Elizabeth Dickman "Betty" McKELLAR

McKELLAR, Elizabeth "Betty" Dickman, 88, of Nanuet, N.Y., peacefully departed this life in Richmond, Va. on October 22, 2009. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Hargrove McKellar. Survivors include daughters, Elizabeth Eastlake and her husband, Arthur, of Richmond, Va., and Kathryn Lackey of McKinney, Texas; grandchildren, Stephanie Higginbotham, Joshua Eastlake, Kaitlyn Lackey and Grayson Lackey. Betty touched many lives and she will be greatly missed. Her vocal music career spanned over 50 years. As a music teacher with East Ramapo Central School District, Rockland County, N.Y., she taught two family generations while serving in community choirs. She was an active member of the Pearl River United Methodist Church music ministry, Pearl River, N.Y. During WWII, she sang with USO Camp Shows, entertaining US troops abroad. She later continued her music studies in Rome, Italy, while working in intelligence at the US Embassy. She earned her Bachelor's in music from Greensboro College, Greensboro, N.C. and masters in music education from Manhattan School of Music, New York, N.Y. The family thanks Spring Arbor of Salisbury Assisted Living, Rockwell Physicians, Johnston-Willis Hospital and Hospice of VA - Retreat Hospital for their dedication and care. Her life will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on October 31, 2009 at a graveside service, Mt. Hope Cemetery, Florence, S.C., directed by Waters-Powell Funeral Home. Hospice of VA welcomes donations in her honor at 7231 Forest Ave, #100, Richmond, Va. 23226.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.