Newspaper co-workers sing the praises of Ethel Bovey – Martinsburg Journal

MARTINSBURG Martinsburg lost an icon last week as 105-year-old Ethel Bovey passed away on Nov. 23. Described as a trailblazer, Bovey spent her life in Martinsburg where her career spanned several decades.

She was employed first at the Berkeley Woolen Mill from 1932 to 1941, after which she spent a short time at Fairchild Aircraft. Aetna Casualty & Surety Claims Department was her next stop from 1957 to 1963 after which she landed a job at The Journal where she remained until 1981. She continued to write columns for the paper for many years.

While at The Journal, Bovey served in several positions including womens editor, feature editor and columnist. She was also a charter member of the West Virginia Press Women.

Having lived here all her life, she had a deep connection to Martinsburg and its residents, shared Maria Lorensen, former editor for the Journal. She loved story-telling and writing and helped many young journalists find their way, Lorensen continued.

Many benefited from Boveys kind words and guidance in the newsroom.

Newsrooms are quiet places today, but they werent then and all of us young reporters were loud idiots, shared former staffer Tim Rowland.

Mrs. Bovey, as we called her, would survey us from her corner desk with the charitable dignity of a queen who was kind enough to give us the benefit of the doubt, assuming that one day there was an outside chance we would all grow up, Rowland added.

Bovey wrote verse, skits, columns and commentary and was published in Ideals Magazine and Upper Room. At the age of 80, she discovered the computer and began writing occasional historical and thought-provoking articles for the Local Lore Section of The Journal.

I worked at The Journal from 1999 to 2008, shared former Living Editor Crystal Schelle. When I first started working with Ethel, I was nervous trying to edit someone with that much experience. She was warm and giving as a writer and I learned so much from her about Martinsburg, about writing and about life.

Bob Madison, another former The Journal writer, who now writes sports for the Shepherdstown Chronicle, recalled Bovey with fondness.

She was one of the most sincerely nice persons to come into anybodys lifetime, Madison said. She had a kind word and a radiant smile for everybody she met.

Madison went on to say, Any new employee to the Journal newsroom had an instant friend and a place where knowledge of the ins and outs of a newspaper could be obtained with a generous pat on the back.

She always had time for anybody about any subject. She was an inspirational source, constant in her kind ways and a help to all, Madison concluded.

Boveys extensive involvement in many areas was of benefit to her community in a variety of ways. Her church was of significant importance. She as a member of Otterbein United Methodist Church since 1923, where she taught in the kindergarten department, was a teacher of the Fidelity Ladies Class, and, not surprisingly the editor of the church newsletter.

In addition, Bovey was active in local Parent/Teacher associations in Berkeley County. She served for over 20 years on the Board of Directors of the Eastern Panhandle Training Center and was presented Martinsburg High School Alumni Associations Outstanding Alumni Award in 2008.

She held membership and offices in several other organizations, including the soroptimist International of Martinsburg, Golden Rule Chapter No. 69, Order of the Eastern Star, Opequon Home Demonstration Club and Martinsburg Lioness Club, to name a few.

She published a collection of her writings in 2003 under the title Hometown Memories, Growing Up in Martinsburg, West Virginia, and a second volume, Hometown Reflections, Life and Times in Martinsburg, West Virginia.

She was a committed community member, who loved God and neighbor, shared Lorensen. In later years, she was recognized as a Woman of Distinction from the Girl Scouts Council Shed have all the other women awardees listening attentively as she shared stories from her early life. She was a strong, intelligent woman until the end.

What I loved about Ethel was that she loved Martinsburg, Shelle said. My favorite memories were when she invited reporter Joey DiGuglielmo and me over for lunch. Shes set a beautiful table with help from Kathy, and served us soup and sandwiches while we chatted about working at The Journal.

She had the best laugh when she recounted her days of working there, Shelle concluded.

Former staffer Lisa Clipp concurred.

When Ethel stepped through the doors into the newsroom to drop stories off and to chat, everyone always smiled and was cheered by her presence. She had a way of making people listen and lean in, and her charisma charmed even the most jaded reporters, Clipp shared.

She will be missed in the community because she was a true treasure.

Bovey leaves a daughter, Sharilyn Derlene Bovey, several cousins and many dear friends, including close friend Kathy Weaver.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Berkeley Senior Services, Hospice of the Panhandle or Panhandle Home Health.

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Newspaper co-workers sing the praises of Ethel Bovey - Martinsburg Journal