Kelly, Anne

It is with great sadness, we announce the passing of Anne Kelly (nee Lavelle) on January 5th, 2025.

She was born to Catherine (nee Deacy) and Patrick Lavelle in County Mayo, Ireland on March 8, 1926.  Anne was predeceased by her devoted husband Michael in 2006 after 52 years of marriage.

She was a loving mother to her three children, Maureen, Sean and Keiran (Deborah) and grandmother to Micheal (Jillian), Ryan, and Aaron Kelly and grand dog Charlie.  She was great grandmother to Makenzie and Logan.

Anne was predeceased by her parents and siblings Thomas Lavelle (Veronica) of Finchley, England, Mary Corrao (Vincent) of New York, USA, Margaret Hamilton (George) of Buckinghamshire, England, and Catherine Carney (Bill) of Philadelphia, USA.

In her younger days, Anne was full of adventure. At the age of 17, she departed Ireland alone to assist in the war effort in High Wycombe, England.  She worked evening shift in the manufacture of radar equipment for airplanes.  At the end of her shift, she worked her way back to her “digs” in the dark to avoid detection.  When the war ended, she was hired by Thames Valley Transit as a fare collector on a double decker bus which included routes around the British countryside.

In 1952, she made the difficult decision to leave the British Isles and her family to make a new life in Canada.   She landed in Halifax by ship in 1952 and then took a two-day train ride to Toronto.  She was hired by Radio Valve on Dufferin Street and worked in the assembly of black and white televisions.  It was travelling home after her evening shift, she sat behind the driver on a TTC bus, was chatted up by said driver and the rest is history…

In July 1954, Anne and Michael were married in Mimico, Ontario.  They purchased their first home in Port Credit and Anne kept busy by lovingly tending her garden and their three children.  She was a lady of many talents including making clothes, knitting, singing, painting (walls and watercolours), playing musical instruments and writing poetry. She made Maureen’s Irish dancing costume in blue wool crepe and proceeded to embroider the entire bodice, skirt and cape in a Celtic pattern.   She loved being outside and would gladly cut the lawn rather than being cooped up inside cooking.   She even carried concrete blocks to the builders while the addition was being put on the house. She also had several part time jobs during those years including working at the Mississauga Real Estate Board and the Peel Board of Education as a Teacher’s Assistant.  After Michael retired from the TTC, Mom decided to return to work full time until Christmas and let Dad do the cooking and shopping for the family.  She ended up working for Bell Canada for the next 13 years until her retirement in 1988.

Mom and Dad travelled during their retirement including a trip back to Ireland to visit relatives in their respective counties of Mayo and Sligo and a trip to England and Wales to visit their niece Carmel Jones (Keith).  Carmel kept in touch with Mom by phone, letter, cards and visits.  Mom will be missed by Linda and Bob Adams who were lifelong friends.  Linda and Mom often shared a cup of “Eight O’clock” coffee during their visits.

We would like to acknowledge the staff at the nursing home who provided Anne with care, comfort and clean up when her favourite beverage tea was spilled.  Thank you, Elizabeth and Diane, from St. Vincent’s for bringing communion and prayers on a regular basis.

A private funeral will be held at St. Vincent’s Church in Meaford and interment will occur on Friday at Assumption Catholic Cemetery in Mississauga.

As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Beaver Valley Outreach would be appreciated (Anne always loved the bargains) and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON   N4L 1B9 to whom arrangements have been entrusted.   www.fergusonfuneralhomes.ca

 

Details

A private funeral will be held at St. Vincent's Church in Meaford and interment will occur on Friday at Assumption Catholic Cemetery in Mississauga.

Make a donation in memory of Anne Kelly

Donations: Beaver Valley Outreach
Donate securely through Ferguson Funeral Home


Memories & Messages of condolence

  1. Lynne
    Tuesday, January 7, 2025

    Anne was truly the most creative ‘other mother’ I’ve ever known.
    Always thinking of a new art project or reporting what was on TV, sports and world affairs! And the Accordion!!! How did she master that? She was inspiring.
    Thank you for letting me be a part of your family.
    Lynne

    Reply
  2. Christine Staeger
    Tuesday, January 7, 2025

    Every night we would sing An Irish lullably, and she’d get the biggest kick out of that.
    She’d say, ” Come here”, and reach out for a hug and say ” I thank you for that.”
    Thank You Anne.
    I’m going to miss her.
    Just in another realm and only ever a whisper away.
    Angels Walk

    Reply
  3. Paul Lavelle
    Tuesday, January 7, 2025

    Anne sounds like a remarkable woman, strange to think that I never met her. I know she corresponded with my mother Veronica around each Xmas and kept mum up to date with how her children were doing, she was evidently proud of them.
    She was the last of my 15 uncles and aunts to pass, the last of a wonderful generation
    May she rest in peace

    Reply
    1. Sean Kelly
      Wednesday, January 8, 2025

      Paul , you did meet her when you were very young, she spoke often of taking you for a walk in England and how successful you had become.
      Thanks for the note.

