August 29, 1940 - June 26, 2023
Jean Marie Kelley, beloved sister, aunt, grand-aunt, friend, and community contributor, age 82, of Boston, MA, passed away on June 26, 2023. She was predeceased by her parents, Rita and Francis Kelley of Boston, MA. She is survived by her sister, Kathleen Wolinski, and many family members and friends, including Goddaughter, Giselle Leary and her family, Thomas, Julia, Erin, and Madelyn, who will miss her dearly.
All her life, Jean gave generously to friends, family members, colleagues, and her community.
Jean retired from Tufts Medical Center after 52 years of service. She was the Manager of Financial Coordinating and Registration. She was extremely dedicated to the hospital, the patients, and her staff.
Jean was a member of the Volunteer Association of the Boston Ballet. For many decades, she devoted her time and energy helping out in the costume department as well as many other roles. Jean also generously shared her love of the arts with Julia, Erin, and Maddy. She took them to many ballets, specifically the annual Nutcracker performance.
Jean was a dedicated parishioner of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. She generously donated her time lectoring, training lectors, supporting the organ restoration project, and countless other roles.
Jean was a fierce advocate for low income housing for the elderly in the community she loved so dearly. She faithfully served as Clerk on the St. Helena’s House Board of Directors for 20+ years until her death. Jean was a founding member of The St. Helena’s Foundation of Boston Incorporated, where she also served as Clerk since its inception in 2017.
Jean was an avid traveler: she enjoyed journeying to many places locally and abroad with friends. She especially loved visiting friends and family on Cape Cod and St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. She was also a devoted fan of her local sports teams, and kept a critical eye on all her favorite players.
A funeral mass will be held in her honor at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, July 6, 2023 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston (1400 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118). The burial will be held privately at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, we invite you to make a donation in Jean’s memory to one of the following organizations where she volunteered:
-Boston Ballet, Development Department, 19 Clarendon St., Boston, MA 02116: make check out to: Boston Ballet, check memo: Costume Department
-Organ Restoration Project at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, make check out to: Cathedral of Holy Cross, check memo: Organ Restoration Fund
-St. Helena’s Foundation of Boston Incorporated, c/o Treasurer, Mr. Charles Petit, 677 Massachusetts Avenue, #1, Boston, MA 02118. Make check out to St. Helena’s Foundation of Boston Incorporated