Meriem Roby Anderson, 44-W-4 | January 5, 2018

"I was crazy about flying and as a little kid, even through grade school, I built model planes."

                   WASP Roby Anderson, 44-W-4 

Meriem Lucille Roby Anderson lived her life as a feisty, independent Flint Hills rancher up until a few months ago, when she suffered a debilitating fall.

The 96-year-old was tough as nails and had spent a lifetime creating a legacy. She was a member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots, an elite group of more than 1,000 women who flew aircraft during World War II.

She died Friday, January 5, 2018, at the Greenwood County Hospital in Eureka.

________________________________________________

Mrs. Anderson was born July 12, 1921, in Eureka, Kansas. Her parents – E.C. and Leota Roby – had means. She attended elementary and high school at Mrs. Harris’ School for Girls in Miami Beach, Fla., where her parents lived during the winter. 

The Robys would return each summer to their Flint Hills ranch. According to her daughter-in-law, Madeline Anderson, the first winter a young Meriem stayed in Eureka, she helped train 400 head of horses to send to the Army in France.

“I wanted to fly ever since I was a little kid,” Mrs. Anderson told the Eagle in 2004. “My parents weren’t real happy about it, but they felt differently after I got my wings.”

WASP took the same ground school and flight training as the men, except for combat flying. They flew aircraft from factories to overseas bases, towed targets for live anti-aircraft practice, transported cargo and test-flew repaired planes at U.S. bases before they were turned over to the male pilots. It was a select but dangerous duty. Of the 1,074 women who passed all the training, at least 38 were killed in the service.

Mrs. Anderson was stationed at Enid Army Air Base in Oklahoma, test-flying trainers after they had been repaired or worked on for any reason. 

Unlike other women’s branches of the service, WASPs were slow to be recognized as members of the military instead of civil-service employees. In 2010, Anderson and about 200 other WASPs went to Washington to receive Congressional Gold Medals for their service.

At the end of the war, when the WASPs were disbanded, she married Alexander “Harry” Anderson Jr. in Kansas City on Dec. 31, 1945. They lived on her family’s ranch, calling it the “Dead End Ranch.” 

Her passions were flying and animals; big band, reggae and steel drum music; and watching “Gunsmoke” and “Walker, Texas Ranger” reruns.

“There were no Hallmark movies with her,” Madeline Anderson said.   She raised appaloosa horses, buffalo, chickens, guineas, and peacocks and had 17 cats and 34 dogs.

Throughout her life, she faithfully maintained her ties with the other WASPs, returning each Memorial Day weekend to Sweetwater, Texas, where a museum to them had been established. 

“You could tell when these women got together — from a distance, they looked like these silver-haired ladies with walkers and wheelchairs,” Madeline Anderson said. “But when you listened to them, they were just a bunch of pilots sitting around. The ones that knew each other insulted and loved each other. She had great camaraderie with them and they meant the world to her.

“The one thing that endured in her life was that she was a WASP. She was most proud of that and we would drive from Eureka to Sweetwater each year where we had wonderful times. She was part of those scrappy few who still got together.”

Mrs. Anderson was a life member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots, the Women Military Aviators Association and the Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots.
She continued flying until the 1970s.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Madeline Anderson of Boulder, Colo.; friend Larry Richardson of Eureka; and granddaughter, Theresa L. Anderson.

Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday at Greenwood Abbey, Greenwood Cemetery, in Eureka. Col. Marilyn Jenkins of the United States 

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials be made to the Greenwood County Hospital or the Kansas Humane Society. Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 595, Eureka, KS 67045, which is overseeing arrangements.

Posted as written by Beccy Tanner: 316-268-6336, @beccytanner
and as published in the Wichita Eagle

Photos added from Wings Across America

Personal Note:

WASP Roby Anderson was just plain one-of-a-kind. Daughter of a Texas Ranger, she was a true cowgirl who fell in love with flying!   

