Nancee Estelle Raines Vernon

Nancee Estelle Raines Vernon passed away at the age of 88 on March the 2nd, 2014, at 9:29 PM at her home in Moses Lake, Washington. She was born at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, WA, on September the 1st, 1925, to Cecil Erwin Raines and Frances Esther Morley Raines. Out of 4 children born to the couple, one other child, Cecilia, survived infancy. The children were not blessed with secure beginnings, so Nancee spent parts of her childhood with her parents on Queen Anne Hill, and the greater part of her growing up years living with her maternal grandmother, Nancy Pearl Welch Morley, in the rural area of Riverton Heights, WA. Until High School, Nancee attended a different school every year, if she did not attend more. Nancee remembers an especially tender and caring teacher in Riverton Heights, a Mrs. Bowers, who left wonderful memories and a very favorable impression on her life. Perhaps it was she who helped to inspire Nancee to do well in school and to graduate Salutatorian of Highline High School. Nancee was also crowned Queen of Riverton Heights in her senior year.

Nancee's grandmother was the greatest influence in her young life. She loved and admired her dearly. She was the one who afforded Nancee the opportunity to take dancing lessons. She loved tap dancing especially, and never had to be encouraged to practice. By the age of 12, that opportunity ended, but by then Nancee realized that she could come up with her own dancing routines and teach others. Her brief experience with the Barclay School of Dance was enough to light that fire. She attended every Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movie she possibly could and watched Bill Robinson (Bojangles) in the Shirley Temple movies. Her talents developed from tap to ballet to ballroom dancing and on. It was at the Trianon Ballroom in 1945, that she met her husband and lifelong companion to be, Marvin Read Vernon. He was stationed in Seattle during World War 11, and the couple dated and fell in love. Later, after he had been transferred to Las Vegas, she took a train from Seattle, to meet him there. Nancee and Marvin were married on May 26, 1945 in a small military chapel on the base.

Since Marvin was from Pennsylvania, they made the decision to move to the east coast after the war ended. There, the following year in August of 1946, their first child, Wendy Lee was born. Their second child, Gail Lynn followed in November of 1949. Nancee was excited to purchase her first home in 1952. She and her husband bought a two story colonial at 11 Palace Ave, in Claymont, Delaware. It was there that they were introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and decided to join. By May of 1954, they sold their home and moved to Seattle, WA, where the couple had first met. Their marriage brought them three more children, Sandra Jo, in 1954, Randall Gray in 1958 and Daren Read, in April of 1966. By this time, the family was living in the town of Moses Lake, Washington. Nancee started her dancing school in the basement of her home and taught many children to dance. Countless people here in Moses Lake, as well as the greater Seattle area would tell you that they took lessons from Nancee Vernon. Her recitals were wondrous events with good story lines, beautifully designed costumes, and students who were well prepared. Nancee also taught ballroom dancing and combined with ballet, sponsored many floor shows for special events. Through later chapters of her life, her ability at sewing and costume design became renowned. She had full page write ups more than once, in her local newspaper. She spent years working in Little Theatre designing choreography and costumes and doing off-stage direction, while Marvin performed in the many musicals that the theatre group put on. The couple was significant in the growth and success of the Portholes Players in Newport, Oregon. Musicals were an avid interest that they shared and participated together in throughout their marriage.

Nancee served in many positions of leadership in her church. She was Relief Society president twice, taught Sunday school, was a teacher in seminary, and worked in the Primary and the Mutual. She was often the DJ at the local teen dances, spinning the records of their favorite songs to dance to. Her travels took her to live in North Bend, Newport and Beaverton, Oregon, and then back again to Moses Lake, in 1991, where she and her husband retired. They shared in serving a mission for the Mormon Church in Pohnpei. Later they served in Birmingham, England, and then another in Arkansas. After returning home for the last time, they served in two more local missions.

Nancee spent her last years doing genealogy. She spent countless hours researching and connecting people to their families. She was called to serve in the temple both in Seattle, WA, and Richland, WA. She spent countless hours serving in both temples. She did the work for as many deceased family members as she could. She was loved, respected and appreciated by many.

Nancee Estelle Raines Vernon was widowed on January the 20th, 2014, when Marvin Read Vernon, her husband of 68 years died in Moses Lake. Not wishing to be without him, she passed away only six weeks later. We love and miss her dearly.

Nancee is survived by three daughters, Wendy Coyne, Gail Hanks, Sandra Dowdney and two sons, Randy Vernon and Daren Vernon. She has 15 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Her mother's second marriage produced one half-sister, Marjory. Her father's second marriage produced 4 half-sisters and brothers; Darrel, Dena, Denise and Dwayne.

Viewing will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with Funeral Services beginning at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, March 15, 2014 in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Nelson Road Chapel, 1849 E. Nelson Rd. N.E., Moses Lake, WA 98837 Burial and concluding services will immediately follow in Pioneer Memorial Gardens, Moses Lake, WA.

Please share your memories of Nancee and sign her online guest register at www.carverfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements in care of Carver Family Funeral Home.