Irene Kelley, 87

Irene (Wester) Kelley, 87, of Lancaster, passed away on Wednesday, September 9, 2009, at Hospice of Lancaster County. She was born on July 14, 1922, in Plymouth, PA. She was a daughter of the late Oliver and Mary (Dula) Wester. She is survived by her husband William T. Kelley.

Mrs. Kelley went to elementary school in a one room school house. She graduated from Consolidation High School where she was a cheerleader. At the height of World War II amidst rumors that the military would be drafting women, Irene and her two sisters went to Newark, NJ, where she worked wiring panel boards for the Navy. They were known as “Westinghouses’ three little sisters”. Irene then worked at RCA, where she worked on a production line as a supervisor making radio tubes. She later married Mr. Kelley who was her engineer and went on to raise a family. Mrs. Kelley was also involved as a Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout den mother and a member of Saint Thomas Episcopal Church, where she served as an altar guild member. She also served as an Army Reunion Group refreshment chairwoman.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Kelley is survived by two children: Bruce, husband of Nancy Kelley of Florida and grandchildren, Megan and Sean; and daughter Sandra, wife of Mark Law of West Virginia, and one sister, Shirley Searfos. She was preceded in death by her four sisters and two brothers.

Memorial Services will be held on Monday, September 14, 2009, at 11:00 AM from St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 301 Saint Thomas Rd. Lancaster, PA 17601 with Father David Thomas officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:30-11:00 AM. Interment will follow in the St. Thomas Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lancaster County, 685 Good Drive, Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604 or to St. Thomas Episcopal Church Memorial Gardens at the above address.  Arrangements by the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home and Chapel Inc.  To send an online condolence please visit:www.snyderfuneralhome.com