Barbara
Barbara Ruth Kelley
d. December 19, 2021
Barbara Ruth (Smith) Kelley, age 93, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2021, in Lehigh Acres, Florida, with loving family by her side.
She was born in Herkimer, NY on December 27, 1927, to the late Leo and Emma Smith. She and her beloved husband, Charles “Chuck” Kelley were married in Saint Francis de Sales Church in Herkimer on October 28, 1950. She and Chuck, who predeceased her on August 9, 2015, enjoyed life together, including the outdoors, friends and of course, family. She was also predeceased by her daughter, Mary.
Barb was a graduate of Saint Elizabeth’s School of Nursing and started her career in nursing at Herkimer Hospital. She later moved to work for Herkimer County Social Services, a position from which she retired in 1990. Barb was always happy taking care of people, especially her family, which was so important to her; and her smile could light up a room. Barb and Chuck enjoyed many years of retirement, being snow birds between their home in Palmetto, Florida and their spot at the lake in Richfield Springs.
Barbara leaves behind two sons, Chris and his wife, Dana, of Fort Myers, Florida and Kevin and his wife, Mary, of Raleigh, North Carolina. In addition, she leaves behind 9 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren that were all so very important to her. The mere mention of them always brought a smile to her face.
Friends and relatives are invited to attend Barb's Funeral Mass which will be offered on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at 10:00AM at Saint Francis de Sales Church in Herkimer. Procession will follow to Oak Hill Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest with her husband, Chuck.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the East Herkimer Fire Department or to Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc.
Local arrangements have been entrusted to the Enea, Ciaccia & Applegate Funeral Directors.
She was born in Herkimer, NY on December 27, 1927, to the late Leo and Emma Smith. She and her beloved husband, Charles “Chuck” Kelley were married in Saint Francis de Sales Church in Herkimer on October 28, 1950. She and Chuck, who predeceased her on August 9, 2015, enjoyed life together, including the outdoors, friends and of course, family. She was also predeceased by her daughter, Mary.
Barb was a graduate of Saint Elizabeth’s School of Nursing and started her career in nursing at Herkimer Hospital. She later moved to work for Herkimer County Social Services, a position from which she retired in 1990. Barb was always happy taking care of people, especially her family, which was so important to her; and her smile could light up a room. Barb and Chuck enjoyed many years of retirement, being snow birds between their home in Palmetto, Florida and their spot at the lake in Richfield Springs.
Barbara leaves behind two sons, Chris and his wife, Dana, of Fort Myers, Florida and Kevin and his wife, Mary, of Raleigh, North Carolina. In addition, she leaves behind 9 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren that were all so very important to her. The mere mention of them always brought a smile to her face.
Friends and relatives are invited to attend Barb's Funeral Mass which will be offered on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at 10:00AM at Saint Francis de Sales Church in Herkimer. Procession will follow to Oak Hill Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest with her husband, Chuck.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the East Herkimer Fire Department or to Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc.
Local arrangements have been entrusted to the Enea, Ciaccia & Applegate Funeral Directors.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Barbara Ruth Kelley, please visit our flower store.
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