Vivian J. Smalley

Altoona native Vivian Josephine Smalley 86, of Rosburg, died March 2, 2010 in Longview due to complications following heart surgery. She was born March 15, 1923 on her parents homestead on Hitchcock Creek, near Altoona. Her parents were Helge and Jenny (Buskala) Saari. They owned a family farm and dairy on Hitchcock Creek. Helge was the Altoona milkman and delivered to the area by boat. Vivian attended grade school in Altoona and graduated from Naselle High School. She enjoyed playing the accordion and swimming.

In 1943 she married Oris Smalley and they made their home at the Smalley family home in Eden Valley, a mere two miles from where she was born, and she resided there for the rest of her life.

While a stay at home mom raising their three children, she was never idle. She was known area wide for her baking and decorating cakes, and she made 1000’s of them for birthdays, weddings etc. for local people and beyond. Vivian had a special knack for making character cakes in 3-D form. She also loved baking cookies.

In later life, Vivian never missed her soap operas or her Monday night scrabble game with friends Kathy and Louise. She also loved jigsaw puzzles, sewing & crocheting, her two cats and three puppies. Clam digging was a favorite pastime.

Vivian was preceded in death by husband Oris. Surviving are daughter Lori Hamp and husband Gary of Rosburg, son Terry Smalley of Knappa, OR and daughter Trudy Torza of Ellicott, MD; sister Darlene Haataja of Rosburg; Grandchildren Rose, Joann and Nick Torza, Lynn Kingelin, Glenn Smalley, Jennifer Bennett, Kody and Kenny Hamp and Dana Criswell; nephews Loren and Ray Haataja as well as 14 great-grandchildren.

A graveside service took place Sunday March 7, 2010 at the Eden Valley Cemetery. Arrangements by Penttila’s Chapel by The Sea, Long Beach. The guestbook may be signed at http://www.penttilaschapel.com.