Lydia Marie Seely

She was born on June 6, 1955. Lydia, along with her brothers, were raised by her beloved grandparents Helen and Edward DeGrave, in Northlake, Illinois until she was 12 years old when her grandfather’s job with the railroad moved the family to Bark River, Michigan. She graduated from Bark River High School in 1973.

In a case of love at first sight, the former Lydia Stansbury, met the man who would become her husband in mid-August 1975. 13 whirlwind days later on August 23, 1975, Lydia was united in marriage to Nathaniel J. “Red” Seely in Bark River and she recently celebrated her 45th wedding anniversary with him.

Lydia enjoyed reading, crosswords, and going to the movies. She also loved spending time with her husband and son. Always looking forward to visits with her daughter and her grandchildren, where she would delight in reading and singing with them. She found great purpose in attending community benefit dinners. Lydia was determined to give back to those who needed a helping hand, whether known to her or not, after a similar outpouring of support to her own family many years ago from her own community.

During the early years of her marriage she loved traveling the country with her husband during his time in the Army. Lydia and Red permanently moved back to the Upper Peninsula in 1983, making their home in Powers, Michigan, where they proceeded to fulfill Lydia’s biggest dream of being not only a wife, but also starting a family and becoming a mother to her two children.

A devoted wife and mother; she worked tirelessly to love, support, and encourage her children to be the best they could be. She often joked that she had no idea why her daughter (or anyone for that matter) wanted to live in the city, but if that’s what made her daughter happy then that’s all she could ask for.

Lydia is survived by her husband, Nathaniel “Red”; children, Helen (Benjamin Hernandez) Seely of Chicago, Illinois, Edward Seely of Powers, Michigan and numerous “adopted” children that she came to know and love through her own children; grandchildren, Paloma and Isla Hernandez; siblings, Michael Stansbury of Idaho, Gary Stansbury of Illinois, and Lynda Maxwell of California; numerous nieces and nephews; and many cousins.

Lydia was preceded in death by her beloved grandparents, Edward and Helen DeGrave.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you attend and/or make a donation in her memory, to a local community benefit fundraiser of your choosing.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.

A message of condolence may be directed to the family by visiting www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net.