Emily Kelley
Emily Mae (Kenneth) Kelley
April 11, 1915 – October 9, 1979
Born in Everett, Washington, Emily grew up in different places, as her mom and dad moved about the Northwest in search of better jobs and a better life for their only child. Emily lived in Everett, Seattle and in Astoria, Oregon, where she attended grade school and high school with James Winfield Kelley, who was to become her husband of 39 years. Together they attended what would become Oregon State University and married on November 3, 1939.
She majored in Home Economics and learned to be a dedicated mother and wife. She and Jim raised two sons, James William (born 1941) and Douglas Dean (born 1946) Kelley.
She loved the ocean and spent long hours with family or, on occasion, by herself wandering the beaches (especially in Oregon) searching for the undiscovered “treasure” of a whole sand dollar or shell. But, she also enjoyed the mountains. Mt. St. Helens in Washington was a absolute favorite, as characterized by the fact that whenever her sons returned for a visit, a trip to “the mountain” was always in order – rain or shine, snow or sun - one could always count on that trip. After all, she would say, it will only take us about an hour to get there – regardless of how many stops we made along the way. Trips to the beach and trips to the mountain remained special to her always.
She spent a number of years as a social worker for the Cowlitz County office of the state department of public assistance in Washington and was at once flabbergasted and overjoyed to be working with people who were “less fortunate,” often due to circumstances beyond their control. On more than one occasion she rounded up food, furniture and/or clothing to help out a family that didn’t somehow meet the “state guidelines” for welfare assistance. And the sons were often drafted to assist in the collection and delivery of those items.
Emily had a mind of her own and strength of conviction to go along with that; yet she was compassionate and caring. She also had a wonderful sense of humor.
Emily continued to be concerned about others even during the time she knew about her own particular circumstance – on one occasion reminding her sons of things and people that needed to be taken care of even after she was gone. A truly remarkable woman, mother and wife.
From: Cindy - Monday, October 29, 2007 at 10:49:32 AM CST
My daughter, born 12/21/79, is named Emily Mae Kelley. I'm so sorry for the loss of your Emily.