Laura Awilda Reed, 99

December 21, 2012

Laura Reed, affectionately known as “Widdie,” died Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, at the Ray Hickey Hospice House in Vancouver, Wash.

Widdie, the daughter of Elizabeth and Orrie Sheesley, was born Aug. 10, 1913, in Reynoldsville, Pa.

Jan. 1, 1941, she married the late Thomas R. Reed.

As a resident of Big Run, Pa., for more than 65 years, Widdie was an active member of the Big Run Methodist Church and the Order of the Eastern Star. She also was an enthusiastic advisor for the Order of Rainbow for Girls.

During the past five years, Widdie resided at Columbia Ridge in Washougal, Wash., where she enjoyed the daily company of her son, Thomas R. Reed Jr., and her daughter, Susan R. Culp, as well as their respective spouses.

In addition, Widdie’s extended family includes her sister, Betty Guhl of Noank, Conn.; her brother, Paul Sheesley of DuBois, Pa.; her daughter-in-law, Pam Reed; her son-in-law, George Culp; four grandchildren, Ali Mann, Tom Reed III, Julie Savelesky and Jessica DeVine and their respective spouses; six great-grandchildren, Mackenzie and Jacklyn Reed, Kynseth and Camon Mann and Camden and Westen Savelesky; and many dear nieces and nephews.

Interment will be at the Lakelawn Memorial Park near Reynoldsville at the convenience of the immediate family.

As it was Widdie’s lifelong willingness to care for and to give to others, the members of Widdie’s family encourage those who knew Widdie to honor her by forwarding any desired expressions of affection to a worthy cause of their own choice.