Mary Kelly

June 5, 1939 - December 4, 2024

Mary was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt who will be sorely missed.

Mary was one of a kind. She was born in Glasgow, Scotland and was one of four siblings. She and her sister Eileen were well known for running a popular pub in Springburn, Glasgow through the ’60s. They were the original “boss girls”—smart, pretty, and strong enough to handle the hardest of the Glaswegian “hard men”. Mary always marched to the beat of her own drum. She was also an exceptionally good judge of character (and looks) which was evident when she met Andy at sixteen in a Glasgow dance hall. When Andy suggested he would date her if she got rid of her boyfriend, she complied, and they married three years later. Andy adored Mary and followed her lead for almost seven decades through highs and lows from Scotland to Canada.

In 1974, Mary and Andy arrived in Vancouver without friends or resources . They exemplified grit, determination, and devotion to family. Mary worked in hospitality management and sales. She instilled a strong work ethic in her family. Her fondest memories were working at Kelly’s on Granville Street in the ’70s as an audio consultant because she liked that customers would ask for Mary Kelly to serve them, thinking (incorrectly) that she owned the place.

Mary and Andy displayed the ultimate in equal partnerships throughout their marriage and instilled the importance of family, loyalty, equality, and independence.. They are missed by daughters Karin Kelly (Andrew Leighton) and Michelle Kelly (Duncan Morgan), grandchildren Alix, Taylor, and Hayley Leighton (Sydney, Australia) and Sam and Declan Morgan (Squamish, BC), and family in Glasgow, Scotland.

Mary’s last words were “Take me away Andy,” which is fitting since she is now reunited with Andy, her partner of seventy years, who died on May 25, 2024. We are very comforted that they are now together again, but their loss weighs heavily in our lives.

Thanks for many years of support to Rosanne, a third daughter. Special thanks to Mina Tabei and Nahin and the team of devoted carers at Global Senior Care .

Heartfelt thanks to Michelle Kelly whose many years of support enabled Andy and Mary to live at home together as they wished.

A Celebration of life for Mary and Andy Kelly will be held on February 15th at Jericho Tennis Club in Vancouver. Condolences and shared memories may be left by visiting www.firstmemorialnorthvancouver.com