Obituary

Mary W. Kelly Gifted Artist, Beloved Wife & Mother

Mary W. Kelly, 87, a resident of the Mennonite Home Community of Lancaster, PA, died on Saturday, February 7, 2009, at Lancaster General Hospital following a heart attack. Family members surrounded her as she entered into Heaven, home of her Lord and Savior.

Mary Kelly was the widow of John B. Kelly, to whom she was married for 65 years. She was born on June 30, 1921 in Palmerton, PA, to the late Signe E. (Svensson, of the Kingdom of Sweden) and Harold S. Woods. One of the couple's daughters, Karin Byrne Kelly; a granddaughter, Karin Louise Kelly; and Mary Kelly's elder sister, Barbara W. Moose, also predeceased her.

Mary Louise Woods graduated from the Girls' Latin School and The Von Ladau School of Fashion in Boston, MA, where she studied fashion design on a scholarship. While attending design school, she met her future husband, John B. (Jack) Kelly, who was studying engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). They were married on January 18, 1941 and moved to rural Glenmore, PA, to raise their family of seven children: Karin, Elizabeth (married to Floyd Hertzfeld), Christine, John B. Kelly III (married to the former Mary J. Frizzell), Karolyn Kelly-O'Keefe, Michael B. (Janet Snell-Kelly), and Peter B. Kelly, Sr. The Kelly's also had 12 grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and one great great granddaughter.

While raising their family, Mrs. Kelly taught children's Sunday School and Vacation Bible School at Fairview Presbyterian Church in Glenmore for several decades. She was also a Boy Scout den mother, taught art classes at the Veterans' Hospital in Coatesville and an area nursing home, and volunteered at Chester County Hospital.

When Jack Kelly retired, he and Mary moved to Chestnut Street in Lancaster and then to Woodcrest Villa Apartments. They joined First United Methodist Church. For the past year, Mrs. Kelly has resided at the Mennonite Home Community. She enjoyed making new friends of all ages, painting in oil and watercolors, listening to classical music, and reading about art, history, politics, and religion. She closely followed world events, the daily news, and programs about nature, science, and history. She was fond of animals and entrusted her 18-year-old tiger cat, Folly, to the loving care of her youngest daughter.

A private graveside service will be held at Fairview Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Glenmore, PA, at the family's convenience. Fred F. Groff Inc. Funeral Home, 234 W. Orange Street, Lancaster, is in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to your area animal shelter, public library, church, or The Salvation Army.