Elizabeth Whelan Kelly

Elizabeth Whelan Kelly March 5, 1939 – March 3, 2026 Elizabeth Kelly (nee Whelan) passed away peacefully on March 3, 2026 at the home of her eldest daughter, in a house filled with love, kindness and prayer, at the age of 86 after a prolonged illness. Born and raised in the Bronx, NY, she was the beloved and only child of the late James and Elizabeth (nee Hannigan) Whelan. Elizabeth was predeceased by her “Prince”, as she called him, John Barry Kelly after 36 years of marriage. She is loved and survived by her daughter Elizabeth (Kelly) Moran and her husband Scott, of Morganville, NJ, and Erin (Kelly) Webber and her husband Dean of Madison, NJ and her son Kieran F.X. Kelly and his wife Kara of Morristown, NJ. She was devoted to and cherished by her eight grandchildren Scott Jr., Brendan, Veronica, Catherine, Hannah, Courtney, Meghan and Dean Jr., each of whom brought immeasurable joy to her life. Family tradition was deeply important to Elizabeth. For generations, the first daughter in the family was named Elizabeth, and she proudly carried that tradition forward by naming her eldest daughter Elizabeth. She delighted in seeing the legacy continue through her granddaughters Catherine and Courtney who carry Elizabeth as their middle name, a living tribute to generations of strong women before them. Elizabeth was a graduate of Sacred Heart of Mary Academy (Marmion) in the Bronx, NY in 1956. She attended Marymount College, Tarrytown-on-Hudson, NY on a full scholarship. Upon graduating in 1960, she began her lifelong career as a New York City public school teacher in Spanish Harlem where she taught for three years before marrying her Prince in 1963 and making her home on Staten Island where she continued to teach at P.S. 23 and P.S. 69, primarily kindergarten and first grade. She later earned her master's degree in early childhood education from CUNY. Teaching was not just her profession, it was her calling. She volunteered to organize and direct the annual school Christmas play, drawing on her acting skills from her college years, which brought her immense joy. She was unable to go grocery shopping on Staten Island without being stopped at least once or twice by a parent or former student, and she was always more than happy to stop, chat and give advice. Growing up, we saw her as someone who knew everyone and could do anything. In addition to her teaching career, her faith was the foundation of her life. She possessed a deep and steady devotion to God and was extraordinarily active in her Church. She volunteered numerous times at Church of the Holy Child on Staten Island where she founded and ran the pre-school program and served as volunteer administrator for three years. She also organized and ran various parish dances and events. When her children attended St. Charles School, she continued to volunteer, most memorably at the annual Christmas fair where she worked tirelessly to create handmade wreaths to be sold at the fair. For a whole month prior, there were pinecones, glue guns, and plaid bows covering the dining room table. She was forever creating and forging ahead saying things like “It’s a great life if you don’t weaken”, “Bloom where you are planted”, “There but for the Grace of God go I” , “From your mouth to God’s ears” and “It is what it is”. As much as she adored teaching, what truly made her happy was bringing people together. As an only child, she grew up craving the lively atmosphere of a full house, and she made sure she created that in her home. She loved planning parties, organizing holiday gatherings, hosting Christmas celebrations and Epiphany parties every year, and finding any excuse to set the table, decorate the house and fill the room with conversation and laughter. She took pride in making every event feel special and memorable. As a mother and grandmother, she stayed closely involved in the day-to-day moments such as picking up grandchildren from school, stepping in at the last minute, and showing up for all her loved ones at various Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, sports events, luncheons and hosting sleepovers for her grandchildren. In addition to her family and faith, her other great passion was Irish culture and history which stemmed from her parents who were both born in Ireland. She became active in Irish organizations, serving as President of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians (A.O.H.) and later as Historian. She supported the Irish National Caucus and Mothers to End the War. She founded and ran St. Joseph by the Sea’s “Christmas in Killarney” dance which somehow managed to be a huge success in a not predominantly Irish school. Our house was filled with people cutting green shamrocks out of construction paper and being assigned various other chores in preparation for the dance, all this while balancing busy family schedules. Life was rolling along until a boating accident caused a serious spinal injury at the age of 50 that led to two operations and years of physical therapy. She faced this challenge with grit and faith, ultimately recovering and after a few years as an empty nester, she and Barry retired to Doylestown, PA. In her own words, here is an excerpt from a piece she wrote for her 35th year college reunion: “Too soon the nest was empty. All three, independent! Now it’s our time, my Prince and I! We sold our dream house and bought another....”Go West old Lady”! We chose Bucks County and if the house is ready, we’ll be moving in after Kieran’s wedding this summer. Did I say old? Nay! Dear friends, old is an attitude we do not possess. The years gone by have been our practice time and now we know the value of what we have. Let us proceed to wear purple and treasure our time together...as a class, as friends, as the women we have become...” They remained in Doylestown until Barry’s passing in 1999. Her devotion to family continued in the year 2000 when she opened her home to her mother, Elizabeth Whelan, and became her primary caregiver, ensuring she was surrounded by love and family and remained by her side until her passing as the remarkable age of 103. She then moved to Mountainside, NJ and fully enjoyed the chaos of grandchildren in and out of her home for years. Upon moving to Mountainside, Elizabeth continued to devote her life to her faith serving on the Parish Council at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Mountainside, NJ. During her final year, as an illness progressed, Elizabeth moved in with her eldest daughter and her family and spent her final days surrounded by loving family and prayers. Elizabeth wore her years with grace, humor, and unwavering faith. She leaves behind a legacy of tradition, celebration, devotion, and love. It was a life filled with blue skies (she refused to see grey), busy tables, organized events and open arms. Visitation will be held at John Vincent Scalia Funeral Home, 28 Eltingville Blvd., Staten Island, NY on Friday, March 6 from 3-7. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Church of the Holy Child, 4747 Amboy Road, Staten Island, NY. Burial will follow at Moravian Cemetery at 12:00 PM.

Elizabeth Whelan Kelly

March 5, 1939 - March 3, 2026