Barbara L. Kelley

Barbara married Robert S. Kelley on Aug. 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 Tegarden and Gavin Kelley. 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 Indiana University of Pennsylvania as a reading specialist.

Barbara was an elementary teacher from 1968-71 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 U.S.

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 on 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, Jan. 13, 2025, at Blair Memorial Park, 3234 E. Pleasant Valley Blvd., Altoona, by the Rev. Lenore Hosier. Interment will follow at Blair Memorial Park.

Arrangements are by E. Merrill Smith Funeral Home Inc., 2309 Broad Ave., Altoona.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to United Methodist Children’s Home, 5120 Simpson Ferry Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050-3627; or Habitat for Humanity of Blair County, 301 Valley View Blvd., Altoona.

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