LaVinia Lee Besola, 74, died March 25, 2011, in Auburn.

She was born Oct. 10, 1936, in Belmont, Wash., to Orville and Pearl (Clark) Cunningham. She graduated from Oaksdale High School in 1953, earned a bachelor’s degree from Washington State College in 1956 and earned a juris doctorate from Gonzaga School of Law in 1964. She taught at Kinman Business School and Eastern Washington University where she met future husband Sie. After their marriage in Spokane they moved to Montana where she was a homemaker for a brief time until her husband’s sudden death. She then moved her family to Lopez Island in San Juan County where she taught in public schools until her retirement in 1992. She raised her family on Lopez Island and was an active member of her community until seven years ago when, due to failing health, she moved closer to daughter Amy in Auburn. In her new life she was a daily part of an animal hospital where she made many new friends. She called Wabash Presbyterian Church her church home.

She is survived by son Mark Besola of Lake Tapps; daughters Julia Besola-Robinson and husband Kenn of Blaine, Wash., and Amy Besola of Auburn; and one granddaughter.

She was preceded by husband Everett Besola on March 18, 1967, and brothers Clark Cunningham and Orville Cunningham.

A viewing took place Tuesday March 29, at Weeks’ Enumclaw Funeral Home. A funeral service is planned for 1 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at Center Church on Lopez Island. Burial will be at Lopez Union Cemetery. A reception will be at Lopez Community Church in the Fellowship Hall. A memorial service will be at Wabash Presbyterian Church at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 9.LaVinia Lee Besola, 74, died March 25, 2011, in Auburn.

She was born Oct. 10, 1936, in Belmont, Wash., to Orville and Pearl (Clark) Cunningham. She graduated from Oaksdale High School in 1953, earned a bachelor’s degree from Washington State College in 1956 and earned a juris doctorate from Gonzaga School of Law in 1964. She taught at Kinman Business School and Eastern Washington University where she met future husband Sie. After their marriage in Spokane they moved to Montana where she was a homemaker for a brief time until her husband’s sudden death. She then moved her family to Lopez Island in San Juan County where she taught in public schools until her retirement in 1992. She raised her family on Lopez Island and was an active member of her community until seven years ago when, due to failing health, she moved closer to daughter Amy in Auburn. In her new life she was a daily part of an animal hospital where she made many new friends. She called Wabash Presbyterian Church her church home.

She is survived by son Mark Besola of Lake Tapps; daughters Julia Besola-Robinson and husband Kenn of Blaine, Wash., and Amy Besola of Auburn; and one granddaughter.

She was preceded by husband Everett Besola on March 18, 1967, and brothers Clark Cunningham and Orville Cunningham.

A viewing took place Tuesday March 29, at Weeks’ Enumclaw Funeral Home. A funeral service is planned for 1 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at Center Church on Lopez Island. Burial will be at Lopez Union Cemetery. A reception will be at Lopez Community Church in the Fellowship Hall. A memorial service will be at Wabash Presbyterian Church at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 9.

Remembrances may be made to World Vision, 34834 Weyerhaeuser Way S., Federal Way, 98001.

Services are directed by Weeks’ Enumclaw Funeral Home.

All are invited to sign the online guest book at www.weeksfuneralhomes.com.

Remembrances may be made to World Visio n, 34834 Weyerhaeuser Way S., Federal Way, 98001.

Services are directed by Weeks’ Enumclaw Funeral Home.

All are invited to sign the online guest book at www.weeksfuneralhomes.com.