In Memory of Nancy (Ann) Elizabeth Murnane Kelly

Obituary

Nancy (Ann) Elizabeth Murnane Kelly passed away peacefully surrounded by family in New Hartford, NY on December 28, 2018 at the age of 87.

Nancy was born to Anna Hopkins Murnane and Charles Francis Murnane on June 27, 1931 in Utica, NY. Nancy graduated as valedictorian from New Hartford High School, earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Cornell University and a master’s degree in Library Science from Syracuse University in 1954. Nancy was employed as a librarian at St. Elizabeth Hospital School of Nursing, from which she retired in 1997, after a library career spanning 43 years.

Nancy married Kevin McKernan Kelly of Jay-K Lumber on April 19, 1958. Together, they raised their family in New Hartford, where they resided throughout their 57 years of marriage. Nancy loved the Adirondack Mountains where she and Kevin frequently hiked, kayaked, and camped well into their older years. Nancy also delighted in their annual Old Forge July vacation, a tradition in which their ever-growing immediate family would gather together to participate in her favorite Adirondack activities. Nancy was a proud member of the Seed and Weed Garden Club since 1970, and maintained her stunning backyard garden until her death. Nancy developed many lifelong friendships through her association with the garden club. Nancy was a founding member and avid supporter of the New Hartford Public Library, where she also volunteered. Nancy also volunteered at the American Red Cross; was a member of the ABC (After Breast Cancer) support group; served on the board of the Mohawk Valley Institute for Learning in Retirement (MVILR); and devoted her time and support to numerous charitable organizations. Nancy was predeceased by her husband Kevin, who passed away on July 15, 2015.

She is survived by her two sons Dean Kevin Kelly and his wife Eva of New Hartford and David A. Kelly and his wife Alice of Newton, MA; her daughter Laura Elizabeth (Kelly) Suraci and her husband Christopher of Natick, MA; her grand daughter Sarah Murnane (Kelly) Jensen and her husband John of Syracuse, NY; her grandchildren Steven and Scott Kelly and Nathan, Addison, and Nolan Suraci; her three brothers-in-law and four sisters-in-law Christopher and Virginia Kelly of Utica, NY, Ross Sloan of New Hartford, Joseph and Claire Sturr of Exeter, NH, Joan Kelly of Seminole, FL, and Karen Kelly of New Hartford; and her dear lifelong friend Diana Dallal.

A visitation will be held on Friday, January 4, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Freidel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Road, New Hartford. The funeral will be held Saturday, January 5 at 10:00 am at the funeral home. Interment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Whitesboro.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the New Hartford Public Library in memory of Nancy.