November 12, 1933 – September 13, 2023
Barbara A. Kelley of Reading passed away peacefully on September 13, 2023, at her home in Reading, surrounded by her family. She was 89 years of age.
Barbara was the beloved wife of the late Paul A. Kelley. She was the devoted mother of Timothy J. Kelley and his wife Christine of Reading, Shawn J. Kelley and his wife Myriam of Amherst, NY and the late Brian P. Kelley. Loving “Ma” of Betsy, Mary Kate and T.J. Kelley and Melissa and Alex Kelley and Rob, Allie, Emily and Julia Foley. Cherished sister of Joan Walsh and her husband Robert of Falmouth, ME and sister-in-law of the late William and Marjorie Kelley. Barbara also leaves family members, Lori and Ken Foley and Robert Cavagnaro, and many nieces, nephews and close friends.
Barbara was raised in Winthrop, daughter of the late Helen V. (Cummings) Kelley. She and Paul raised their family in Reading and were very active in the community including with St. Agnes Church. Barbara was known to all in Reading as “Ma,” especially to the many children and parents at St. Agnes Playgroup and Family Liturgy. Barbara and Paul regularly participated in myriad sharing groups, organized the Catholic Charities Gift Giving Program and for many years ran a checkpoint at the Walk for Hunger. Barbara was a proud member of Regis College, Class of 1955, and in 2000 was awarded the Alumnae Loyalty Award. Barbara was a dedicated teacher, spending most of her career as a special educator in Reading. She was awarded Reading Public School’s Exemplary Teacher Award in 1987. Barbara loved spending time with her family, visiting with friends and classmates, reading, baking and hosting gatherings.
Barbara’s funeral will be held from the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home, 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.), Reading on Thursday, September 21 at 9:30 am followed by a mass of Christian burial at St. Agnes Church, 186 Woburn St., Reading at 10:30 am. Burial will follow at Forest Glen Cemetery in Reading. Funeral home visiting hours will be Wednesday, September 20 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm.
Memorial donations may be made to Regis College, by mail, Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations, 235 Wellesley Street, Box 30, Weston, MA 02493 or online, https://alumni.regiscollege.edu/memgifts
