Carolyn Kelley

She was predeceased by her husband George F. Kelley and is survived by their three children, Nancy K. Beaton and her husband Jeffrey D. Beaton of Mansfield, MA, Margaret E. (Peggy) Kelley and her Significant Other James C. Vailas of Bedford, NH and Charles G. (Chuck) Kelley of Gilmanton, NH. She also leaves four grandchildren, Alyssa C. Mulcahy, Jonathan J. Gottwald, Meghan E. Beaton, and Benjamin K. Gottwald; and a great grandchild, Ella L. Mulcahy.

Carolyn was born on September 2, 1926 to Wilbur L. and Bernice L. (Snell) Young in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She grew up in Pittsfield and Marblehead, MA, and graduated from the Salem State (MA) Teacher’s College in 1948. Carolyn was an elementary school teacher for more than 10 years at the Parker School in Lexington, MA. She also taught children of U.S. servicemen stationed at Bentwaters Air Force Base near Ipswich, England for a year.

She married George F. Kelley in 1958. They had 57 happy years together in Ipswich and Hamilton, MA and Gilmanton and Concord, NH. Carolyn loved spending time with her family and friends. She loved to travel, and traveled extensively throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. She loved crafts (of all kinds) and music. She was a member of several church choirs, local choral societies, and was a junior choir director throughout her life.

Carolyn was instrumental in the funding and building the permanent Gilmanton Year-round Library. As a former teacher and local librarian, creating this resource for the Gilmanton community was a long-time passion. The children’s reading room is dedicated to her efforts.

She enjoyed the Havenwood-Heritage Heights community, which gave her many fond memories and great friends. She was active in this community as well. She was involved in several crafting clubs, and choral and drama groups.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gilmanton Year-round Library, 1385 NH Route 140, Gilmanton Iron Works, NH 03837 (http://www.gyrla.org)

A spring memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2019 at 10:00 am at the Gilmanton Community Church.

Burial will follow in the family lot at Smith Meeting House Cemetery, Gilmanton, NH.

A memorial service to celebrate her life, and burial will be held in the Spring (details to follow). Arrangements are entrusted to the Bennett Funeral Home of Concord, NH.