Velma Catherine Monteith

Velma Catherine Monteith died July 29, 2013, at Whidbey General Hospital at the age of 92. She was born March 31, 1921, in Columbus, Neb., to Carl and Frances Wuethrich.

She attended high school in Columbus, where she excelled in athletics and lettered in basketball.

In 1942, following graduation, she and her best friend Alice Beacher set off for California.

They arrived in San Pedro and Velma soon found work as a long distance operator for Pacific Bell.

She moved on to become the assistant chief PBX operator at the Bank of America headquarters in Los Angeles.

Velma experienced trouble with her control system and called for a repair technician and a young, rookie repairman showed up. Velma knew exactly what was wrong and the repairman was totally impressed.

Donovan Monteith knew this was the woman he had been searching for. On Nov. 14, 1942, Velma and Donovan were married in Pasadena, Calif.

The Monteith’s settled in a new home in Al Hambra for the next 15 years.

Their family began to grow with the addition of three children: Mark Andrew, Donna Kathryn and Michael Carl.

Velma and Donovan eventually built a new home in Monterey Park with an incredible view of the Pacific. Velma was the co-founder of the Lincoln Training Center in El Monte, employing young people with special needs. She also served as a Cub Scout leader for many years.

Donovan retired from Pac Bell with 38 years of service, and he and Velma began to travel in their RV. They traveled to the Pacific Northwest, visiting Oak Harbor and Orcas Island, and they finally decided to move to Whidbey. For the past eight years they were residents of Summer Hill Retirement Home.

Velma was a gifted oil painter and quilt maker. She was a great cook and a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother.

Velma is survived by her husband Donovan, daughter Donna Lay, son Michael Monteith, and granddaughter Lindsey Thompson.

Memorial services for Velma Monteith will be celebrated 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, 2013, at Summer Hill Retirement Center. Cremation was held with interment to follow in San Gabriel Cemetery, San Gabriel, Calif.

Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences at the guest book hosted by Wallin Funeral Home at www.wallinfuneralhome.com