Elizabeth M. Kelley, 96 of Green Hill, South Kingstown died Saturday, June 23, 2018. She was the widow of Charles A. Kelley.
Born in Providence, she was a daughter of the late James T. and Susan (Casey) Murphy. She had been a teacher and guidance counselor working in the Pawtucket, RI and Attleboro, MA School Systems for many years before retiring. She had lived in Pawtucket before moving to South Kingstown.
Aunt Betty had many adventures. We have heard of the bike trips she took in her younger days. Long trips to Maine and even the Amish country. She climbed Mt. Washington two times in a single weekend. She and Uncle Charlie traipsed around the country and ground camped. They packed one good outfit, a dress for her a suit for him. They would go to the nicest restaurant in town, wine and dine themselves and then go back to their tent! They also traveled to Ireland, London and Bavaria. Her travels also took her to France, Russia and through the Panama Canal.
She lived life and loved everyone. As Judy Murphy remembers: She treated all her nieces, nephews and their friends like they were her children. Because we were. Aunt Betty had a great sense of humor and we loved to make her laugh. When my siblings and I were little we had a water fight with my cousin Jimmy Murphy. As long as we didn't get water in her house she didn't mind.
She kept the family history, retelling the ancestry of her roots to all who would listen, which of course we did. She could spin a good yarn.
Elizabeth Kelley was a fascinating woman and ahead of her time. She was strong willed, funny, fiercely independent, wise and a role model to us all. She gave sage advice, my favorite, “Let your children follow their own star”, and we did. I’m sure everyone here can recall a bit of Aunt Betty’s advice because you got it whether you wanted it or not.
She will be sorely missed, she passed in peace at her Sea Dream home. She will always be loved and remain the “Queen of Green Hill.
We want to thank her caregivers, Carolyn McCooey, without whom we would have been lost, her elder care guidance provided us with the knowledge we needed to keep Aunt Betty well and happy. Dayle Manning, Donna Madigan, Carleen Fredette, Rachel Floyd, Stacy Adams, Rhonda Laporte, and Alina Menzies. You allowed Aunt Betty to maintain the quality of life that she so well deserved. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
She is survived by her sister, Irene M. Franzen of Hookset, New Hampshire, as well as three generations of nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her siblings, Mary E. Keough, Francis R. Murphy, Joseph A. Murphy, James T. Murphy, Jr. and John J. Murphy.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday at 11:00am in St. Philip Church, 622 Putnam Pike, Smithfield. Burial will be St Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hope Hospice and Palliative Care of Rhode Island, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI.