Ruth G. Kelly

“Ruthie” Gaisor was born in Chicago to Hungarian parents and grew up a city girl with a twinkle in her eye. She discovered a lifelong passion in music, leading to a degree at St. Francis College. While attending a USO dance at Chicago’s Navy Pier in 1945, she met future husband Navy Man and Brooklynite Hugh Kelly. They married in 1949 and soon settled in Garden City, Long Island, raising their four boys, her pride and joy. Ruth completed a Master’s in education from CW Post and worked as a music teacher.

In 1990, Ruth and Hugh relocated to Sandwich to retire and be near their grandchildren. Hugh passed shortly after the move, yet Ruth’s independent spirit allowed her to forge an active new life on the Cape. She taught piano to her grandchildren and was a perpetual student at the CCCC Academy for Lifelong Learning. Ruth sang for many years with both the Cape Cod Chorale and the Corpus Christi Choir.

She played piano at family gatherings and at age 88 recorded a solo piano album of her favorites including Chopin, Debussy and Gershwin. She was known for her no-holds-barred Scrabble matches, a discerning ice cream palate, and never missing her weekly Classy Cuts appointment (although punctuality is a source for debate). Ruth thoroughly enjoyed traveling, exploring Europe several times with her lifelong college pals, and making yearly pilgrimages back to Chicago and New York. Until the end, she loved singing Twinkle Twinkle and Wheels on the Bus via Zoom with her great-grandchildren.

Ruth is predeceased by her beloved husband Hugh, grandson Rory, brother Charles, and daughter-in-law Ann. She is survived by her four sons: Michael, Thomas, Daniel and wife Bronwyn (all of Long Island, NY) and Brian and wife Ann of Sandwich; 5 grandchildren: Liam (Amy) and Aislinn Ryan (Tim) of Sandwich, Padraic (Jessica) of Quincy, Roisin Titcomb (Payson) of Marstons Mills, Bronwyn of Huntington, NY and four great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Decatur House, Sandwich for their kindness and care of Ruth during her final year. A celebration of her life will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to either: NAMI of Cape Cod and the Islands, 5 Mark Lane, Hyannis, MA 0260, or in support of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex research at Mass General and mailed to the Massachusetts General Hospital Development Office, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114, Attention: K. Wojcicki, or online at giving.massgeneral.org/herscot; please indicate that the gift is a tribute gift in memory of Ruth Kelly.

For online condolences please visit www.nickersonbournefuneralhome.com