Published: October 30, 2009 11:07 pm      

‘It’s in my blood’: Roller skating has always been Richland woman’s passion

Shirley Kelley is one hot roller skating momma.

The Richland Township woman has been roller skating since she was 2 years old, and it’s become more than a hobby or a way to stay active, it’s her life’s passion.

“Roller skating is my life. It’s in my blood,” the 79-year-old said with a laugh.

Kelley said her grandfather owned rinks in Johnstown and Bolivar, and while growing up, she spent a lot of time at the facilities honing her skills.

“I really enjoyed myself and had fun doing it,” she said.

It was through skating she met her husband, Charles Kelley. The two performed together as a team in the 1950s and 1960s in roller dance competitions. Shirley Kelley also competed in freestyle, where she had to master a variety of spins and jumps.

“I was very serious about my dancing,” she said.

Then after having three children – Cheryl, Cynthia and Charles – Kelley decided to turn pro and became a registered artistic roller skating coach through the Roller Skating Association.

“I went to coach at Star-Lite in Somerset, and we had a lot of skaters who did well,” she said.

“I also went to the Star-Lite in La Vale, Md., to teach. Pretty much I taught and my husband managed the places,” she said.

Kelley devoted 30 years to Star-Lite doing more than offering instruction; she also did dance choreography and ran the shows.

“I loved to coach and teach people. I miss those days,” she reminisced. “I would alway tell my skaters, ‘Don’t say you can’t, but say you’ll try.’ ”

She even was awarded a certificate from the Society of Roller Skating Teachers of America for her years of dedication and service.

When Kelley’s husband passed away in 1988, she moved to Altoona and took a teaching position at Sir-Skate.

It was a good decision for more reasons than one.

“Ten months after my husband died I met Ken (Powley) at the rink, and we’ve been together 20 years now,” Kelley said affectionately. “I taught him to do figures, and he has taken some medals.”

Sir-Skate closed in 2000, but that didn’t mean the fun stopped.

“We decided to get everyone together and have reunions with the skaters,” Kelley said. “This was our ninth year, and I’ll keep this up as long as I’m here.”

Kelley christened the group the Golden Senior Roller Skaters after a fellow skater had her skates bronzed. She said the sparkling golden color was the inspiration for the name.

“We try to keep in touch with each other, but we are all getting older and health problems are hitting us, but we have fun,” she said. “Those were the good old days on eight wheels.”

Unfortunately, roller skating has fallen out of fashion and there are only two rinks in the area – Moon Glo II in Bedford and Indiana Skating Center.

“Kids just aren’t interested and don’t want to learn,” Kelley said. “People don’t realize it’s the best exercise and it keeps you in shape. I don’t have any health problems and I think that’s from skating.”

As for Kelley, the last time she laced up her skates and took to the rink was in 2000. A back injury has keep her sidelined.

“Oh yes, I miss it very much, and if there was a rink here, I’d go and teach,” she said. “There are a lot of older people who would still love to skate because I know how much I loved it.”

She might not be skating anymore, but the house she shares with Powley is filled

with skating memories in the form of family pictures and knickknacks. Even a wooden plaque in the shape of a roller skate hangs by the entrance of the driveway with a sign above it that reads SK8TER AVE.

“I enjoyed the people and working with the kids, that’s what it was all about. We always had a good time,” Kelley said.