SALEM - Emilie Kelley, 89, a lifelong resident of Salem passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her children on Friday December 18, 2015. She is the wife of the late Joseph Kelley.
Born in Salem, she was the seventh child of Jan & Aniela (Chojnowska) Stankiewicz. She was proud to have graduated early from Salem High School to begin a lifelong career at the New England Telephone Company. She met her husband, Joseph Kelley at a dance and the courtship began. They married and together they lovingly raised their four children in Salem.
Emilie lived life to the fullest and took advantage of all it had to offer. Proud of her Polish heritage she also loved learning about other cultures, foods and religions. She was a gypsy at heart and travelled the world with her family. Some of her favorite places were Florida, Hawaii, Poland, Israel and Rome. In Rome she had the privilege of being personally introduced to Pope John Paul II.
When we think of “Babci” we think of her trips to Winter Island, popcorn and chop suey sandwiches at the Willows, raising her African violets and camping in a tent until the age of 81. She taught all of us the importance of Respect. Respect for family, our traditions and to be a good citizen.
Although she was fiercely independent her world revolved around her family. She often said “without family you have nothing, you must always watch out for one another.”
Emilie is survived by her four children: Carol Kelley of Salem, Judy Kelley of Beverly, Susan and her husband John Sieczkowski of Middleton and Brian and his wife Shawna of Haverhill. Six grandchildren: Christine Kelley of Bradford, Scott Kelley and his wife Nicole of Bradford, Mark Sieczkowski and his wife Jen of Needham, Joshua Torres and his wife Meghan of Providence, RI, Alyssa Torres and Michelle Torres of Haverhill. And seven great-grandchildren: Bella and Ian Kelley-Lee, Jake, Sophia and Emma Sieczkowski, Angel Silva and Jackson Torres. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her two sisters: Mary (Pawlyk) Nageleski and Sophie (Sifaneck) Ruxton and four brothers: John, William, Thadeus and Steven.
Her funeral service will be held Wednesday, December 23, 2015 at 10 am from the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square East, by Salem Common, Salem, followed by a funeral Mass at 11 AM at the St. John the Baptist Church, Salem. Visiting hours are Tuesday, 4 to 7 PM. Burial is in St. Mary Cemetery, Salem. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Good Friday Walk for Hunger, P O Box 646, Beverly, MA 01915 or Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. For on line guest book and directions, visit www.SalemFuneral.com.