Avis Joanne Van Loan
October 30, 1937 - July 4, 2007
Obituary
Avis Joanne Van Loan
Avis Van Loan, of Seattle, Washington passed away July 4th 2007 from heart disease. She was born October 30th 1937 to Josephine and James Power in Duluth, Minnesota. She worked at her parent’s photography studio while still in school. She graduated from Cathedral High class of 1955. During school she was in Drama and later joined a local theater group. Avis worked at Bridgemans ice cream parlor for a few years then attended St. Scholastica College in Minneapolis. Returning to Duluth she briefly worked in a Drs. Office.
In 1961 she married and came to Seattle where her three Children were born. The family moved to Houston Texas in 1967. She was an activist and joined HEP Help Eliminate Pollution working to improve air quality. She was a Brownie leader and a P.T.S.A. co-president. She became a member of Beta Sigma Phi, a sorority for adult women and belonged for many years both in Houston and Seattle.
The family returned to Seattle in 1975. She attended Highline Comm. College at the same time as her son. While there she joined Phi Theta Kappa and traveled to New York, New Orleans, and Durango Colorado.
She was passionate about art and was an artist herself, drawing and using chalks and oil pastels. Visiting museums, attending the opera and plays were highlights for her.
Avis enjoyed reading to her granddaughters as wells as watching them at swim and dance class.
Her garden was full of beautiful rosebushes and she even won several ribbons in the amateur division of a local rose show.
Abby, her cat, was her companion for the last seventeen years.
She is survived by her sister Avon Power of Souix Falls S.D. daughters Debbie Roger Millward of Renton, Annette Eric Elsey of Federal Way, son Patrick Van Loan of Snohomish, granddaughters Brianna and Rorie Millward, and one niece and six nephews.
The family suggests memorials to The American Heart Association or North Highline Fire District.
I was saddened to learn of Avis’ death. She was a dear person. I got to know her in high school when we both appeared in the class play “Our Town”, she in the lead role and me in a bit part. I enjoyed renewing our friendship at our 20th class reunion where we ended up at Avis’ parents home for an after hour gathering that didn’t break up until the wee hours. My condolences go to her family. Jon Walsh, Cathedral 55
I worked for Avis’s mom and dad in their photography stuido and Avis was my inspiration with an art flair for the business. I was saddened by the news of her passing. The whole Powers family was instrumental in making my career as a photograper so successful. My thoughts are with all of her family.
MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO AVIS & FAMILY. I WORKED FOR THE FAMILY DURING COLLEGE & WAS VERY FOND OF AVIS & THE ENTIRE FAMILY & HAVE NOTHING BUT PLEASANT MEMORIES OF THE BYGONE DAYS.
I don’t think you’ll need any help to get to the right place, but I’ll say a prayer for you, anyway.
Don Macdonald, Duluth Cathedral, 1955
Avis was a very unique person to say the least about her. I met her when I, as a young bride had moved away from home for the first time to Texas. I met her and it was instant friendship. She was my very first and best friend I made in Texas. I remember how adamant she was about pollution when noone was talking about it then in the 60’s. She was an exhuberant, intelligent, artistic, caring,generous,beautiful woman !
We shared lots of crazy fun times. I had no children at the time and I delighted in being with her kids. We shared soo many crazy times together. She was with me when I found the house that I am still living in. She gave me a baby shower when I was expecting my first child. We went to the opera , took jazz classes, theatre.. we shared a lot of the same interests which was wonderful because up to that time I had noone that enjoyed the same things as I.
I still miss her and always will… I lost a very good friend.
My deepest condolences to her children, Debbie, Annette, and Patrick who were just babies when I first laid my eyes on those adorable rambunctious children.
Rest in Peace, Avis, you will always be missed and remembered.
Love
Penny Linton
So many years since we walked the halls of DCHS, but I do have fond memories of a quiet, smiling Avis. It was good to hear what she had been up to since last we talked and I am sure her dear family is missing her deeply. My sympathy and prayers go out to her family and friends.