We were honored to visit her at her beautiful Dead End Ranch in Eureka, Kansas.  We watched as a small herd of beefalo came to the fence to say hello.   She was a bit camera shy and wasn't too excited to share her story...but she did. She didn't think it was that important.  It was.  She was.  

She had a quiet sense of patriotism and a deep love of her country and the women she served with. In Roby, there was pure joy.  She loved to laugh, and when she talked about flying, her face lit up and her eyes just sparkled.

What an honor to know her and call her friend.  

God bless all of those touched by this amazing, joyful woman.

Respectfully,

Nancy Parrish

Gloria Whitton Heath, 44-5 | December 16, 2017

"When I was a freshman at Smith (College), my brother, then enrolled in his university's CPTP program, had talked his instructor into taking me up.  The brief flight set the course for my future."

                  WASP Gloria Heath


Aviation pioneer and longtime Greenwich, CT resident, Gloria W. Heath, passed on peacefully at her home on Saturday, December 16, 2017. She was 95. 

Gloria was born in New York City to Royal Vale and Lillian Hart Heath in 1922.  She graduated from the Putney School in Vermont in 1939, and Smith College in 1943, where she was a competitive and dedicated three-sport athlete, playing basketball, ice hockey, and lacrosse as an undergraduate at Smith. 

She went on to compete nationally and internationally in Women's Lacrosse. In 1951, she traveled to Great Britain as a member of the touring team. Gloria also served as President of the U.S. Women's Lacrosse Association, and she was inducted into the Inaugural Class of the Smith College Pioneer Athletic Hall of fame in 1971. In 2006, she was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame. 

While Gloria was at Smith College, her older brother, Royal, encouraged her to fly. He was taking flying lessons at the time and had his instructor take her up in a plane. Her love for flying was so great, that she encouraged 14 other women attending Smith College to take flying lessons also, and they all bought a plane together. Eventually, Gloria founded the Smith College Flying Club, and by the time she graduated in 1943, she had obtained her pilot's license.

Dedication of the Smith Flying Club airplane "Bird of Paradise"
Dec. 1941.  Center, wife of Smith College President.
to her right, Gloria Heath, with a sash.

When America entered World War II, Gloria was able to combine her love for flying and her love for her country.  Upon graduating from Smith College, she applied for and was accepted into the Army Air Force Flight Training program for women pilots (WASP).  She arrived at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas along with 132 other hopeful young women pilots.   Only 72 young women, including Gloria, completed the seven months of training, graduated, and earned their silver WASP wings.  


Gloria's army orders sent her to Freeman Army Air Field in Seymour, Indiana to fly AT-10's as an engineering test pilot.  Soon, she was transferred to Pocatello Army Air Base in Pocatello, Idaho, where she flew B-26 tow target missions.  She was the only WASP on the base.  Her last assignment was Dalhart Army Airfield, Dalhart, Texas, where she flew with the 2nd Air Force from the 12 December 1944 to 20 December 1944 when the WASP were disbanded.

Richard R. Hatton, supervisor, Bell Helicopter Training
and Gloria Heath, April 11, 1947

At the end of WWII, Gloria began working in the field of Aviation safety, becoming a founding member of the Flight Safety Foundation, a nonprofit organization which encourages aviation safety around the world. She wrote a manual for pilots instructing them on how to ditch a plane in the water with the least damage to the plane. Her devotion to flight safety spanned more than two decades. In 1965, she became the assistant director of the Cornell-Guggenheim Safety Center, and in 1968, she founded her own search and rescue consulting company, SAR-ASSIST. She was an innovator, and she became a major contributor to the development of the satellite-based search and rescue system. 

Gloria Heath and her Congressional Gold Medal

In recognition of her significant contributions to flight safety, she received the Amelia Earhart Award in 1957 and was awarded the Laura Tabor Barbour International Air Safety Award in 1965. She was inducted into the Women In Aviation International Pioneering Hall of Fame in 1999, and in 2001, was listed as one of the 100 most influential women in aviation by Women in Aviation International.  

