In Memoriam

VEDA R. NYE

Rebekah Assembly President, 1963

1905 ~ 1982

Sometimes after the sun is set,

As we watch at the close of the day,

The sky is bright with a rosy light

'Mid the evening shadows gray.

Long after a beautiful life is gone

To that fairer world on high,

Our lives are bright with a lingering light,

For a true life cannot die.

Veda Riley Nye  was born in Ontario, Oregon, on January 4, 1905, the daughter of Miles and Anna Riley.  At an early age she moved with her family to Boise where she attended school, graduating from Boise High School and business college.

She married L. William Nye on August 14, 1926.  They owned and operated a pharmacy in Lave Hot Springs and later one in Pocatello.  Following retirement, they divided their time between Mexico and Boise until they moved to Sierra Vista, Arizona, in the summer of 1981.

She passed away in Tucson on February 11, 1982.

She was a member of the Christian Church; Ruth Chapter, O.E.S.; Daughter of the Nile; a Past Noble Grand of Ivy Rebekah Lodge No.23, Pocatello; Columbia L.A.P.M. No.3, Boise; a Past President of the Rebekah Assembly of Idaho and received the Decoration of Chivalry for outstanding service to her church, community, and Rebekah lodge.

She is survived by her husband, Bill, a son, L. W. Nye, Jr., a daughter, Norma Reeder, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Veda was initiated into Unity Rebekah Lodge No.8, Boise, on April 19, 1923, and transferred to Ivy Rebekah Lodge No.23, Pocatello, in 1945. She served as Noble Grand in 1953 and the Assembly Degree was conferred on her in October 1954.  She immediately became an active member of the Assembly and served as Marshall in 1958, Chaplain in 1960, Warden in 1961, Vice President in 1962, and President in 1963.  She never missed a session until October of 1981 when ill health prevented her attendance.

As President, Veda promoted perfection in our Ritualistic work and the putting of BEAUTY in all we do.  KINDNESS and SINCERITY were her watchwords and BE YE KIND , ONE TO ANOTHER,  her motto.  Her aim was to LIVE OUR OBLIGATION AND PRINCIPLES OF FRATERNITY.  She was a living example of her program and led us through a beautiful year.

Veda's project was the furnishing of the newly remodeled living room at the Odd Fellows Home.  Through her efforts, and with the assistance of some of the other Past Presidents, enough money was raised to completely furnish the room.

Veda attended several Sessions of the International Association of Rebekah Assemblies and in 1967 she served as the United States of America Color Bearer in Calgary, Alberta.

Always her devotion to our Order, her kindness and sincerity, her efforts to perfect our work, added beauty to the lives of those around her.

In closing her President's report, she repeated the words of her song, which was her prayer, and which I'm sure would be her prayer for us, today.

Dear Lord, Kind Lord, Gracious Lord, I pray

Thou wilt look on all I love,

Tenderly today.

Weed their hears of weariness,

Scatter every care

Down a wake of Angel wings

Winnowing the air.

Bring unto the sorrowing all release from pain

Let the lips of laughter overflow again;

And with all the needy, O divide, I pray

This vast Treasure of content,

That is mine today.

Mary S. Hough, Past President