Diane Winifred Kelly

Diane Winifred Mulroy Kelly, most beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully at home on October 10th, 2020.

Diane is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Brian; her children and their spouses Sean and Christina, Stephen and Michelle, and Michelle and Michael Malixi; and her grandchildren Ryan, Nathan, Colin, Finn, Emmalynn, and Erin.  Diane was pre-deceased by her brother James Mulroy and her sister Joanne Wise.

Diane was born November 22, 1943 in Jersey City, New Jersey, the youngest daughter of James and Ann Mulroy.  After graduating from St. Aloysius High School in Jersey City, Diane spent time in the Maryknoll Convent School, contemplating a life of missionary religious service.  Ultimately, she chose a path as a lay person, and went on to earn her B.S. in Elementary Education from Seton Hall University and teach Sixth Grade in Bergenfield, NJ.

Diane met the love of her life, Brian, and they were married in August of 1968.  Diane and Brian moved to Bethlehem, PA where Brian was pursuing his doctoral studies at Lehigh University.  Diane again taught Sixth Grade, until the birth of their first son Sean in 1970, followed by Stephen in 1972 and Michelle in 1974.  Despite having children at home, Diane continued her career as an educator, now focusing on pre-school and early education.  After establishing small pre-school programs in local parishes, she went on to develop, lead, and substantially expand the pre-school programs of the Bradywine YMCA in Coatesville, PA.  Diane then went on to become the Associate Executive Director of the entire Bradywine YMCA, and subsequently the Executive Director of the Pottstown YMCA.  When Brian’s work took them to California, Diane took on the role of Executive Director of the Lompoc YMCA.  Diane and Brian decided to move back to the east coast when their first grandson was born in 1998, and she retired from the YMCA organization.  Back on the east coast, Diane continued to work part time in education, both as a substitute teacher and with the Head Start Program.  Diane’s great joy later in life came from spending time with her children and her 6 grandchildren.

Diane’s faith was always a central component of her life, and she was always very active with her local parish, especially with RCIA and the Charismatic Movement.  She combined her faith with her passion for education when living in Gaithersburg, Maryland by opening her home to provide classroom space for St Paul’s Montessori-based CCD program.  Diane was an avid reader, and was an aficionado of countless word games and puzzles, evolving over time from her omnipresent newspaper and pen, to iPads and online collaborative games.  Diane also loved spending time with her extended family in Avalon, NJ, where colorful beach umbrellas and sunsets over the bay were made even brighter by the laughter and energy of her grandchildren.

Services and interment will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Diane’s memory can be made to Maryknoll Sisters, P.O. Box 311, Maryknoll, NY  10545-0311, 866-662-9900, www.maryknollsisters.org.