In 2010 Gloria, along with all the Women Airforce Service Pilots, was awarded The Congressional Gold Medal, highest civilian honor that Congress can bestow,  for her wartime service. 

In 2010, Greenwich, Connecticut's First Selectman, Peter Tesei, issued a proclamation making May 11 Gloria W. Heath Day in Greenwich.  In 2012, Gloria was chosen as an Eagle by the USAF Gathering of Eagles Foundation.

Gloria Heath with Col Leo Thorsness, Medal of Honor
and fellow Eagle, class of 2012.

Although Gloria's life had been filled with outstanding accomplishments, she remained a humble, and deeply caring and giving individual, who sought only to help others. She was predeceased by her brother, Royal Vale Heath, Jr., and is survived and will be greatly missed by all her beloved friends who feel very blessed to have known her and to have shared in different parts of her life journey. She will remain an inspiration to young women as a pioneer for women in aviation.

Funeral arrangements were conducted privately by Coxe & Graziano Funeral Home, 134 Hamilton Avenue, Greenwich. Memorial donations in her name may be directed to First Church of Christ Scientist Greenwich, 11 Park Place, Greenwich, CT 06830.

Respectfully reposted from the Greenwich Time, with additional WASP information and photos by Wings Across America

Personal Note:  Gloria Heath was one of the most softspoken, humble, kind WASP I've ever met.  What an honor to have known her and traveled with her.  She was always surprised by anyone wanting her autograph but was always willing to spend the time to lean in, smile, and make new friends.  What a joy she was.

God bless all of those who knew and loved Gloria and to those who will long be inspired by her passion for aviation safety.


More on Gloria:

Higher Purpose

Women's Aviation Pioneer - Gloria Whitton Heath

A WASP and So Much More

Elizabeth Maxine Chambers Cramsey, 44-W-3 May 11, 1961

Reposted from the National Archives

A WASP’s Story

Posted on December 20, 2014 by hilaryparkinsonToday’s post comes from Ashley Mattingly, an archivist at the National Archives in St. Louis.

The year was 1943, and Elizabeth “Betty” Maxine Chambers was a young mother and a widow. Betty’s husband, Army pilot Lt. Robert William Chambers, had died in 1942 when his P-38F Lightening aircraft crashed at Mills Field in San Mateo, California. Undaunted, Betty applied to be among the first female pilots in the newly formed Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program.

A native of Hollywood, California, Betty worked for the Walt Disney Company inking cartoon celluloid cells and for Universal Studios inking cells for “picture process work.” After the death of her husband, Betty and her baby moved in with her parents; she also acquired a more stable job as a telephone operator at Southern California Telephone Company.

Betty wanted more. Like more than 1,000 other women, she took to the skies to find it.

Betty and her comrades applied to an innovative civilian program designed to employ women to ferry wartime aircraft, serve as flight instructors, tow targets for live anti-aircraft practice, transport cargo, and fly experimental aircraft. These female pilots relieved men from domestic duties so they could fight overseas in the war.

The WASP program was created in August 1943 when two other formerly established programs were merged: Jacqueline Cochran’s Women’s Flying Training Detachment (WFTD) and Nancy Harkness Love’s Women’s Auxiliary Ferry Squadron (WAFS). The WASP program was directed by Jacqueline Cochran while Nancy Love became the Executive of the Ferry Division of the Air Transport Command.

Women who possessed a pilot’s license and were between the ages of 21 and 35 were welcome to apply. Aviatrixes across the United States fled from their desks and kitchens to climb into cockpits to serve their country.

After an interview process, the women were trained as rigorously as military pilots and were paid at a rate of $1,800 per year. Successful trainees were stationed at one of 120 air bases, paid $3,000 per year, and reclassified as civilian pilots.

