Sr. Mary (Sr. Marie John) Kelly
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WEST HARTFORD- Sister Mary Kelly (Sister Marie John), a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph, West Hartford, CT died at St. Francis Hospital on August 6, 2022 after a short illness. Born in Hartford, CT on August 2, 1933 of the late William Joseph Kelly and Agnes Marie O'Brien Kelly, Sister Mary entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 1, 1951 and celebrated her Profession of Vows on August 24, 1958. At the time of her death, Sister Mary was 89 years of age and in her 71st year of Religious Life.
Sister Mary earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from the Diocesan Sisters College, West Hartford, CT, a Masters Degree in Education and Reading from Boston College and Intermediate Administration Certification from the University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. After teaching at St. Lawrence School, West Haven, CT and St. John School, Deep River, CT, Sister Mary assumed the position of Principal at Our Lady of Sorrows School, Hartford, CT. Following this ministry, she became the Reading Supervisor for the Archdiocese of Hartford Schools, traveling from school to school encouraging and assisting teachers to develop their skills in teaching reading to all students. Adept in leadership and always gracious and gentle in interpersonal exchange, Sister Mary then assumed the position of principal at Sacred Heart Academy, Stamford, CT where, for fourteen years, she guided the teachers in providing the best education for the girls who, upon graduation, would become the future leaders of communities, states and the nation.
Sister Mary, upon being elected to the Leadership Team of the Province of the Sisters of St. Joseph, served as Provincial Councilor and then as Provincial. After completion of the ministry of leadership, Sister Mary was asked by the then Archbishop of Hartford, Daniel A. Cronin, to assume the ministries of Director of the Office for Religious. She also served as the Director of the Archdiocesan Safe Environment Program and Coordinator for Victim Assistance. During the years she served in these capacities, Sister Mary's deep faith and respectful listening, and her discerning and positive approach, allowed her to be both compassionate and strong.
In her professional career, Sister Mary Kelly served as a Board Member on a number of institutions in Connecticut: St. Mary's Hospital, Waterbury, CT; St. Francis Hospital, Hartford, CT; Sacred Heart Academy, Stamford, CT; St. Agnes Home, West Hartford, CT; and House of Bread, Hartford, CT.
Due to the diminishment of her health, Sister Mary graciously accepted retirement from her many ministries. In her gentle manner, Sister continued to exude a loving presence towards all whom she met. This welcoming spirit of Sister Mary sincerely reflected the charism of hospitality so imbued in the heart of a Sister of St. Joseph. Sister Mary's quiet demeanor, her loving and kind heart and beautiful smile will be remembered and missed by all her Sisters, family and friends.
In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sister Mary is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, William Kelly, Jr and Mary Lew, and many nephews and nieces. Sister Mary treasured her family and loved being an active part of their lives. Her family, in turn, were very attentive to Sister Mary in visiting her and including her in their celebrations and family gatherings. Sister is predeceased by her brother, John, and her sister, Cornelia (Connie) Toohey.
Sister Mary Kelly's Funeral Mass and Wake will be held on Friday, August 12th at St. Mark the Evangelist Church, 467 South Quaker Lane, West Hartford. The wake will begin at 9:30 a.m., the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., followed by the burial at the Sisters of St. Joseph Cemetery on Ringgold Street in West Hartford. If unvaccinated, please wear a mask. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider a memorial donation to the Sisters of St. Joseph, c/o Office of Mission Advancement, 650 Willard Avenue, Newington, CT 06111. Fisette-Batzner Funeral Home, 20 Bonair Avenue, Newington, has care of the arrangements.