Ruth H. (Walker) McNelly, widow of the late Robert H. McNelly, of Royersford, PA, passed away on September 16, 2014 at her home. She was 97.
She was born in East Fallowfield Twp., Chester County to the late Harry F. and Mary S. (Gray) Walker, who were born in Delaware.
A graduate of Coatesville High School, Mrs. McNelly was first employed by her father as a bookkeeper for the Brandywine Transit Company until moving with her husband to Royersford where he was named Coach and Athletic Director of Spring-Ford High School. From 1946-1952, she was a newspaper reporter in Phoenixville, then in 1954 she became Executive Secretary at the Phoenixville Hospital in the office of the Administrator, Edward P. Street. In 1966, she secured a position at General Electric at King of Prussia as a secretary in the engineering office at the time of the completion of the Apollo Project. After retirement in 1970 she took a part time teller position at Industrial Valley Bank, Royersford.
She and “Coach” traveled throughout the United States and Canada in the summers and after his retirement.
Mrs. McNelly extended her education with evening courses at Ursinus College, Penn State Extension Courses and seminars on banking operations, as well as computer education at Montgomery County Community College.
A member of the Women’s Club, The Pilot Club of Valley Forge, Grace Lutheran Church, AARP, Mrs. McNelly was also a former member of the ChesMont Business and Professional Women. In each of these groups she held offices. She was also a member for sixty years of the Missonary Society of the Baptist Church group called the Mildred Kent Guild in Coatesville. Locally, she was a member of Spring-Ford Historical Society.
Surviving are three grandchildren: Michael Witte, Robert J. McNelly and Elizabeth R. McNelly, five great-grandsons, a great-granddaughter and son-in-law Martin Witte, of Limerick. There are also several nieces surviving in Chester County, a nephew in Delaware County and two cousins in Delaware. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her children: Robert Glenn McNelly and Lynne M. Witte.
Services will be held on Monday, September 22, 2014 at 1:00 PM at Cattermole-Klotzbach Funeral Home, 600 Washington St. Royersford, PA 19468. Officiating will be Rev. Janelle Krais. Calling time is from 12-1:00 PM. Burial will be in Limerick Garden of Memories. Online condolences may be offered at www.royersfordfuneralhome.com.