Like the majority of her fellow pilots, Betty Chambers received her training at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas. After training, Betty was sent to Turner Field in Albany, Georgia then attended the Army Air Force Tactical School in Orlando, Florida. She was later stationed at Greenwood Army Air Field in Greenwood, Mississippi.

As male pilots returned from wartime service, WASP members in service at the end of 1944 were forced to resign. Men wanted to fly domestically, and the country wanted women back at home to take care of their families. Betty Chambers was among the group of women whose service ended when the WASP program was disbanded.

This December 20 marks the 70th anniversary of the deactivation of the WASP program, a program so beloved by the women who served under it that many alumnae continued to fly and attend reunions.

On November 2, 1977, President Jimmy Carter signed Public Law 95-202, which granted military veteran status to all who served under the WASP program. In 2009, the highest medal awarded to civilians—the Congressional Gold Medal—was bestowed upon the Women Airforce Service Pilots.

The National Archives at St. Louis maintains the civilian WASP official personnel folders (OPFs). The administrative paperwork in these files reveals story after story of WASP adventures and history. OPFs are open to the public and photocopies of OPFs can be obtained for a fee. Please visit http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/archival-programs/civilian-personnel-archival/ for more information.

Respectfully reposted from THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

Lois Kay Gott Chaffey, 43-W-2 | August 21, 2017

Lois Kay Gott Chaffey ~ July 18, 1920 – August 21, 2017

The timing of Kay Chaffey’s goodbye was fitting. It was dark for a moment that Monday morning, August 21, as the sun was disappearing behind the moon for a total eclipse. Kay passed away in Oregon where she spent the final years of her life. The sun didn’t come back to shine on her that day. She’s gone, and will be greatly missed by so many in so many ways.

Born Lois Kay Gott in Nampa, Idaho, Kay lived her whole life in the Northwest. As a girl, she joined the Girl Scouts and excelled in sports, especially tennis. She also learned to fly airplanes in nearby Caldwell, long before she ever drove a car.

At age 18, Kay convinced her aunt to loan her $50 so she could pay her tuition at the College of Idaho. But sensing a war was coming she dropped out and entered the Civilian Pilot Training Program and got a flying license.

In 1942, when WWII came, Kay was selected as part of the second wave of a volunteer paramilitary organization known as Women’s Airforce Service Pilots or WASPs. She flew 17 different types of fighter planes from the P-51 Mustang (her favorite) to B-25 Mitchells, ferrying the planes throughout the United States until the fighting was done.

With the war over, she returned to the College of Idaho to complete her B. A., then received an M.A. from Univ. of Oregon in Eugene. In 1950, she became a physical education assistant professor at what was then Humboldt State College. She taught archery, tennis and badminton and her favorite, dance: modern dance, social dance and her extra favorite, international folk dance.

Somewhere along the way she met a local boy, the love of her life, Keith Chaffey. They married in 1963. He served as her dance partner when he wasn’t teaching local children, with a focus on Humboldt Country’s deaf community.

Keith and Kay loved traveling the world together, from climbing up to Machu Picchu, to seeing the bronze horses high in Venice’s St. Mark’s square, to watching moose graze near Mt. Denali in Alaska, along the way learning new dances or just exploring the wonders of nature.

In 1982, after 32 fulfilling years teaching, Kay retired. She then moved on to the next phase of her life, writing books. Her work there reflected her strong sense of history and her passionate drive to record the experiences of individuals and groups.

Her first book was Women in Pursuit: Flying Fighters for the Air Transport Command, published in 1993. Next came Hazel Ah Ying Lee, Women Airforce Service Pilot, World War II: A Portrait, published in 1996, telling the story of a Chinese-American WASP pilot, who died in a fiery plane crash.

Next she turned her collection of photos and scrapbooks detailing her teaching career into Celebrating Dance: Three Decades at Humboldt State, 1950-1982. When Kay was hired in 1950 to teach p.e., the department was small — just the dep. head, a coach, and Kay. It was a time when programs were being built and people had opportunities to be creative. In addition women’s sports, Kay was assigned to teach folk dance. Having no background in dance, she spent her Christmas vacation at a workshop at Mills College, wearing out five pairs of shoes. That was the first of many trips, here and abroad, to study dance and folk dance under master teachers.

