Velda Yvon Hartzell-Gillespie's Obituary
Velda Yvon Hartzell Gillespie died July 13th, 2017 from heart failure at the age of 87. Velda Gillespie is preceded in death by her husband, Frank. She is survived by her niece, Maria Bishop and her nephew, Tim Hartzell. The daughter of the late John Henry Hartzell and Emelia Espinosa Hartzell. Sister to Virgil Hubert Hartzell. Born December 8, 1929 in Firebaugh, CA. and lived in Fresno, California at the time of her death, but had grown up for much of her childhood in Honolulu, HI. She had also lived in Chicago and New York while working for the TWA Airlines. She was educated at the High School in Honolulu, Hawaii and U.C. Berkeley with a B.A. in French, later in her 40’s she went back to school and earned a M.S. in Nutrition. With her education from U.C. Berkeley she worked at TWA Airlines for almost 20 years. She became the Chief Flight Attendant. She designed uniforms, presented the award for the first female Purser as well as delivered medical supplies and medicine internationally. After retiring from TWA Airlines she then furthered her education and worked as a Professor of Nutrition for twenty years. She educated students at most of the colleges in the Central Valley of California. She loved teaching and finally retired at age 85. Throughout her later years she discovered a love for poodles. Zsu zsu, Bombin, Peabie, Panash and Bombin II were all the love of her life. Bombin was an award-winning poodle in the area of obedience. She loved to sew, knit, cook & garden. Her love of fashion design spanned many decades. When she was done designing uniforms for TWA Airlines she enjoyed and taught textiles at Canada College in Redwood City, CA. The Memorial Service will be held at Skylawn Funeral Park in San Mateo, California. We will have a graveside funeral on August 12, 2017 at 1:00pm.
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