Catherine Lahey Kelley

12/09/2005

Catherine Lahey Kelley, 88, daughter of Linda Baxter of Great Barrington, died Friday, Dec. 9, 2005 at Kimball Farms Nursing Care Center, where she had been a resident for the last 18 months. Prior to that, she had resided at Kimball Farms on Walker Street in Lenox since May 1999. Born in Pelham, N.Y., on Sept. 7, 1917, daughter of Daniel J. and Mary Roche Lahey, she graduated from Pelham High School and attended Columbia Teachers College, majoring in early childhood education. Mrs. Kelley taught kindergarten in Highland Falls, N.Y., for several years until her marriage in 1945. She and her husband, the late Brig. Gen. Roy S. Kelley, loved the traveling associated with Army life. The Kelleys were longtime residents of New Orleans after his retirement, and were regular participants in Mardi Gras activities, as well as supporters of the New Orleans Opera. Mrs. Kelley was an active member of PEO and Toastmasters, as well as many other service organizations. Mrs. Kelley is survived by her daughters, Linda Baxter of Great Barrington and Khenmo Drolma of Lincoln, Vt.; her son R. Skiles Kelley of Houston, Texas; two sisters, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. FUNERAL NOTICE -- A family memorial service will be held for Catherine Lahey Kelley, who died Dec. 9, 2005, on Dec. 23 in Great Barrington. She will later be interred together with her beloved husband in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. Information regarding this service may be obtained by contacting Skiles Kelley at 128 Payne Street, Houston, TX 77009. Donations in her memory may be made to Habitat for Humanity or the Salvation Army in care of Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230. She was predeceased by her youngest child, Frederick Kelley, as well as eight siblings. Mrs. Kelley enjoyed traveling and explored many countries and cultures while with her husband during his Army postings in Germany and Japan.

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