Deeply aware of Humboldt’s isolation, she brought nationally recognized performers and teachers of modern and folk dance to give performances and workshops. She attended dance camps and brought back music and dances to teach and encouraged students to attend dance camps.

Kay believed that customs, costumes and cultures were intrinsic to the dances and included them in her teaching. Class parties had themes with appropriate costumes and food. Exhibition groups frequently made their own costumes. Kay collected textiles and pieces from folk costumes during her travels to assist them. They danced at schools, churches, the Swiss Club, the Runeberg Lodge, community events, etc. They made lasting relationships with the local ethnic groups whose dances they performed.

It should be noted, that for Kay, “international” was just that, no real borders, everything from African and South Seas Islands to Latin American and Native American dance in addition to Jewish and European dances.

Basically, Kay was an exuberant and energetic person who delighted in delving into new experiences, making connections with people and giving fully of her time and energy. Folk dancers did a joint performance with Bonnie Messenger’s Reader’s Theater. She took her modern dance classes to the beach where the dancers became models for Tom Knight’s photography classes.

Starting not long after she came to Humboldt, she established a May Day tradition of winding the Maypole that’s carried on ’til this day. When Keith died in 2000, she worked with friends to create Maypole kits for seven schools where he had taught, so the children could celebrate dance in remembrance of Keith. (At the time of her death, Kay had almost finished a book on the Maypole Dance, as well as an autobiography.)

Another chapter in her life became another book, Flying the ’64 Flood, published in 2009. For as long as she could, Kay kept up with her piloting skills. She maintained a commercial pilot’s license for years. In 1964, when Northern California was hard hit by a flood that completely cut off the Northcoast from the rest of the world, she was one of those who risked their lives flying relief missions.

After a long campaign, in 1979, the U.S. Air Force finally took the retroactive step of including all WASP pilots as official members of the U.S. Air Force, with veterans benefits. In 2010, she joined many of the surviving WASPs at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. where the U.S. Congress honored the women with the Congressional Gold Medal in tribute to their unsung heroism.

Kay was deeply involved with the North Coast Vintage Aircraft Society. Again, she had a strong sense of the importance of recording life experiences. Aware that many pilots in the aircraft society were aging and concerned that their experiences would be lost, she helped gather their oral histories on tape. In turn, Kay was interviewed in 1999 for the KEET-TV series, Living Biographies. In 2008, Kay was named to the North Coast Aviation Society’s Hall of Fame and additionally presented with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition.

Kay was an avid bird-watcher with a long life list and served as secretary of the Redwood Region Audubon Society. She was also an environmental activist who supported the Nature Conservancy and the work of the Northcoast Environmental Center. She was active in the battle to save the standing redwood groves in Northern California when they were being logged off in the early ‘60s. Remember, this was a time when that was not a popular stance for a teacher at Humboldt State. In short, she played a pivotal role in establishing Redwood National Park.

Kay and Keith never had children of their own. Despite this, a clipping she shared in Celebrating Dance notes that she was named the 1968 “Mother of the Year” at Humboldt State. Kay was like everyone’s mom, someone to lean on when a friend was needed.

Despite the fact that Humboldt was much of her life for more than a half century, in June of 2004 she left her home here to spend her waning days in Rogue Valley Manor, a retirement home in Medford. She didn’t ever want to be a burden to others and felt that the manor would take care of all her needs.

She is survived by nephews, Daniel and Brian Gott, a niece, P.K. Gott, and their spouses and family who tell us, “Kay was one-of-a-kind, and her rich laughter will be greatly missed by all who knew her.” Join them in honoring her memory on Saturday, Sept. 30, at 2 p.m. in the Sunrise Room at Rogue Valley Manor.

