Nancy W. Kelly

Nancy W. Kelly
Nancy W. Kelly, wife of Philip D. Miller, died in her home in Richland Township on Saturday, January 27. She was 73. Born Nancy Ann Woodford to Ruth (Applegate) and Clifford Woodford in Washington, D.C., she graduated there from Woodrow Wilson High School and from Southern Seminary. She married Kerwin F. Kelly in 1951. They moved to Quakertown in 1962 where they started and ran Kelly Construction Company. Mr. Kelly died in 1985. In 1989, Mrs. Kelly married Philip D. Miller, the president of Quakertown National Bank. In addition to Mr. Miller, Mrs. Kelly is survived by her daughter, Pamela W. Kelly of Brooklyn, New York, and her sons, Kerwin W. Kelly of New Orleans, Louisiana, Stephen P. Kelly of Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, and James W. Kelly of Sharpsburg, Georgia. She was predeceased by her grandson, Kyle Kelly. She had eight grandchildren and one great-grandson. An accomplished and avid pilot, Mrs. Kelly took part in the Great Transatlantic Air Race in 1969, a race commemorating the first transatlantic crossing 50 years earlier by Alcock and Brown. In a twin-engine Cessna with the seats removed to accommodate extra fuel tanks, she flew from New York to London enduring freezing temperatures, a malfunctioning radio, and dangerous weather conditions in a record time of 22 hours, 31 minutes, and 57 seconds to win the race as the fastest woman in a light aircraft. That record still stands. At the gala in honor of the winners, she was greeted by Prince Philip, the husband of the Queen of England, who asked her if she would ever want to go through anything like that again, to which she replied, When is the next race! Services: A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. in United Church of Christ, Park Avenue, Quakertown on Thursday, February 1, 2007. Calling hour 1 p.m. The Jeffrey A. Naugle Funeral Home, 20 N. Ambler St., Quakertown, is in charge of arrangements. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Life Span Quakertown or a hospice of your choice.