Bethea Rowley Kelley, 89, formerly of Beaver, died in her home in Avalon, surrounded by angels at sunset on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. Daughter of the late H.E. and Winifred (Conley) Rowley, she was born and raised in Ambridge along with her beloved brother, the late Charles Dana "Danny" Rowley. She was preceded in death by her best-beloved, Peter John Kelley, devoted husband of 65 years. Also preceding her were their three sons Micheal Sean, Patrick Owen and Peter John Kelley.

A graduate of Ambridge High School (*52) and Allegheny General Hospital School of Nursing ('55), she enjoyed a decades-long career as a nurse in a time when care meant caring, when bedside back rubs were protocol. She also enjoyed a second career as a writer, serving as a news correspondent for the Beaver County Times, and co-author of Twentieth Century History of Beaver County Pennsylvania, 1900-1988.

Volunteer extraordinaire, from church cookie and pierogi making to Hurricane Katrina cleanup to serving as the MDA summer camp nurse, she poured herself into whatever worthy cause presented itself. Devout Roman Catholic, football pool coordinator, creative genius, project queen, prankster-in-chief, banjoist, expert sewist and wordsmith, lover of babies, dogs, and all things Irish, she will be deeply missed by many.

She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Bridget Lynne Kelley and John Stoofhoff of Maple Falls, WA, Mary Kate Kelley and Ryan Little of Pittsburgh, two grandsons, Joseph (Ji) Little and Owen Little of Pittsburgh, two step-grandchildren, Michael Stoothoff and Jamie Stoothoff of Maple Falls, godson James Joseph Timney, fairy goddaughter Colleen Kelley Whalen, and many, many adored nieces, nephews, greats and great-greats.

Friends and family will be received in church on Friday, September 19th from 9 a.m. until time of Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in St. James Roman Catholic Church-Divine Redeemer Parish, 200 Walnut St., Sewickley, PA 15143. Interment to follow mass in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park. Arrangements are entrusted to RICHARD D. COLE FUNERAL HOME, LTD., 1316 4th Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 15108. To order flowers or to leave a memory of Bethea, visit our website: www.richarddcolefh.com