Frances Bush (Zufall) Ely |
| Posted 2016-03-02 by Sharla |
| The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona Wednesday, March 2, 2016 Frances Bush (Zufall) Ely, 96, passed away peacefully at her home on Feb. 25 in Wickenburg, where she had lived for 34 years. Frances was born Jan. 2, 1920, in Punxsutawney, Penn., one of six daughters born to David and Mae (Bush) Zufall. Her father was the county game warden, and during the years of her childhood their family annually hosted the groundhog known as “Punxsutawney Phil” who predicts whether or not winter will continue for six more weeks every year on Feb. 2. With an early love of sports of every variety, Frances spent a lot of time at the local YWCA, and by the time she was in high school she was already over-qualified for several of the sports being taught and was not allowed to play. The same situation arose when she entered college, but the expressionism of Modern Dance appealed to her and Frances took those courses instead. She graduated from Penn State University in 1947 with a degree in physical education, health and recreation. Shortly thereafter, she married Richard K. Ely who was pursuing a degree in forestry from Penn State. His career took them first to Ontario, Canada, and later to Indian reservations in Oregon, Washington state, and Arizona where Richard was a forester for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Frances found work as a substitute teacher in reservation schools, and helped establish and manage a Campfire Girls program on the White Mountain Apache Reservation in east-central Arizona. She was very creative and enjoyed making seasonal decorations for the home, acting in community Little Theatre, knitting, sewing and flower gardening. When Richard’s work saw the family transferred to the Washington, D.C., area in the early 1960s, Frances found opportunities for her skills at the National Epilepsy Foundation, Virginia State Vocational Rehabilitation, and in managing a summer camp for girls at the Prince William (VA) Forest Park. Upon retirement, the Elys settled in Wickenburg, and Frances was the Welcome Wagon Lady for a period of time. She was also active in Eastern Star. Frances is survived by her three daughters Barbara Piatt and husband Robert of Dewey; Gwenn Ziegler of Peoria; and Carol Peninger and husband Michael of Glendale; grandchildren David Early, Theresa Bates, Seth Ziegler and James and Daniel Peninger; and great-grandchildren Cinnamon and Keaton Early and Wynona and Sara Bates; one sister, Nancy Lego of Altoona, Penn.; and several nieces and nephews. Her husband Richard predeceased her in 2009 after 62 years of marriage. She will be remembered for her love and devotion to her family, strong values, wisdom and guidance for so many precious years. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 2 at David’s Desert Chapel in Wickenburg. |
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