Hattie Hope Kelley

Her father, Reginald Pentland Mecham, from Bellinger, Australia, and her mother, Jessie Ann Duncan, from Edinburgh, Scotland, met on Vancouver Island, where her brother, Walter (1913), and sister, Margaret (1911), were born. Hattie arrived on August 30, 1923, in Tulare, California, becoming the first American-born Meacham.

She grew up in the toughest of times, and remembered the Great Depression. As a way to save money, her mother told her she could have either peanut butter or jelly, but not both, on a graham cracker. In grade school, she helped the family financially by working in the California fields.

She had sparkling blue eyes, a beautiful smile, a strong will, an outgoing personality, quick wit, and a love of meeting new people and saying “yes” to new experiences.

Hattie was passionate about family, friends, education, dancing, theater, football, entertaining, and helping others.

She met Frank Carper Kelley, at a dance, and the two wed, remaining married for just short of 50 years, until Frank’s passing in December of 1997.

Her pastimes included playing cards and games with friends, sewing, needlepoint, cooking, decorating her home for every holiday, and creating a beautiful, welcoming home. Hattie was known for being a very ‘snappy dresser’, always presenting herself with immaculate style.

Hattie served in the United States Marine Corps from 1943 to 1945 during WWII. While on active duty she served as a recruiter, and had that mentality for the rest of her life.

She worked for Tektronix for 30 years: 1960 to 1990. Hattie made many lasting friendships at “Tek”, and last met with her friends for a Christmas gathering in December 2022.

Hattie rejoined her Marine family in 1990 as a member of Lady Marine Rose Chapter OR-1 of the Women Marines Association. She served as their President from 1996 to 1998, and again in 2002. One of her most loved activities was their scholarship program, especially activities to raise money for making possible frequent awarding of college scholarships. For young people choosing college and having a family member in the military, she encouraged excellence which would allow them to be sponsored for a scholarship made available through “OR-1”. She was very inspired by that; also visiting high schools and educating students about WWII. She also enjoyed interacting with young cadets, and was honored to present a Marine Officer Sword to an outstanding OSU NROTC graduate.

She participated on the Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Oregon and Washington for several years; also participated in the Portland Veterans Day Parades, once as a Grand Marshal, and Hillsboro Independence Day Parades; ...always recruiting! Her favorite flowers: “Lady Marine Rose”, and “Because She Served”.

KGW-TV recently broadcasted a ‘biographical sketch’ of Hattie.

Marine Kelley loved her Marines, serving as a positive voice for them until her death, and always received love and support from them. When she looked back on her early Marine experience, she said it always brings a smile to her face. She said, “It has enriched my life -- They say, ‘Once a Marine, always a Marine’. It’s true!”. Hattie will be missed by the many whose lives she touched.

She is survived by her son, Marc; daughters, Stephene and Susan; five granddaughters, AJ, Lisa, Shawn, Brittany, and Krista; and one great-grandchild, Blake, who was born August 30, 2006, Hattie’s Birthday!

Hattie loved them deeply, and was loved deeply in return.

--- “Fair Winds and Following Seas – Rest in Peace, Sgt. Kelley.” ---

A graveside service with Full Military Honors will be at 12:45 p.m., Friday, March 17, 2023, in Willamette National Cemetery. A celebration of life reception will follow in Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home. The procession of vehicles will depart Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 11801 SE Mt Scott Blvd, Portland, OR 97086, at 12:20 p.m. for the cemetery. Guests wishing to attend only the reception are advised to arrive at Lincoln Memorial Park & Funeral Home, at 1:30 p.m.