Leona Kelley

Leona J. Kelley died at home on Dec. 16 surrounded by family. She was 81 and had lived all of her life in Flint. She was born November 22, 1926. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00am Friday, December 21, 2007 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church; Fr. Frances Faraci will be officiating, with burial at Flint Memorial Park. Family will greet friends and loved ones on Thursday from 11:00am until 8:00pm, on Friday Leona will be taken to lie in state from 10:00am until the time of service at 11:00am at the church. On Thursday the family will meet to pray the Rosary at 7:00pm, with Fr. Frances Faraci officiating. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Holy Rosary School or YWCA, envelopes are available at the funeral home and church. \ \ She is survived by Charles Bernard Kelley, her husband of 60 years; beloved sisters Mildred Myers of Davison and Irene Myers of Salem, Mass., and brother Maynard (Irene) Kranz of Flushing; daughters Ann Marie Kelley of Duluth, Minn., Patricia E. Kelley (Dennis Williams) of Albuquerque; sons, Dennis L. Kelley of Grand Blanc, Mark J. Kelley (Val) of Flint, John C. Kelley (Beth) of Lennon; 11 grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins and sisters-in-law Helen Cavanaugh of Jackson, Kathleen Clark of Lennon and Colleen Kanous of Burton; and cherished friends.\ \ She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Antonia (Shriffrer) Kranz; a brother, Robert Kranz; and a son, Michael J. Kelley. Leona graduated from St. Mary High School in 1944 and went to work at Michigan National Bank. She married and when her first child was born stayed home to be a full-time wife and mother. When her six children were older she worked for about 16 years at The Fair Store in the Courtland Mall until retiring. \ \ To her last breath she was considerate of and concerned about the comfort and welfare of others. The life of this gentle woman is perhaps best summed up by a few carefully preserved mementos she left behind: a lovely poster, "Remembrance of First Holy Communion (May 25, 1933); an honor certificate included with her high school diploma (June 11, 1944); her marriage certificate (Aug. 30, 1947); and six tiny beaded bracelets worn by her children after their births in St. Joseph Hospital. \ \ Leona died during a snow storm but at the moment of her passing, for just a few minutes, the sun came out. No one doubts that it was her way of saying goodbye and leaving us all with just a little bit more of her sweetness and grace. \