Kay Chaffey’s legacy in folk dance will be celebrated Friday, Oct. 6, at 8 p.m. at the Humboldt Folk Dancers’ monthly party at Redwood Raks, in the Arcata Creamery, 8th and L sts. Some favorite dances Kay taught will be featured with Chubritza playing along with a winding of Kay’s beloved Maypole with the Maypole Band and Oktoberfest dances by Hansel Und Gretel’s Pumpernickel Band. All are welcome.

A grand celebration for Kay Chaffey’s life is planned for Sunday, Nov. 5, from 2-5 p.m. at the Arcata Veterans Memorial Hall, 1425 J St. at the corner of 14th and J sts. All are invited to gather and share light potluck snacks and fond memories of Kay and her bright shining light.

Respectfully reposted-- Written by Kym Kemp  September 25, 2017

Mary Jean Barnes Sturdevant, 44-7 | June 24, 2017

Mary Jean (Barnes) Sturdevant passed away at the age of 95, on June 24, 2017 in Graham, WA. She was a 46 year resident of Spanaway, WA.  

Mary was born September 28, 1921 in Bend, Oregon. She lived quite an interesting and exciting life she was active in her community, serving her country, and devoted to her family.  

Mary was a Tacoma Lariette Drill Team and riding club member from 1968 until she could no longer ride, some 40 years total. She maintained an interest in the group, and the Tacoma Unit community arena until she passed. She also belonged to the Back Country Horsemen organization. Mary faithfully attended St. Mary's Episcopal Church of Lakewood for 40 years, until she could no longer drive. Church volunteers maintained contact with her, visiting her monthly.

Mary enjoyed acquiring her education and graduated as Valedictorian at Phoenix High school in 1939. While in school she earned the Golden Eaglet award through the Girl Scouts of America, their highest award and equivalent to that of Eagle Scout.

Mary discovered a love of flying as a young adult. In 1939, she was 1 of 3 women able to enter a civilian pilot program at Southern Oregon University. She earned her ground school certification and pilot's license there. One she graduated, she set up a ground-school program at Medford (Oregon) High School, instructing interested students there, with the Medford Flying Service furnishing the airplanes. Later, she did the same at Eastern Oregon College, La Grand for the War Training Service Program, under the auspices of the Army Air Corps. She then went to Washington State University (Pullman, WA) and was the chief instructor to cadets sent there preparing to be pilots, navigators and bombardiers. She applied to the WASP (Women Air Force Service Pilots) program (along with 25, 000 other women) and was eventually one of 1820 who were accepted into training. She could not leave WSU until they found an instructor to replace her, so her entry into the WASP program was delayed until February 1944.

Entering class 44-W-7, she trained at Sweetwater, Texas. Her class initially consisted of 90 women, all of whom had to have their pilot's licenses already and a base amount of flying experience. Still, only 45 of the 90 were ultimately able to graduate from the rigorous training regimen. She was then stationed at Merced (CA) Army Air Base, Base Operations, flying AT-6s and BT-13s and instructing male pilots who would be sent overseas to fight in WWII. While at Merced, she met Philip A. Sturdevant, where he was also a pilot and instructor. They eventually married, after the War. The WASP program was disbanded in December, 1944, at the end of the War.  The women, including Mary, were left to get home on their own after abrupt termination of the program.

Mary lived the life of an Air Force wife thereafter, moving as her husband's duty assignments required, raising 3 children and moving every few years. At each base she found ways to contribute. She was always active in the local Episcopal Church. She was a military hospital volunteer (known then as Gray Ladies). She was a PTA member, serving as President in several elementary schools her children attended. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader. 

In 1971, she enrolled in Clover Park Vocational Technical School and graduated as Legal Secretary. After a short stint working with an attorney in private practice, she was employed by Pierce County Court, from which she retired. Her interest in photography was piqued while at Clover Park, and she took up the hobby in her retirement. 

