Joan Gardner Kelly, 88, of Manchester, NH died Sunday, April 5, 2015 in the Mapleleaf Healthcare Center in Manchester. She was born in Melrose, MA, a daughter of the late William and Sophie (Johnson) Gardner. She graduated from Melrose High School, attended Pinkerton Academy in Derry as a Post-Graduate and graduated from Westbrook College in Portland, ME. She was an avid sportsperson and played varsity basketball, softball and tennis in high school and college.
Joan worked as a Secretary in Boston and Gloucester, MA prior to her marriage to Thomas J. Kelly D.D.S. to whom she was married for 40 years. He predeceased her in 1995. He introduced her to the game of golf and she became an avid golfer. She was Club Champion at Derryfield Country Club before joining Manchester Country Club. She was a five times Club Champion at Manchester CC, and a two time Club Champion at Bradenton County Club in Florida. She served as President of the NH Women’s Golf Assoc. in 1965 and 1966 and President of N.E. Women’s Golf in 1966 and again in 1972. She also had two hole in ones at Manchester Country Club. Besides loving golf, she also enjoyed bowling, bridge and watercolor painting.
She is survived by one brother, William Gardner, Jr. of Victor, MT; one sister, Freda McKay of Lady Lake, FL; as well as several nieces and nephews.
There are no calling hours. Private burial was in the Forest Hill Cemetery in E. Derry. A memorial service will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family. The Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry assisted the family with arrangements.