Obituaries

Barbara L. Kelley

07/14/1946 - 12/28/2024

Text:

Obituary For Barbara L. Kelley

Barbara L. Kelley

July 14, 1946 – December 28, 2024

Barbara L. Kelley, 78, Altoona, passed away Saturday at her residence.

Barbara was born in Altoona, daughter of the late Harry R. and Marguerite E. (White) Ermin. She married Robert S. Kelley on August 18, 1984 and he preceded her in death on July 12, 2005.

She is survived by three sisters: Renee Hetrick (Tim) of Altoona, Emily J. Biss (Jim) of Hollidaysburg, and Amy B. Grattan (Tim) of State College. She had two stepchildren: Deidre and Gavin.

She is also survived by an aunt, Eleanor Johnson; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Barbara was preceded in death by a sister Eleanor J. Tyler (Craig).

She was a 1964 graduate of Bellwood Antis High School; a 1968 graduate of Union College and received her master’s degree from Union College as a reading specialist.

Barbara was an elementary teacher from 1968-1971 at Bellwood Antis School District and was a reading specialist at Altoona Area School District from 1971-2004.

She was a member of Llyswen United Methodist Church. She was also a member of Blair County Association of School Retirees and National Education Association of the US.

Barbara enjoyed many diverse activities throughout her life, including playing violin with the Altoona Symphony Orchestra, learning to master piano playing (where she met her husband), becoming certified in income tax preparation, banquet waitressing at the former Altoona Sheraton Hotel, attending group classes and producing numerous landscape oil paintings, creating and tending to her amazing flower gardens and household plants, cooking and baking, playing Sudoku and working in crossword puzzles.

Barbara loved reading and completed a vast subject of books throughout her lifetime.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, January 13, 2025 at Blair Memorial Park, 3234 E. Pleasant Valley Blvd, Altoona, PA 16601 by Rev. Lenore Hosier. Interment will follow at Blair Memorial Park.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to: Everstand (formerly the United Methodist Children’s Home), 5120 Simpson Ferry Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050-3627 or Habitat for Humanity of Blair County, 1605 Moore St., Huntingdon, PA 16652.

Arrangements are by E. Merrill Smith Funeral Home, Inc.

Condolences may be made at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com or Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook.

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Condolences

  • 01/02/2025

    I had the pleasure of working with Barb in Altoona. She was a very interesting person to talk with. She had a heart for teaching and a heart for learning. May the Lord give peace to the families involved. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.

Tributes

  • Dreams From the Heart Bouquet

    Kelley Tegarden Family sent Dreams From the Heart Bouquet for Barbara L. Kelley - 01/11/2025

    Our deepest sympathies and aloha to the family. Barbara will be remembered fondly by so many whose lives she touched.

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