Charlene A. Kelly's Obituary
Charlene A. Kelly (nee Leahy), age 77, of Westlake, passed away December 31, 2020. Beloved wife of Dennis M. Kelly; Loving mother of Colleen McGovern (Michael), Kathleen Parisi (Thomas), Kara Kelly, Karyn Willis (Gregory), Kevin Kelly and Kristin Koskey (Matthew). Cherished grandmother of Manon (Jon), Jameson, JT, Jack, Dylan, Liam, Kaelyn, Kian, Evan, Brooklyn, Payton, Collin and Audrey; Dear sister of Linda Muck (Richard) and Dennis Leahy (Joanne). Preceded in death by her parents Raymond and Dorothy (Nicolai) Leahy.
Married for 58 years, Charlene dedicated her life to raising her six children, which was her proudest accomplishment. She was devoted to her family and loved making memories with her family around the table. She also loved decorating her home for the holidays and passed her many traditions to her children, including the coveted, “Red Cranberry Jello” for Thanksgiving and Christmas and the “Green Seafoam Jello” for St. Patrick’s Day and Easter!
Charlene loved children and had a great passion for helping people. She volunteered with the Westlake City Schools on numerous committees, including being the PTA President, sharing her love of art with students through her role as “picture lady” and devoting her time to assisting in the classrooms. Charlene was also a Girl Scout Troop Leader and served as the Girl Scout Service Unit Director for Dupage County when she lived in Downers Grove, Illinois. She had a talent for arts and crafts and enjoyed reading, gardening and dancing.
Charlene said her grandchildren were the joys of her life. She enjoyed visiting the Lake Erie Nature Center in Bay Village with them as she loved animals and nature. Charlene loved walking in the Metroparks with her husband. She said, “The woods have their own special fresh scent, and they are so peaceful.” She also loved cheering everyone on at their sporting events, with her cowbells and decked out sweatshirts.
Charlene will forever live on in our hearts. The family wishes to thank the caring staff at Rae Ann’s Waterside Memory Care Unit. She was known there for her kind words, her upbeat personality and her infamous shimmying shoulders. We know she’s up there dancing the night away.
As Charlene always said, “Life is a gift to be treasured. Be kind. Make your mark.”
The family will receive friends and family to celebrate Charlene’s life on Saturday, July 10, 202l. Visitation in the Sunset Chapel located at 6245 Columbia Rd., North Olmsted 44070 is from 10am until the service starts at 11am. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in honor of Charlene’s grandson, Kian.
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