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BORN
1928
DIED
2018
FUNERAL HOME
Elva Calemine Obituary
Elva was born December 6, 1928, in Hancock, Maryland, to the late George McKinley and Lydia M. (Mitchell) Diehl. She often told stories about her hard scrabble yet carefree childhood growing up near the canal during the Great Depression. Her beloved cow Bessie was washed away in the 1936 flood. Elva loved walks in nature and had a plainspoken and dry sense of humor that would leave listeners suddenly in stitches.
After graduating from Hancock High School in 1946, Elva went to Cumberland for nursing school at Memorial Hospital where she graduated in 1949 and made several lifelong friends. Around this time, in 1950, she met and married her husband, Reno Calemine. Elva spent the bulk of her career as a registered nurse caring for patients at Potomac Valley Hospital, Lions Manor Nursing Home, and later at Heartland of Keyser Nursing Home until her retirement.
Elva and Reno raised a son and daughter and helped raise grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Elva loved to travel. She and Reno made several cross country road trips, trying to visit every state capitol. She also traveled to England, Scotland, continental Europe, and the Holy Land. She was a parishioner and volunteer of the Church of the Assumption in Keyser as well as the Ladies Guild of the church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband Reno; her brothers Grant and David Diehl, killed in action in World War II, and her son-in-law Howard James Hastings, Jr. Elva is survived by her son Joe Calemine, daughter Carla Hastings, nephew Joe Diehl, daughter-in-law Sue Calemine, three grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren.
Friends may call at the Smith Funeral Home, Keyser Chapel, on Sunday, January 6, 2019 from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Church of the Assumption, Keyser, on Monday, January 7, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. with Father Thomas Anatharackal as celebrant.
Private interment will be in the St. Thomas Cemetery, Keyser.
Condolences and personal reflections to the family may be left after Mrs. Calemine's obituary at smithfuneralhomes.net.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Elva Calemine
Sponsored by Smith Funeral Home-Keyser Chapel.
4 Entries
Barbara Land
January 24, 2019
Elva and my mom (Helen Iman Harrison) worked together at the hospital. She always spoke fondly of her. Condolences to the family
Dave and Ina Canfield
January 3, 2019
What a special woman. We knew Elva when she was in her 20s, and kept in touch until only a month ago. In 1955,Elva and Reno were Godparents to our first child. Dennis. She was one gracious, classy, yet fun loving person. Her and Reno were a fabulous couple, the likes of which are rare. She seemed to be everything to every one...a dedicated nurse, devout christian, loving mother and grandmother, and fantastic friend. She was a delight to be around.
Our deepest sympathy to her family. We will remember her always.
Dave and Ina (Feather) Canfield
Linds Renee Smith
January 3, 2019
What a smart, fun loving and beautiful woman . One of the village who reared me. My patent's friend for life. One of my inspirations to be a registered nurse. Reno and Elva are back together in heaven as it should be. I will miss them.
Brenda Hodge
January 2, 2019
Lovely lady worked with her in the 80s at Heartland Of Keyser as a nursing assistant, went on to get my LPN license, which she encouraged a lit of us to do. Also knew Reno at his shop in Keyser. Condolences to the family. RIP .
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Jan
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Calling hours
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Smith Funeral Home-Keyser Chapel85 S. Main Street, Keyser, WV 26726
Jan
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Smith Funeral Home-Keyser Chapel85 S. Main Street, Keyser, WV 26726
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