Joan Kelly was born in London, England in 1926 to George and Ada Houtheusen. She lived through the London Blitz, later rode a bicycle to deliver babies while training as a midwife in Drogheda, Ireland, and eventually settled in Syracuse after completing her nursing degree in Ontario, Canada.
Joan married Thomas Kelly in 1967 and raised her children while working as a Registered Nurse, enjoying many interests and the people she met along the way. She was an accomplished knitter and quilter, as well as a long time member of the Syracuse branches of the English Speaking Union and the Jane Austen Society of North America. She enjoyed attending the performances of her grandchildren and joining family and friends at many events, especially theater productions of all kinds. The Shaw Festival at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario was a particularly favored destination. Joan’s legacy was the example she set to be open to what the world has to offer and to pursue life with passion and perseverance.
The memories of her kindness, creativity, wit, and lovingly prepared scones are cherished by her son Sean, daughter Moira (Lance Denno) and her grandchildren Lydia, Rhys, and Ches. Private services.
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