Ethel Kelley Woomer

Ethel Elizabeth (Betty) Kelley Woomer, age 84, of Glendale, AZ, passed away on May 7, 2013. Ethel was born in Altoona, PA to Ethel Bahn Kelley and Kenneth C. Kelley, Sr., on May 5, 1929. Betty graduated from Altoona High School. She was married to Van O. Woomer on December 23, 1950, and he preceded her in death on October 26, 2008. Betty and Van moved around the world together, when he was in the U.S. Air Force. She spent 15 years as a stay at home mom, before restarting a career in Civil Service. Betty’s career: a telephone operator in Washington D.C., in base supply – supporting fighter jets for Vietnam at Shaw Air Force Base in SC, for U.S. Geological Survey in Flagstaff, and for U.S. Department of Agriculture (Water Lab) in Phoenix. As Betty moved with her husband, she also worked as a secretary for a variety of businesses from SC to Alaska. Betty enjoyed art, travel, and animals. She is survived by her sons, Van Michael (Nancy) and Christopher J. (Rita) Woomer; daughter, Barbara (Ron) Gibson; grandchildren: Sheryl Ventura, R. Scott Gibson, Leah Woomer, Katherine Marshall, Christina Miner, Victoria Preston, Ben Woomer, Brenda Woomer; and 8 great grandchildren. Betty was preceded in death by her brother, Kenneth C. Kelley, Jr. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, May 19, at Celebration Lutheran Church, 8726 W. Olive Avenue, Peoria, AZ. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution of your time or a donation to a non-profit organization that works to the benefit of animals.