Vada Harvey
Vada Irene (Scott) Harvey, 90 years old, passed away of natural causes on Jan. 5, 2016, in Hood River, Ore. She was born Aug. 6, 1925, in Goodnoe Hills, Wash., to Lincoln and Oma Huot, as the youngest of 10 children. The Huot home was filled with fun, laughter, and music, and Vada savored the memories of family times together, as well as the special, lifelong bond she had with her mother.
Huot family gatherings always included beautiful harmonies. She, her siblings, and her nieces and nephews would sing and play ragtime, swing, and all kinds of ‘40s music on an ensemble of instruments.
If they weren’t making music, they were playing games. Vada was very competitive and loved a good game of Canasta or Scrabble with her sisters and cherished nieces.
Not only was Vada a proficient piano player, she was also a seamstress, a painter of still life and landscapes, a woodworker, a craftsman, and an artisan who could create beauty out of anything she put her hands on. Many of her creations — including oil paintings, home décor, and Christmas decorations — were gifted to her children and remain as cherished items in their homes. Vada always had busy hands, and was making art right up to her final days. She was a creator in many, many ways.
The greatest strength in Vada’s life — and the source of her profound joy — was her faith. She loved God. She was a prayer warrior who believed that God was always the only answer for whatever struggles life may bring. She passed this deep faith along to her children, raising them in church from a very early age.
Vada was a passionate encourager to her family, friends, and almost anyone she encountered. Her life motto, instilled by her mother, was “If you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.” It wasn’t often that Vada didn’t say anything at all. She could find the good in anyone.
Anyone who knew Vada knew she was a hugger. She loved teenagers. She loved children. She loved the elderly. And she loved to show it.
Right up to the end, this classy lady was beautifully made up, wearing her beloved jewelry (always dangling earrings!) and stylish outfits that were color-coordinated to match her husband’s shirts. Her smile could light up a room. She would beam and shine, especially in red, her favorite color.
Perhaps it is fitting that Vada’s final days extended to include the Christmas holiday she so adored. Her creative spirit and determination produced holiday memories that her children will cherish forever, even as she was raising a young, ever-growing family with limited resources. Her holiday dinners were always delicious and beautifully prepared with loving hands. One Christmas, she spent hours shaping aluminum foil into large reindeer, snowflakes, starbursts, trees, chains, and more, which she then used to decorate the house and tree.
At the holidays and beyond, Vada created many warm memories for her eight children and their friends. She would often open her home to the church youth group, always with plenty of hot chocolate, sweet goodies, and energetic hugs to share.
Vada married James R. Scott on Feb. 22, 1942, and eight children were born to their union. James (Raymond) passed away on Dec. 16, 1975. The Scott family has since grown to over 100 family members, all of whom Vada deeply loved!
She was richly blessed the day she met the love of her life, Eugene (Bud) Harvey, whom she married on Jan. 13, 2006. The two were inseparable since then, holding hands almost constantly. Bud preceded Vada in death on Dec. 18, 2015. The two were separated for only 18 days, when this beloved woman passed away from a broken heart to reunite with the husband she loved, cherished, and adored.
Vada loved life and felt it was to be enjoyed, which is what she did right up to the end. She never let the ground settle beneath her feet — always ready for the next adventure. It is a comfort to know she is currently enjoying her new journey beyond this earthly life.
Vada is survived by her children: DyAnn Rybarczyk (John), Caldwell, Idaho; Janet Holste (Roger), Hood River, Ore.; Ron Scott (Teresa), Dallas, Texas; Nancy Bublitz (Dave), Star, Idaho; Jeff Scott (Sue), Redmond, Ore.; Joe Scott (Katie), Bend, Ore.; and Bobbi Jo Kane (Curt), Gladstone, and daughter-in-love Jeannie Scott, Bend, Ore.; as well as Bud’s son Dennis Harvey (Julie and special grandson, Patrick), Hood River, Ore., and Bud’s daughter Liane and family, King City, Ore. She is also survived by an abundance of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, too many to name.
She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings; husband Eugene (Bud) Harvey; James R. Scott; eldest son, Jim Scott; great-great-grandsons Cody Lee and Jeffry Nelson; and Bud’s daughter, Carla Harvey.
A Celebration of Life is being planned for a future date so Vada’s large family can come together in honor of this very special mother and grandmother.
The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to Providence Hospice and Brookside for their wonderful care and concern for both Vada and Bud. Also, many thanks to three of Vada’s very special daughters — Nancy, Janet and Bobbi Jo — who stayed by Vada’s bedside 24/7, from the day her husband passed until the moment of her graduation into heaven.
We will remember and miss our Mom/Nana/Grandma/Granny with deep love as these cold winter days eventually melt into spring, the season she loved most for the new life it brings.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.
Please visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.