Obituary

Jolie Ann Seeley

Jolie Seeley passed away peacefully on March 12, 2025 in her home in Laguna Woods, California. She was 94 years old.

Jolie was born in St. Joseph, Missouri on September 27, 1930. She was a true joy to her family, co-workers, and many friends. She had an infectious laugh and beautiful smile for everyone she met. She was a wonderful dancer and danced regularly into her late 80s.

Her father, Clarence “Bud” Kilbey, was a professional musician in a traveling band. Her mother, Hazel, was the ticket seller. As the Depression deepened, being a member of a traveling band became an unsustainable career, particularly after Jolie was born. Bud was unable to land a job as a laborer, as he had the “soft hands” of a musician. He went to business school and learned shorthand, typing, and business management. In 1938, he took a job as the Clerk Stenographer with the United States District Court in the Canal Zone. Jolie and her mother arrived in the Canal Zone when she was 8 years old.

Jolie attended East Balboa Elementary School, Ancon Elementary School, and Balboa Junior High School. She graduated from Balboa High School in 1948 and from Canal Zone College in 1950. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh in 1961.

While at Canal Zone College she met Ronald Seeley and they were married in the Balboa Union Church in April of 1951. The wedding reception was held at the Tivoli Hotel. Many years after they were married, they learned that they had both been attending a movie at Balboa Theater on December 7, 1941 when the movie was stopped, the house lights were turned on, and the theater manager walked onto to the stage to announce that the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor and that all patrons were to return to their homes immediately and await further instructions. Later, as a teenager, Jolie worked as the movie box office cashier at Balboa Theater.

Her daughter, Laura Seeley, was born in Denver, Colorado in 1952 and herson, Glenn Seeley, was born at Gorgas Hospital in the Canal Zone in 1954.

Jolie christened the tugboat PAZ (Peace) at a ceremony held at Diablo Pier in 1984 and the Marine Director congratulated Jolie for, “Bringing Peace to the Panama Canal.” Jolie retired from the Panama Canal Commission as the Administrative Officer of the Office of Financial Management in 1989. She was awarded a Gold Key to the Locks in the rank of Master Administrative Officer from D.P. McAuliffe, the Chief Administrator of the Panama Canal Commission.

Ron retired as the Personnel Director of the Panama Canal Commission and they had a joint retirement party. They were thrilled that both their children flew to the Canal Zone for the huge party and to spend a farewell week as a family before Jolie and Ron left to reside in the United States.

Shortly after she and Ron retired in 1989, they bought their first and only home in Laguna Woods, California. Jolie was heartbroken when Ron passed away only two years after their retirement. Friends and family told her to stay busy and she followed their advice. She served as President of the American Association of University Women Club of Laguna Woods, belonged to an exercise group that went to lunch after every workout session, and belonged to a women’s social club. Jolie loved to dance and belonged to at least two different dinner-dancing clubs, including a ballroom dancing club. Jolie loved theater and music and attended countless theatrical and musical productions with family and friends.

Jolie met Bob Christians at a Laguna Woods dance class and they danced and traveled for many years. He was a retired naval aviator and could keep up with Jolie who lived her life with abundant energy and enthusiasm.

During her retirement, Jolie traveled and cruised all over the United States and many parts of the world. For many years she joined Laura and her husband’s family in Maui for two weeks in May where she recognized every flower, tree and bush from her life in Panama. Jolie always kept her passport current so she could join in on trips to Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Tahiti, Canada, Mexico, China, Europe, Argentina, and Turkey.

Jolie passed away less than a month after receiving a terminal diagnosis. Her three grandchildren, Stephanie Freberg (Austin, TX), Nicholas Seeley (Santa Clarita, CA) and Evan Seeley (Rowlett, TX) were all able to visit with her one last time before her soul went home to God.

She is survived by her sister Christine “Tina” Luken, daughter Laura Rydell and her husband Richard, son Glenn Seeley and his wife Christina (Efthimiadis), her grandchildren, Stephanie Freberg and her husband Garrett, Nicholas Seeley and his wife Holly, and Evan Seeley his wife Stacy, and Jolie’s great-grandchildren, Hazel, Juliette, Elijah, and Abel Seeley, Lukas Freberg, Gavin and Gabriel Seeley, step-grandchildren Bailey, Luke and Logan Holmes and many nieces and nephews. Her pride in her family and her generosity toward them will always be appreciated and cherished.

Jolie will be greatly missed by all who knew her. The memory of her radiant spirit will always bring smiles to our faces and warmth to our hearts. We hope there was a terrific dance band when she reunited with Ron and they dance for joy forever!

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 28 in a private family ceremony. For additional information, contact the O’Connor Mortuary at: oconnormortuary.com or (949) 581-4300. In her memory, in lieu of flowers, you can seek joy, share it with others, and help make the world a better place.