MCKETTA, HELEN ELISABETH SMITH (1920 ~ 2011). The following is an obituary for Helen McKetta, spouse of John McKetta, who was approved for burial by the Texas State Cemetery Committee. The obituary was provided by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home.

Helen Elisabeth Smith McKetta left her loving family on February 4, 2011. She was affectionately called "Pinky" ever since her first date with John J. McKetta, Jr., on May 5, 1943, at the Little Shop in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Pinky was born to Robert A. and Anne Ewing Smith on February 28, 1920. She grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, graduating from Western Michigan State Teachers College in 1941. Pinky and Johnny began their happy 67-year marriage on October 17, 1943. Austin became their home in 1946.

Pinky was lavish with her volunteer work, especially for Austin Mental Health Mental Retardation and for the Austin State School. Pinky gave 14 gallons of blood to the Central Texas Blood Bank, before a diagnosis of diabetes required that she stop. She served as an officer of the Auxiliary to the Travis Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers. Governor Clements named Pinky the outstanding volunteer for the State of Texas, and Congressman Lloyd Doggett presented the award. Pinky opened her home and her heart to family and friends all of her life. Her quiet, gentle nature was matched by a deep sense of integrity and fairness.

Pinky is survived by her Johnny and by their children Charley McKetta and Kreta Johnson of Moscow, Idaho; John J. "Mike" McKetta III and Sallie Martin Sharp of Austin; and Randy and Terry Monroe McKetta of Austin; and Mary Anne McKetta of Austin; grandchildren Isla McKetta and Clayton Cusak of Seattle, Washington; Elisabeth Sharp McKetta and James K. Stead of Boise, Idaho; Tosh McKetta of Loveland, Colorado; Mary Elliott McKetta of Austin; Robby McKetta and Lauren Kaplan McKetta of Richmond, Virginia; and Jeannie McKetta of Austin; Sarah McKetta of Cambridge, Massachusetts; John J McKetta IV of Los Angeles, California; Matt McKetta of Moscow, Idaho; and great grandchild Snowden McKetta Stead of Boise, Idaho. She is survived also by her nieces Susan Smith Olson and Nina Thomas Taylor and her nephews Sky Weatherly, Merle Thomas and Charles Thomas.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 18, 2011, at the Chapel of the Austin State School, 2203 West 35th Street, Austin, Texas. Memorial gifts may be directed to a charity of one's choice or to Pinky's favorite cause: "Friends of Austin State Supported Living Center", 2203 West 35th Street, No. 502, Austin, Texas 78703. Obituary and memorial guestbook available online at www.wcfish.com