Lena C. Petty (Sequestri)

Lena Catherine Petty, 105, died at her home in Vancouver on January 13. She was born June 19, 1920, to Italian immigrants Tito Lino Sequestri and Rosalia Brambani on their farm in Northern California. She spent the first 91 years of her life in Humboldt County before moving to Oregon to join her daughter. In 2023 she moved to Vancouver, the city where she and her husband Reg were married in 1944. Lena’s parents both died before her 11 th birthday. She was then raised in Eureka by her mother’s cousin Charlie Maffia and his family. In her nearly 106 years she lived through Prohibition (when government agents searched farms for alcohol), the Depression, World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam conflict. She watched the rise of rock n roll, the Beatles (whom she saw in person in 1965), the turmoil of the 1960s and so much more with wisdom and a deep understanding of what is important in life. She worked in retail and accounting, baked wonderful cherry pies with cherries from her own tree, and sang while cooking Italian specialties. Always ready for adventure, she traveled alone and with others to Europe many times. She loved to dance. She and her partner Alfred (Al) participated in numerous Swing and Dixieland Jazz Festivals around the U.S. where they were known for their graceful, close and fast West Coast Swing style. She was accepting of others as she found them, quick to share wisdom and her frequent smile, and loved her family fiercely. In addition to her parents, she outlived her brother Peter Lee and sister Mary, her husband Reginald Petty, her long-time companion and dancing partner Alfred Foster, her daughter-in-law Tana Wells, and most of her generation of family and friends. She is survived by her son David of Etoy, Switzerland; her daughter Diana and husband John Bosshardt of Vancouver, WA; her grandson Damien and wife Kirsten of Los Angeles, CA; her niece Joanne Kratzwald and nephew Tom Smith; grandnephew Guy Smith and grandnieces Debbi Logue Lal and Kitty Bryan; and several generations of cousins and dear friends. The family will forever be grateful to Gigi and Julia Bittar, Evelia Lim and Casey Heist of G&J In Home Care who cared for Lena in her home in Lake Oswego for several years, and to the dedicated staff at Touchmark at Fairway Village Memory Care in Vancouver. Her final days were greatly eased by Providence Hospice. Those who wish to make gifts in Lena’s memory are invited to contribute to an animal rescue organization or school music program of their choice. Services will be held in Eureka, CA at a later date.

Lena C. Petty (Sequestri)

June 19, 1920 - January 13, 2026