      Reply
    2. Paul lavelle
      Saturday, January 11, 2025

      I wonder when that was , have no recollection
      If you don’t mind , please send me an email contact
      Regards
      Paul

      Reply
  4. Robert Adams
    Tuesday, January 7, 2025

    She was a special lady and she will be missed. She was in my life for over 70 years but come Christmas when I make her shortbread cookies that are Bob’s favorite I will think of her. Also the smell of eight o’clock coffee will bring back special memories Love always Linda and Bob

    Reply
  5. Gail McClurg
    Tuesday, January 7, 2025

    Dear Anne, your and Mike’s friendship with my family when I was young meant a lot to me when I was young, and to my mother who was far from her own home in Newfoundland. I’m so glad they remained friends all their lives. Rest in peace. Lois McClurg

    Reply
  6. Robert HAMILTON
    Wednesday, January 8, 2025

    So sorry to hear of your loss- a remarkable Lady. Met her only once when Anne came to my Mother Margaret’s funeral in 1977. Had no idea that she spent some years in High Wycombe. So much talent came out of that tiny farm house in Ireland.

    Reply
    1. Sean Kelly
      Wednesday, January 8, 2025

      Thank You Robert.
      I visited the Farm house once in early seventies.
      Straw roof, dirt floors.
      Only time I met a grandparent.
      Thanks for note.

      Reply
      1. Robert HAMILTON
        Monday, January 13, 2025

        Hi Sean – never met you but my late brother Raymond visited you in the early 1980’s. I Visited the farm house as a Baby in 1958- and then again in 1964 and 1968. Grandad Patrick was clearly in the late stages of dementia at that time. Stole some tobacco whilst he was playing the accordion- shame on me!. Seriously- hope everything went O.K. regarding your Mother’s funeral- always available for a chat this side of the pond.

        Reply
  7. Debbie Crook
    Wednesday, January 8, 2025

    Maureen, Sean, Keiran and family, please accept our sincere condolences for your profound loss. She was one of a kind. I have very fond memories of Atwater. May she rest in peace. Xo

    Reply
    1. Sean Kelly
      Wednesday, January 15, 2025

      Hi Debbie.
      Thank You .
      Life is getting shorter.
      Hope to see you up here again.

      Reply
  8. Jim McClurg
    Wednesday, January 8, 2025

    Dear Maureen, Sean and Keiran. I am so sorry to hear of Anne’s passing. Anne and Mike as you know we’re great friends with my mom and dad for many, many years. As kids, my sisters and I always looked forward to a visit with your family. Many good memories. Her passing brings back a lot of them. Your mom was an amazing person and will be missed by many. My condolences go out to you and your families. Love from Jim and Sharon McClurg.

    Reply
  9. Fionnuala Sparling
    Thursday, January 9, 2025

    I first met your mother 2 days before Christmas, when I was delivering Christmas goodie stockings from St Vincent’s to our “parishioners” in the LTC.
    What a lovely lady! I immediately recognized her strong Irish accent! When I told her my parents came from Donegal, she replied “Sure that’s not so far from our place!” Our visit was short, but I thought I would like to drop in again after the holidays. Unfortunately that was not to be.
    May she rest in peace.
    Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis! (May her soul be on God’s right hand side!) Irish blessing.

    Reply
  10. Sheila and Kevin McDermott
    Thursday, January 9, 2025

    Dear Maureen, Sean, Keiran and family.

    Our deepest sympathies on your loss. We remember your mother Anne fondly and have good memories of times shared between the Kelly and McDermott families. Our warmest thoughts to all of you.

    Sheila and Kevin McDermott

    Reply
  11. Antoinette Bell
    Monday, January 13, 2025

    Maureen and Family

    Sorry for the loss of your sweet Mother. I remember how kind she was to drive Maureen and I to our work place in Etobicoke on her way to her work place at Bell Canada.
    Reading the obituary, she sure was a resilient lady. May she rest in peace.

    Antoinette Bell

    Reply
  12. Monica Janecek
    Monday, January 13, 2025

    Maureen, Sean and Keiran,
    I’m so sorry to hear about your mother’s passing.
    I have such nice memories of your family, and of life on Atwater Avenue, so many years ago.
    Sincere condolences, from your neighbour across the street, Monica.

    Reply

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