Velva Lee Boutin

Velva was born on June 02, 1953 in Kewanee, Illinois to Marvin Newman and Mary Ann Powers (nee Green). As a young girl, Velva was active in girl scouts and played the French Horn in marching band. It was also as a young girl that Velva began her "handmade" journey, learning to sew clothes and to Tat (a traditional lace making technique) from her grandmother.

After graduating High School, Velva moved to Washington D.C. to work at the F.B.I. Her career would eventually take her to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, starting as an Administrative Assistant and working her way up to Computer Programmer. It was at the Bureau that she met her husband, Gregory Boutin, and they married on May 30, 1980. Greg and Velva would go on to have two children, Jennifer and Emerson.

Velva's love of scouting encouraged both her children to join. Later, she became a girl scout troop leader, council leader, and loved volunteering for Summer Camp programs. Determined to help girls enjoy the outdoors, Vlibby became a camp director for Burke Lake Adventures and was a founding director of Camp Firefly - an evening camp for kids not able to attend summer day camps, which just celebrated its 29th year.

Velva's passion for the fiber arts never left her. She lovingly sewed baby clothes for both of her children, even proudly sewing matching "mommy and me" outfits. Later, that passion evolved into a love of knitting. She cherished not only creating with her hands, but also the wonderful friends who wove laughter and love into every project.

Velva, along with her husband Greg, loved spending time in North Myrtle Beach, SC, where she quickly became friends with many of the knitters there. They enjoyed traveling and seeing the world, but Velva's favorite place to travel would be to visit family - including grandchildren in Northern Michigan and her godchildren in Fredericksburg, VA. Velva's legacy and love will live on in the hearts of her family, friends, and the countless others her life has impacted.

Velva is preceded in death by her mother, Mary Ann Powers. She is survived by her father, Marvin Newman (Mary Kay); her children Jennifer (John) and Emerson (Krystal); her grandchildren Patrick, Jaysen, Matthew, and Grace; her Godchildren Nathan and Matthew Kidwell; her siblings Beth, Pam (Dickie), Penny (Randy), and Malcom (Beth E).

Visitation for family and friends will be held at 10:30 am until 11:00 am on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield VA, where a memorial service will begin at 11:00 am. Interment will be held privately.

Family members and friends unable to attend the service for Velva may stream the service by clicking on the "Livestream" button that will be linked below the morning of her service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Velva's memory to the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital or ECHO (Ecumenical Community Helping Others), both linked below.