Velma Hughes Ackley

Velma Ruby (Hughes) Ackley was born to Roy and Martha Hughes on February 19, 1918 in Salt Lake City, Utah, the second of three children. The family settled in North Portland shortly after her birth. Velma was among the first to graduate from Portsmouth Grade School in 1932. She went on to graduate with the class of 1937 at Roosevelt High School. After graduation, she always tried to keep in touch with her friends. During the depression years, Velma cultivated a deep interest in classical music, opera, sewing, and reading just about anything, especially British History. It was during this time that Velma began walking to school each morning with her neighborhood sweetheart Edwin Ackley. Neither realized at the time this would lead to a lifelong love that lasted 60 plus years. Velma and Ed married in 1942 at the beginning of World War II, and on April 22, 1945 their first son (Leonard) was born. A few years after the war on February 8, 1948 their second son (Roy) was born. In 1950 Velma and Ed built a home in the same neighborhood they grew up in, and raised their two sons with all the love anyone could ever ask for. Family was everything to Velma; she was a very kind hearted, soft spoken angel. She will be sorely missed and never forgotten by all family and friends. Velma was preceded by her husband Edwin in June of 1989; brothers Hovie Hughes from Madison, Wisconsin and Roy C. Hughes from Milwaukie, Oregon. She is survived by her sons; Leonard (who lives in Finland with his family) and Roy (who lives in Tigard, Oregon with his family); three grandchildren and six great grandchildren; niece, Mary Hughes Wolf; nephew, David Hughes both from the Milwaukie, Oregon area. There will be a service at 9 am Friday, January 10, 2014 at Willamette National Cemetery, 1180 SE Mt. Scott Blvd. Portland, Oregon. The family suggest that in Lieu of flowers donations be made to the Oregon Humane Society. Velma was a cat lover too.