Mary traveled extensively and was most proud of her visit to Russia, where she met the "Night Witches," Russia's version of the WASP. She used her photography skills to document her may travels, and the friends she shared her trips with.  

Mary maintained life-long interests in horses and dogs. She bred, raised, trained and showed AKC registered german shepherds. She trained other people's dogs, bringing them to show level ratings. Over time she also had a collie, a poodle, a cocker spaniel, and several Border Collie mix dogs, whom she referred to as the Cannardly breed – you "Can Hardly" tell what they were! She was an indefatigable horsewoman who confidently rode Western style, and occasionally English , and was an active precision equestrian drill team member for 40 years, riding for at least 25 of those years. She belonged to the Back Country Horsemen riding group and rode on trail- rides well into her 70s, trailering and tacking her own horses plus hauling her own camping equipment. 

In March 2010, Mary was the honored recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award given to civilians. In February of 2017, she was interviewed by a film crew working on the documentary "Fly Girls." Her daughter and granddaughter (both pilots) were interviewed at the same time, in order to include a perspective of women in aviation across several decades. A trailer for the film can be viewed at www.youtube.com/flygirlsseries 


Mary is survived by son Jack B. Sturdevant of Glouster, VA and daughters Jean E. Best of Renton, WA and Faith C. (Steve) Jeffrey of Lacey, WA, as well as 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.  

She was preceded in death by her father William D. Barnes, her mother Cornelia Drake (Wilson) Barnes, and her brother W. Donald Barnes.  

Donations may be made to the National WASP-WWII Museum 

National WASP WWII Museum
P. O. Box 456
Sweetwater, TX 79556

_________

respectfully reposted with minor edits for accuracy  from Weeks Funeral Home page
photo - Wings Across America

Adeline Wolak Ellison, 43-W-6 | June 10, 2017

“I got checked out as pilot in the C-47 and co-piloted in the B-17, B-25 and got my instrument rating flying a B-24 from California to Florida.  My instructor told me that I flew better than 95 percent of the male pilots he checked out.”   Adeline Ellison, WASP1

WASP Adeline Wolak Ellison took her final flight on June 10, 2017. 

She was born September 26, 1919 in Chicago, Illinois to Polish parents Walter and Anna Wolak.  Addie's father was a civilian pilot and urged his young daughter to take flying lessons.  After only one lesson, she was hooked.  Shortly after earning her license, she and her father joined the Civil Air Patrol and Addie began cross country flying. 

When America joined the Allies in World War II,  Addie saw an ad in the paper seeking women pilots for a  experimental flying program. She applied, passed the tests, an army physical and a personal interview,  and was accepted into the Women Airforce Service Pilots training program.  

In the spring of 1943, Addie, along with 123 other young women pilots from across the country, paid her way to Sweetwater, Texas and arrived at Avenger Field as a member of training class 43-W-6.  Almost seven months later, on October 4, 1943,  Addie and 83 of her classmates graduated from the Army Air Forces flight training program and earned their silver WASP wings.   She later wrote that her mom and dad borrowed on their insurance to make the long train trip to Sweetwater, Texas for the ceremony.  

Following graduation, Addie’s Army orders sent her to Long Beach, California, to fly with the 6th Ferrying Group.  From Long Beach, she delivered aircraft such as the B-17, B-25, B24, and C-47 from factories to bases in the U.S.A.   

While at Long Beach, Addie met her future husband, Robert Ellison who was an Army Air Force pilot. They were married June 24th 1944 and since the WASP were being deactivated, she resigned to go with Robert to Colorado to begin their new life.

Congressional Gold Medal ceremony, 2010

After the war the young couple traveled around the country as their Air Force family grew to include daughter, Andrea and son, Bobby.   Eventually, they settled in San Carlos, Ca.

She joined the Air Force Reserves but was discharged when they found out she had children. In the 1970's the WASP were given Veteran status and in 2010 they were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, highest civilian honor that Congress can bestow. Addie attended the ceremony in D.C. with her family. It was one of the highlights of her life.

