Joan Kelly
6/26/36 – 12/6/20

Previous listing with tributes and memorials

Joan C. Kelly of Harleysville died peacefully Sunday afternoon due to complications resulting from the coronavirus. She was 84.

Mrs. Kelly was born in 1936 to John J. and Elizabeth Collins of Philadelphia. She was the third child born into a family that would ultimately consist of seven daughters and a son. The Collins family resided in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia, and Mrs. Kelly often recounted anecdotes from her childhood which always touched on the same themes: The love and devotion of her parents, the unshakable bonds that existed among her siblings, and the omnipresent influence of her Catholic faith. She was a 1954 graduate of Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls, and married her lifetime partner, James F. Kelly, in September 1962. Joan Kelly held several positions, most notably at the North Penn YMCA and Wallquest Inc. But the chronicle of her life should show that her true vocation was her indefatigable commitment to her husband, children, and grandchildren. When she drove her children to swim meets in the 1980s or picked up her grandchildren at a grade school dance, she never did so out of a sense of obligation; she did it with the vigor of someone who cherished time spent with family above all else.

Mrs. Kelly was was a longtime parishioner of Corpus Christi Church and an avid reader, whose other hobbies included crossword puzzles and cross-stitch. She always looked forward to Friday night dinners with her sisters, and her travel highlights included spending Thanksgiving with her son in Florida, as well as trips to Ireland with her husband.

Her untimely passing has left a void in the Kelly family that can never be filled, but her spirit will persevere in the hearts and minds of all those touched by her undying love.

Mrs. Kelly, who was preceded in death by her husband James F. Kelly, leaves behind a loving family that includes five children: James F. Kelly III (and wife Rayanne) of Cocoa Beach, FL, Colleen Kelly of Lansdale PA, Joan ‘Missy” Butler (and husband David) of Conowingo, MD, Daniel Kelly (and wife Regina) of Lansdale, PA, and Brian Kelly of Philadelphia, PA. In addition, she is survived by nine grandchildren: Marie Kelly Mast (and husband Aaron), James F. Kelly IV, Kate Kelly, Colin Kelly, Courtney Kern, David Butler, Liam Kelly, Michael Kern, and Bryan Butler. In the midst of a year fraught with turmoil, Mrs. Kelly was also blessed to see the birth of her only great-grandchild, Claire Jean Mast. Mrs. Kelly was preceded in death by her loving sister Colleen Marnie. She is survived by her siblings Dorothy Stratten (and husband Bruce (dec.)), Elizabeth Collins, MaryLou Dooling (and husband Jim), John Collins (and wife Carole), Theresa Slachta (and husband Larry), and Susan Fowler (and husband Robert (dec.)).

Relatives and Friends are invited to attend Joan’s Funeral Mass on, Friday, July 23, 2021, at 11 AM at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 900 Sumneytown Pike, Lansdale, PA 19446, where the family will receive friends from 9 to 10:45 AM in the Church Narthex, prior to Mass.