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Marilyn  Ann Elizabeth
Kelley

March 28, 1936 – September 12, 2018

Marilyn  Kelley Marilyn  Kelley
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Obituary for Marilyn Ann Elizabeth Kelley

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Marilyn Ann Elizabeth Bernadette Thompson Kelley, passed peacefully from her daughters’ arms into the waiting arms of Our Lord on Wednesday, September 12, 2018. She was welcomed into heaven by her beloved parents, Anna Elizabeth (Lavery) and George Thomas Kelley, cherished brothers Michael and Baby George, mother-by-heart Mary Thompson, father of their four daughters Orrin “Tommy” Thompson, and so many dear family members and friends. We can only imagine their joy to see her come!
“Mai”, as she is lovingly called by her 9 younger siblings, was born March 28, 1936 in Springfield, MA. Though the firstborn, she was soon surrounded by an abundance of Irish family love, mischief, music and diapers. Her winters were spent ice skating and her summers spent with her family at the Connecticut shore where her love for the ocean grew to a devotion she would go on to share with her daughters and grandchildren. Mai looked after her siblings and was a great help to her mother, always watching and learning to lovingly care for others. Marilyn was a born caretaker and nurturing those around her came as naturally as breathing. Her faith in Jesus Christ and His earthly life of compassion and mercy filled her with purpose.
Following graduation from Commerce High School in Springfield, Marilyn began her work career as a dental hygienist before staying home to raise her daughters. In later years, as her daughters grew, she worked as an Administrative Assistant in Hartford and E. Windsor Public School Districts before moving to University of Hartford’s Alumni Relations and then the Math, Physics, Computer Science Department. She achieved her Associates Degree in Sociology, and completed almost all credits toward her Bachelor’s Degree from UofH, while working full time, and raising her family.
Marilyn worked tirelessly to ensure their family week at the beach each summer. There they walked at low tide collecting shells, imperfectly heart-shaped rocks, sea-smoothed stones, and beach glass to be brought home to set in sunbeams on windowsills and enjoyed through winter’s chill. She taught her girls to meditate with dripcastles, float so calmly on tide and waves, and later, as the sun lowered to rest, she pulled frozen peppermint patties from the cooler. CT winters found Marilyn skiing with her daughters and tying kitchen aprons to snowfolk adorned with apple eyes and floppy, woven sun hats.
Marilyn was a wonderful writer and found peace in journaling. Her frequent love letters to her family and friends were always precious and sincere, even the curve of her handwriting was deliberate and thoughtful. She loved to paint and draw and found crafting with her daughters a contented way to pass hours. Creative and visionary, Marilyn’s art of arranging flowers made a jelly jar of cut garden blossoms the most lovely and romantic bouquet ever to grace a supper table. She made a home for her family that was a safe place for anyone, so kind and just, she mothered all. Through the years many friends, family, and animals found themselves beneath Marilyn’s roof, sheltered by her heart, fed by her hand, and in time, made stronger with her care.
A founding parishioner of Holy Family Church of Enfield, member of the folk group, Women’s Guild and CCD teacher, she coached the CYO Cheerleaders to a New England Championship. Marilyn was most recently a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Windsor Locks and the chapel at St. Joseph’s, Little Sisters of the Poor of Enfield, where she resided at the time of her passing. An Associate of the Sisters of the Cross and Passion, Marilyn was a Eucharistic Minister and a devoted servant at Our Lady of Calvary Retreat House, Farmington, and Marie Joseph Spiritual Life Center, Biddeford Pool, ME. Through her volunteer work at The House of Bread and numerous CT food kitchens, shelters, and community outreach programs, Marilyn modeled a life of love, compassion, empathy, and service to others.
Marilyn will one day be reunited with daughter, Elizabeth Ann of Owens Cross Roads, AL, son-in-law- James Strouth, grandsons, Christopher and Nathan: daughter, Melissa Mary of Enfield, son-in-law Tom Levasseur, grandchildren Ben, Nick (Hillary), and Katie, great-grandchildren, Liam and Amelia; daughter Caroline Kelley of Woodstock, son-in-law Lee Chouinard, grandchildren Joshua (Melanie) and Grace, great-granddaughter, Ella; daughter Emily Sarah of Winsted, son-in-law Chris King, grandchildren, Anna, Sam, Naomi, and Toby; siblings, Virginia Kelley, Robert Emmett Kelley, Lawrence Kelley (Tracy), Patricia Conz, all of Springfield; Christine Kelley of South Windsor; Gary Kelley (Katie), Terry Kelley-Coffey (Rosemary) of Vero Beach FL;, and many beloved siblings-by-heart, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
We are so grateful for the gentle care, love, and friendship our mother found in the community of St. Joe’s and the Felician Sisters. Thank you for loving us.
Memorial donations may be made to Little Sisters of the Poor, 1365 Enfield Street, Enfield CT.
Marilyn’s family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, September 17, 2018 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Browne Memorial Funeral Chapels, Enfield, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mary Church, 412 Spring St. Windsor Locks, CT (Please go directly to the church). Interment will at the convenience of the family in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Springfield, MA.

Visitation

When Monday, September 17th, 2018 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Location
Browne Memorial Chapels
Address
43 Shaker Road
Enfield, CT 06082

Service Information

When
Tuesday, September 18th, 2018 10:30am
Location
St. Mary Church Windsor Locks
Address
42 Spring St.
Windsor Locks, CT 06096
Service Extra Info
PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH.

Interment Information

Location
St. Michael's Cemetery
Address
1601 State Street
Springfield, MA
Interment Extra Info
At the convenience of the family.
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