Alice lived in Gardiner and Reedsport on the Oregon coast in her youth. She graduated from Reedsport Union High School in 1955. In 1960 she graduated from the five year Baccalaureate program at the University of Oregon Medical School, School of Nursing with three years of Oregon Health Sciences University experience.
Alice was married on June 23, 1961, to Norman F. Kelley, the love of her life. Alice and Norm moved to rural West Salem in 1964. They loved their home, garden, and woods, and enjoyed many good times with their wonderful neighbors. Alice and Norm had two daughters, Amanda and Becky, whom they loved very much; she and Norm proudly pronounced them the “World’s Best Kids.”
Alice worked first as a Douglas County public health nurse, then for 24 years at Marion County Health Department in a variety of capacities, including leading home care and hospice programs, which became a life-long passion. She later worked as Director at Willamette Falls Home Care in Oregon City, and retired in 1993. Her commitment to elder care continued with part-time work at Willson House in Salem and serving as a Parish Nurse at Calvary Baptist Church where she was a member. At Calvary, Alice and Susannah Dahill launched and served as Co-Program Coordinators of “Faith in Action-Caregiver Connection”, a program for recruiting and supporting volunteers to provide relief for caregivers of those with memory loss.
Alice and Norm were members of the Yaquina Bay Yacht Club in Newport, OR and enjoyed sailing their 25’ sailboat Nightwind in Yaquina Bay, on the Columbia River, in Puget Sound and around the San Juan Islands.
Alice loved gardening, cooking and entertaining, and was a life-long learner, taking classes in computer skills and cooking, and experimenting with many crafts, such as macramé, stained glass, batik and sewing. She and Norm enjoyed country drives and travel around Oregon after retirement, including spending time at the family property at Floras Lake.
Alice taught her girls that they could do and be anything they wanted. She was deeply compassionate. She was a fighter, surmounting many personal obstacles in her life with strength, determination and humor. Her sense of humor persisted, even as her dementia progressed, and brought joy to those around her. Mom was strong, funny, loving, and dearly beloved. We will miss her so, but are glad that she is released from suffering and will live on in so many hearts.
Alice is survived by husband, Norman Kelley; daughters Amanda Weller (Aaron) of Portland, OR and Becky Kelley (David Edelstein) of Seattle, WA; granddaughters Kendra Weller and Zora Kelley Edelstein; cousins Marcia Chiaudano and Jim Laskey; nephews David and Dan Teitzel and niece Deborah Arce. Alice was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Rodney and Lillian, and sister Barbara Teitzel.
The family would like to thank neighbors June and Ian Deuchars, caregiver and friend Patti Byrd, and the staff at Orchard Heights and Willamette Valley Hospice, all of whom provided for Alice’s safety and comfort in her final years.
Memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children (where Alice received treatment for a bone disease as a child), the Alzheimer’s Association or Willamette Valley Hospice.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 12 at 1pm at Calvary Baptist Church (1230 Liberty St SE) in Salem, OR. Visitation will be from 9 to 11am at Howell, Edwards Funeral Home in Salem. Interment will follow the memorial service in a private ceremony at Spring Valley Cemetery.
You are invited to share photos and memories in the online guestbook at: www.hed-fh.com
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