Mary Carmelita Kelly
Date of Birth – September 19, 1937 ~ Date of Death – April 15, 2024
Mary C. Kelly of Castle Hayne fought a courageous battle and departed from our lives on April 15, 2024. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 68 years, Elmer Kelly. Also preceded in death by her mother and father, Daniel and Lucille DeVoy, siblings, Frank DeVoy, Danny DeVoy, William DeVoy, Joan DeVoy, Jerry DeVoy, John DeVoy, and Tommy DeVoy.
She is survived by her daughters, Kat Kelly of the home, Kristi Pugh, (Rusty) of Pineville, SC, grandchildren, Ellen Albea, Jesse Pugh (Kelly), and Claire Szabo (Steven), great-grandchildren Aleah Long, Josh Varnam, Axon Varnam, and Luca Rozell.
Surviving loved ones also include Sisters Rita Hitchen, Dee Paolella, Alice DeVoy-Young, Brother Tony DeVoy, plus dozens of nieces and nephews.
Mary Kelly cultivated a second surviving family of thousands. Her influence and legacy will continue to thrive in the hearts and community of countless souls.
Born in Enfield, IL on September 19th, 1937, Mary was one of 12 children. She moved to Evansville, IN her high school years. This is where she met and married Elmer Kelly. They made Evansville
their home until a job opportunity brought them to Wilmington, NC in 1969. This is also the year she began her journey of sobriety. On January 13th she picked up her white AA chip and this past January she earned her 55th blue chip. Her work for the addicted population in this area is legendary. She gave every ounce of herself
to this cause as she was not only going through it herself but making it possible for so many others to find sobriety and stay clean.
Her tenacity to make things better for all those lives she touched is unrenowned. She worked diligently to improve services for alcoholics and drug addicts in the entire state. She pioneered programs established for this population, some of which are: Stepping Stone Manor (halfway house for men), Pathway (halfway house for women), The Kelly House (halfway house for pregnant women and their children). This is only a small portion of her successes. She has and will continue to touch so many souls through all her good deeds.
There are no words to express our gratitude for all the love and support we’ve received from everyone during this difficult time. Her family asks that we continue to take care of each other as Mary would
want us all to do. Put aside your differences and do the next right thing in all that we do. We would also ask that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to https://lifecare.org or to https://wilmingtonaa.us
The funeral service will be at:
St Stanislaus on Wednesday April 24th, 2024.
4849 Castle Hayne Rd
Castle Hayne, NC 20429
Visitation: 10am
Service: 11am
Luncheon: 12pm
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.coblegreenlawn.com
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.6