Eva N. Kelly

Eva N Kelly passed away Friday, March 16, 2018 at Meadowbrook Place in Baker City, Oregon.  A traditional funeral service will be held April 6th @ 11 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Baker City.  Interment will follow at the Haines Cemetery. 

Eva was born on June 7, 1930 to Monroe and Nellie (Mills) Noble in Wendell, Idaho.  She spent her childhood in Grouse Creek, Idaho and Walla Walla, Washington, graduating from Walla Walla High School in 1947.

Eva married Richard D. Benzel on August 2, 1947.  They had three children; Linda Louise, Henry Richard and Paula Jan.   She served her family as a homemaker for many years before working as an Administrative Assistant on the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Richland, Washington.   Eva lived in Montana, Idaho, Washington, Nevada, California, Wyoming, Oregon and Arizona.  Some of the states she lived in more than once.  In every place she lived, she created a loving home and gathered circles of friends.

Eva loved to go dancing.  A favorite thought or phrase of which she will be remembered for is "Do not confuse me with the facts."  She was a proud and independent woman who had an opinion on almost everything and she was delighted to share.  Family members remember her laughter – it was beautiful.

Later in life, she married Patrick James Kelly.  She elected to keep the name Kelly as it suited her.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Monroe, Vern, Ernest, Melvin, Wayne, Jay and Mary.

Eva is survived by her children Linda Rich and husband Charles of Baker City, Oregon; Henry Benzel and wife, Shirley of Richland, Washington; Paula Raevsky and husband, Philip of Grand Junction, Colorado; nieces considered daughters Jean Martin and Cindy Noble;  9 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren with one more arriving in June. She is also survived by her siblings, Earl, Alnora, and Orson.

For those who would like to make a memorial donation in honor of Eva, the family suggests Mayday inc. through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834.  On line condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com