Ella M. Aley

Ella M. Aley, 96, of Wichita, formerly of Topeka, passed away Thursday, July 21, 2011. Ella Marie Aley was born August 24, 1914, RR 1 Topeka, the daughter of Walter Blaine and Jeanette Evelyn (Lydic) Aley. She attended Shawnee County rural schools, graduating from Seaman High School in 1932. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washburn University and a Master of Education degree from the University of Kansas, as well as attending briefly Emporia State University and the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.

Ella taught schools for 46 years – 11 in Shawnee County and 35 in Topeka.
Ella was a member of the Central Congregational Church and of Group XI of that church. She was a member of the local, state and national retired teachers associations, the AARP, and the American Association of University Women. She was a member and past president of the Topeka Business and Professional Women's Club, the Gavel Club and the AREMS.

In her retirement years, she wrote four poetry books.
She is survived by one brother, Edwin Blaine Aley, Topeka, as well as by three nephews, two nieces, seven great nephews, and two great nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Walter James Aley and Clinton Orla Aley; and nephew, Richard James Aley.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 30, 2011, at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Central Congregational Church, 1248 SW Buchanan St., Topeka, KS 66604 or Washburn University Dept. of Education, Carnegie Hall Rm. 202, 1700 SW College Avenue, Topeka, KS 66621.