Frances P. Kelsey

12/27/2007

SHEFFIELD - Frances Perkins Kelsey, 85, a longtime resident of Sheffield, died Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007 at Sunbridge Care and Rehabilitation in Hadley. Born in Canaan, Conn., on March 23, 1922, the second child of Theron and Silvia Ranolde Perkins, her family moved to North Adams, where she graduated from Drury High School. She also graduated from Skidmore College in Saratoga, N.Y., with a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1944. She and her husband, Capt. Donald Salisbury Kelsey, ran the Blue Belton Inn in Sheffield from 1945 to 1965. She later became a reading specialist at Kolburne School after pursuing a certificate in reading from Westfield State College. Photos taken during her youth show her skiing, canoeing, swimming, fishing, picnicking, horseback riding and dancing. It is not surprising that her love of sports and the outdoors led her to her first job at Girl Scout Headquarters in Malden. Ballroom dancing had always been one of her very favorite activities and she taught high school students in the 1950s. Mrs. Kelsey and her husband regularly won dance contests over the years. She also taught tap dancing at her home and at the Senior Center in Great Barrington. Tap recitals were held at various venues, including Summer Fest in downtown Great Barrington and local nursing homes. Mrs. Kelsey kept dancing and kayaking until she had to leave her home. As member of Old Parish Church, she was always helping others and worked at fundraisers, such as the annual antique show. She had a Girl Scout troop that she took camping, hiking and swimming. She never missed the annual "Walk for the Homeless" sponsored by Construct Inc. She raised awareness of families in need in Sheffield by initiating the first Food Donation Program in South Berkshire County, delivering baskets to needy families. The food program is still in operation today. She met her husband on a ski trip at Bear Mountain, N.Y., and they were married on Aug. 18, 1945, in North Adams. Capt. Kelsey died May 9, 2001. She leaves her son, Steven Kelsey of Housatonic; two daughters, Debra Kelsey Lawrence of Littleton, Colo., and Tamie Kelsey-West of Shutesbury; two sisters, Ann Ott of Lake Worth, Fla., and Marie Ott of Houston, six grandchildren, Francis Kelsey, Jennifer Kelsey, Tristan Lawrence, Tyson Lawrence, Devon West, and Emma West, and two great-grandchildren, Tyler Kelsey and Corneilius Lawrence. FUNERAL NOTICE - The family of the late Frances Perkins Kelsey will receive friends on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008, from 2 until 4 p.m. at the home of her son, Steve Kelsey and his wife, Christine, at 325 North Plain Road, Housatonic. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Construct Inc., an organization helping the homeless, through Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family through www.finnertyandstevens.com .

Obituaries

Celebrating Lives & Legacies

Frances P. Kelsey

Memorials