The Winthrop Improvement and Historical Association (WIHA) community lost our past president and a great friend when Ethel C. Kelley passed on Aug. 31. She had been well enough to attend the Board BBQ 10 days earlier and we were thrilled she could join us.
Ethel made her mark as president (2010-2016) by expanding the outreach of our organization into the Winthrop community. Under Ethel’s leadership, WIHA joined the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce. We also successfully partnered with other organizations such as the Winthrop Art Association to present cultural events in the town.
Ethel loved the Barn and its potential. She spent many hours there before our monthly dinner meetings making sure every detail was perfect. New centerpieces and decorations would be on the tables each month donated “anonymously.†One Christmas she told us that she wanted to get a tree for the Barn. Imagine our surprise when not only one, but three beautifully decorated artificial trees — one in red, one in gold, and one in silver and blue — magically appeared, again an “anonymous†donation.
Ethel Kelley had a very generous heart. There are many examples of her acts of kindness in the community. If someone needed a helping hand, Ethel was there. Although she has left us, her wisdom, her elegance, and her quiet strength will continue to inspire our organization