Norma Kelley, widow of E. Ray Kelley of Manchester, MA, went home to be with the Lord surrounded by her loving family on January 20 following a brief decline in health.
Norma was born in Portland, Maine, on November 13, 1925, and moved to Manchester in 1951, where she and her husband raised their three daughters. She was a member of Cornerstone Church (formerly First Baptist of Manchester), where she sang in the choir for many years and was involved in numerous community activities over her 98 years, including her role as a founding member of the Seaside Garden Club and volunteering at Addison Gilbert Hospital Coffee Shop and the Northshore Childrens Hospital’s Thrift Shop in Salem. She was an avid reader, which led to her eventual employment as a library assistant at the Manchester Public Library for over 30 years. She belonged to two book clubs, one in Manchester and the other in Palm City, FL, where she spent 18 winters and made many loving friends. Norma was also a member of the Manchester and Palm Cove Women's Clubs. She enjoyed traveling extensively with her husband and friends to all parts of the globe.
Norma considered her greatest accomplishment the raising of her three daughters to know and love the Lord.
She was predeceased by her husband, Ray; her brother, Robert Thing; her sister, Lillian Casta; and many, many dear friends.
She is survived by her daughters, Eileen Buckley and husband, Jack, of Manchester; Elizabeth Kelley Coughlin of Sandwich and Diane Heggerick and husband, Bob, of Palm City, FL. She is also survived by her grandchildren, whom she adored, David Buckley and his wife, Jeana, Ian Buckley and his wife Jaimee, Jacqueline Coughlin, and Shelby Heggerick. She cherished her great-grandchildren, Gabriella, Aidan, Giana, Rachel, and Stella, and was joyfully anticipating the birth of her second great-grandson.
A memorial service will be held at the Cornerstone Church, 20 School Street, Manchester, on Saturday, January 27, at 1 pm, followed by a reception at the Manchester Legion.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Library, 15 Union Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944or to Shriners Hospital for Children, Development Office, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114.
