Cecelia Stokes Campbell, 98, was born March 17, 1921, and died Sept. 24, 2019. She was one of seven children born to Methow pioneers John (Jack) and Anne Stokes. Her grandfather was a Texas Ranger who homesteaded in the Methow Valley in 1903.
She spent her childhood riding the hills of Fraser Creek. She married Orvan Campbell on Oct. 27, 1940. They lived in Holden Village during WWII, where Orvan worked in the Howe Sound Mine. They moved to their lifelong home on Beaver Creek in 1943. They raised five children: Chuck (Jean); Larry (Abril); Julie; Lori; and Bob (Mary). Grandchildren include Bill and Brad, Todd and Debbie, Josie, Chelsi and Kimberly, Karli and Katie, Jessica and Kelli. She had 12 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her son Chuck, her grandson Bill, her son-in-law Brent Smith, her husband Orvan, all of her siblings and her parents.
She was Princess Twisp in 1938. She rode in the Wenatchee Apple Blossom parade on a dogsled that was used to take supplies into the Azurite Mine.
Celia was a well-known local artist showing her work at the Methow Valley Farmers Market until 2017. She loved to ride for cattle. Horses and cattle were her passion. She was an incredible cook with baking skills that took Grand Champion apple pie at the Okanogan County Fair for 20 years. She was a 4-H 1eader for 20 years. She was inducted into the Washington State University Extension 4-H Hall of Fame on Oct. 20, 2006. She was a member of the Okanogan County Cattlemen, the Farm Bureau, The Friendly Neighbors Club and the Omak Art Club.
Hunting season was always a special time. At the ranch, Celia was up cooking breakfast at 4 a.m. for old friends that came once a year. Apple pie and fresh donuts abounded!
She made and decorated many wedding cakes, often giving them as a wedding gift.
Orvan and Celia loved to dance. They danced at Sam’s Place in Winthrop whenever there was music. They’d get up and dance in the kitchen if a nice song came on the radio during breakfast!
She loved to play pinochle. The Beaver Creek neighbors played pinochle at the Beaver Creek School House on Saturday nights in the winters.
Graveside service will be on Oct. 27, at Beaver Creek Cemetery at 1 p.m., reception following at the Methow Valley Community Center in Twisp, with potluck and stories. She loved plants and flowers! Or you can donate to the Aaron Hammer fund (her great-nephew).
