Formatting necessary for an accurate reading of this text may be shown by tags (e.g., <DELETED> or <BOLD>) or may be missing from this TXT display. For complete and accurate display of this text, see the PDF.
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1162]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO HONOR THE LIFE OF ELIZABETH JANE KERLEY
______
HON. ANNA G. ESHOO
of california
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Elizabeth
(Betty) Jane Kerley, who died peacefully at her Rossmoor home on May
22, 2019. Betty was born on March 6, 1923 in Oakland to first-
generation Welsh immigrants, Hugh and Anna Williams. Betty was the
youngest of three children and was very proud of her Welsh stock. She
was a lively and resilient child, qualities that she drew upon
throughout her long life.
When Betty was ten, her mother died of pneumonia. Betty took charge
of the house, helped by her father Hugh and their housekeeper Mrs.
Benson.
Betty's father was a noted professional singer who was once Director
of the famed Grace Cathedral Boys Choir. Believing that his daughter
was a child prodigy, he encouraged her to pursue her unquestionable
musical talents to become a concert pianist. Betty attended San
Francisco State College to pursue a teaching degree, and in 1944, she
married William Strehl, a Seabee who shipped out shortly after their
marriage. Their first child Katherine was born in 1944 and their son
Bill in 1954.
In 1959, Betty became a single mother raising two children on her
own. She secured a position with the University of California's Office
of the President, and worked at UC for 17 years. Betty met and married
Robert F. Kerley (Bob) in 1975, and moved with him to Rossmoor in 1977.
There they joined a vibrant community of UC retirees and enjoyed many
years of retirement. Betty enjoyed art and gardening, and she and Bob
worked tirelessly in her daughter's garden in Menlo Park, California.
She started her own interior decorating company, but her real passion
was painting . . . first with oils and later watercolors. She lived a
long and happy life and was known for her loving smile, her loyalty to
family and friends, her wit and laughter, the glint in her eye and for
always being a classy lady. She was loved by many and will be dearly
missed.
Betty is survived by her two children: Katherine (Bill Dempsey)
Strehl of Menlo Park, California, Bill (Sue) Strehl of Eugene, Oregon
and stepchildren, Kathleen James of Bend, Oregon, Maureen (Taylor)
Douglas of Bend, Oregon, Barbara Neill of Austin, Texas and Bill (Jerri
Townsend) of Austin, Texas; ten grandchildren and three great
grandchildren. Her beloved husband of 31 years, Bob, died in 2006. She
is also survived by her loving caregiver Atiola Raura, Ati's husband
Emosi, and their family of seven children who brought love and joy to
Betty in her last six years of life.
Madam Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me
in honoring the life of Elizabeth Jane Kerley, and in extending our
most sincere condolences to her family and loved ones.
____________________
