedlings and also selling fabulous bedding plants to new and old gardeners alike. Her knowledge was staggering and her own flower beds were beautifully and lovingly put together. She formed some forever friendships during those years.
The only competition for her love of gardening was the arrival of grandchildren. The first four came along fairly close together and the last four a few years later. Belle adored each one and so loved spending quality time with them. She believed heartily that adventures with the grandchildren were essential and went about making it happen as often as possible. Those memories will continue to live in the hearts of what she fondly called, “the grands”.
The abundance of family pictures in her apartment says it all. She truly lived for her family. There will be a Memorial Service Tuesday June 26th, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Thornhill Valley Chapel, 1400 S. Pines Rd., Spokane Valley, WA 99206 followed by a Reception at 12:00 PM also at Thornhill Valley Chapel. A Committal Service will follow reception at 2:30 PM at Pines Cemetery, 1401 S. Pines Rd., Spokane Valley, WA 99206.
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