Doris Seward, a longtime resident of Hoquiam, Washington, passed peacefully in her home on Dec. 9, 2020. She was 82 years old.

Doris was born Jan. 19, 1938, in Bismark, North Dakota. She was one of three children born to Clint and Helen Betterley, joined by a sister, Lois, and brother, Gerald. In 1954, she married her lifelong partner and love, Robert (Bob) Seward, in Aberdeen, Washington. Doris and Bob spent the first nine years of their marriage living in a logging camp in Lake Ozette before eventually settling in Hoquiam. They went on to have six children, 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren (with one more on the way).

For many years, Doris and Bob owned Seward’s Nursery. The nursery was well-known within Grays Harbor for its beautiful fuchsia baskets and impressive tomato plants. It was a labor of love and a source of pride. Most of Doris’ children helped operate the nursery in the summers. This created a unique opportunity for her grandchildren to grow up especially close to one another. To this day, they remain close friends and are grateful for the memories made at “Gramma’s.”

Doris had countless hobbies and talents — all of which she approached with great enthusiasm. Whether it was crocheting blankets, making jewelry, building furniture from burls, sewing virtually anything, or decorating for Christmas, everything she did was over-the-top in the best possible way. She was incredibly creative and rarely without a project. She never failed to use her talents to make holidays especially magical for her grandchildren, often gifting them each a homemade afghan or a set of delicately sewn doll clothes. She donated many hand-made blankets to local shelters and fundraisers like Relay for Life.

Doris had a passion for horses. While raising her children, she could frequently be found towing kids and horses to shows all around the state. She was also an avid pool player and was captain of her women’s team for several years.

Doris is survived by her husband, Bob, her children Brad (Debbie) Seward, Connie (Rob) Hanny, Debi Valliere, Teri Seward and Kasey (Jeff) Willis, along with her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as her siblings Lois Talley and Gerald Betterley. She was preceded in death by her parents and her youngest son, Robert (Bobby) Seward.

At this time, no service is planned.