In 2012, a Cessna 172 named "ADELINE," was unveiled by owner Ralph Sauceda. It was a special honor given to Addie at the Commemorative Air Force, Modesto, California Airport.  

Addie loved life, family and friends. She was a homemaker, a secretary, opened a Latin Dance Studio and ran for City Clerk of San Carlos, Ca. But most of all she was a great wife, mother and grandmother. In 1983, Addie and Bob moved to Modesto to be close to their grandchildren.

For the next few years, the couple continued their love of adventure by traveling all over the world.  Robert passed away after their 57th year of marriage.  Addie is survived by her daughter Andrea Holmquist (Thom), granddaughters Alyssa Bienvenu (Rich) and Amanda Holmquist and great grandson Lucien Bienvenu. She was preceded in death by her son Bobby, and brother Ed Wolak.

Adeline Wolak Ellison will be interred at San Joaquin National Cemetery next to her husband. She requested this for their grave stone:"Two Hot Pilots Together at Last.”

Franklin & Downs Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Ellison Family. A Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 from 12:00 – 3:00pm at Franklin & Downs Funeral Home, 1050 McHenry Ave. in Modesto. Burial will follow on June 28, 2017 at 2:00pm at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella, CA. A Celebration of Adeline's Life will be held on Thursday, June 29, 2017 at 11:30am at Franklin & Downs Funeral Home.

__________________

Respectfully posted by Wings Across America from the official obituary, with additional WASP information and  photo included.

Our prayers for Addie's family, her friends, and everyone who was touched by this gentle lady pilot.  

1. Quote from WASP Betty Turner's "Out of the Blue and Into History," p. 209.

Margaret E. 'Marge' Neyman Martin, 44-7 | January 29, 2017

"When I heard about the WASP program, I decided I wanted to learn to fly, which meant cashing in my bonds and taking leave from work." 

                          Marge Neyman Martin, 44-7 

Margaret E. “Marge” Martin, long-time resident of Oak Harbor, passed away January 29, 2017.  She was 95. 

Marge was born September 21, 1921, in Saratoga, WA. to George and Elva Neyman.   She graduated from Sequim High School at age 16 in 1938.  After graduating business college in Tacoma, Washington, she began working as a secretary for Standard Oil Company.  

Learning of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) training program, she earned her private  pilot license in Spokane and applied to the program.  After passing the required tests and personal interview, Marge was accepted as a member of class 44-7, paying her way to Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas.  Of the 98 women who entered training with Marge, she was one of only 59 who graduated, September 8, 1944. 

She earned her silver WASP wings and received her Army orders, sending her to Douglas Army Air Field, Douglas, Arizona.  While at Douglas, WASP flew the BT-14, AT-8, UC-78, AT-9, AT-17 and B-25.  Marge's flying assignments included administrative, engineering and utility flights.

Following the deactivation of the WASP on December 20, 1944, Marge took a job in San Francisco where she met and married Paull Smyth.  They moved to Whidbey Island in 1951 where she later began her career at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.   The young couple started a family, making their home in Oak Harbor and filling it with four children and beautiful memories.  Marge later wrote:   "Our home on the water has nine acres with geese, chickens, and peacocks.  The Cascade Range fills our window with views of Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker, which are pure white in winter."

She worked at the Naval Air Station for 22 years, becoming secretary to the Commanding Officer before retiring.  

After Paull’s passing, Marge married C.J. “Tiny” Martin who predeceased her.  She is survived by her four children, Fred (Anita) Smyth, Oak Harbor; Gretchen Smyth, Seattle; Mitsi Vondrachek, Newberg, OR; and Paula (Dave) Bondo, Mill Creek, WA; as well as four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.  

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Nature Conservancy or the Sierra Club.

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Respectfully posted with permission from her family.  Additional information included from Marge's entry p. 458, "Out of the Blue and Into History" by WASP Betty Turner.