Marie Kelley North Brookfield, Massachusetts Obituary

Marie Kelley

NORTH BROOKFIELD- Marie J. (Parks) Kelley ,88, passed away on June 30, 2017 at the Overlook Masonic Health Center in Charlton. During her 6 years as a resident of the Overlook Skilled Nursing community, Marie, with the expert and loving care of the facility’s staff, fought a long and courageous battle against a debilitating neurological disease. She was born on July 9, 1928 in Watertown to Arthur and Irene parks. She grew up in Watertown, Ma and attended public schools there. Marie was a quiet, reflective individual with an unassuming confidence. Her smile was not the proverbial light up the room smile, but it was a warm and welcoming one. She was never one to seek attention or the spotlight; she was content to simply be. But to know her, to talk with her was to love her. Her exuberance for the simple things in life a humming bird sipping nectar at a flower, a hawk lazily circling a field, chipmunks and squirrels busily gathering acorns and pinecones, the sounds of spring peepers in the evening, watching birds at the feeder, especially the cardinals, and a warm breeze while enjoying a good book on the porch was what made her such a special person. She loved her family, friend, pets, and later her caregivers at Overlook Masonic, not with a smothering, overbearing love, but one that encouraged each and all to grow into and become what he, she or it was destined to be. She had the gift to make others comfortable in her presence, and in doing so encouraged the sharing of personal stories and experiences. She will be missed, remembered, and treasured by all who met her. And that’s a good thing to have done with one’s life. And ultimately when her disease robbed her completely of her mobility, depriving her of many of her simple joys , the staff at Overlook, through their love, determination, and ingenuity, created the means for her to escape that lack of mobility by enjoying the adventure of a good book in the warm sun of the third floor deck. And that was her paradise. Marie was predeceased by her husband William T. Kelley in August 2003. They had been happily married for 57 years. She was also preceded in death by a brother Arthur and her parents Arthur and Irene Parks. She is survived by a son Dennis M. Kelley and his wife Carol of North Brookfield; a daughter S. Elizabeth Shattuck and her husband Robert of Mount Vernon, NH; a daughter Sheryll A. Palmer of East Brookfield and a son William A. Kelley of West Brookfield; 3 brothers Bill, Freddie, Ed and his wife Margie Parks; a sister Gladys and her husband Joe Hoover; 2 grandchildren Jason and Keith Palmer; 4 great grandchildren and her loving nieces & nephews. Marie was an employee of Digital Equipment Corporation in Maynard, Ma for many years. Following that she served as the school secretary at Center School in Stow, Ma. A town she resided in for many years and where she and her husband Bill raised their four children. Marie’s relaxation and joy were her dogs and dog showing. She spent many years traveling the country winning awards with her Keshonden, Poodles, Collies and later downsizing to Poms. She also served positions of office in local breed clubs and national dog organizations. She was also a member of several breed rescue groups. She passed this love of animals and their care on to her four children and their spouses. In accordance with Marie’s wishes friends and family are invited to attend a graveside service on Thursday, July 13,2017 at 11:00AM in St. Josephs Cemetery Bell St. North Brookfield. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Overlook Masonic Home "Resident Activity Fund" 88 Masonic Rd. Charlton, MA 01507. Pillsbury Funeral Home 44 Gilbert St. North Brookfield is assisting the family with arrangements.
July 9, 1928 - June 30, 201707/09/192806/30/2017
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Obituary

NORTH BROOKFIELD- Marie J. (Parks) Kelley ,88, passed away on June 30, 2017 at the Overlook Masonic Health Center in Charlton. During her 6 years as a resident of the Overlook Skilled Nursing community, Marie, with the expert and loving care of the facility’s staff, fought a long and courageous battle against a debilitating neurological disease. She was born on July 9, 1928 in Watertown to Arthur and Irene parks. She grew up in Watertown, Ma and attended public schools there. Marie was a quiet, reflective individual with an unassuming confidence. Her smile was not the proverbial light up the room smile, but it was a warm and welcoming one. She was never one to seek attention or the spotlight; she was content to simply be. But to know her, to talk with her was to love her. Her exuberance for the simple things in life a humming bird sipping nectar at a flower, a hawk lazily circling a field, chipmunks and squirrels busily gathering acorns and pinecones, the sounds of spring peepers in the evening, watching birds at the feeder, especially the cardinals, and a warm breeze while enjoying a good book on the porch was what made her such a special person. She loved her family, friend, pets, and later her caregivers at Overlook Masonic, not with a smothering, overbearing love, but one that encouraged each and all to grow into and become what he, she or it was destined to be. She had the gift to make others comfortable in her presence, and in doing so encouraged the sharing of personal stories and experiences. She will be missed, remembered, and treasured by all who met her. And that’s a good thing to have done with one’s life. And ultimately when her disease robbed her completely of her mobility, depriving her of many of her simple joys , the staff at Overlook, through their love, determination, and ingenuity, created the means for her to escape that lack of mobility by enjoying the adventure of a good book in the warm sun of the third floor deck. And that was her paradise. Marie was predeceased by her husband William T. Kelley in August 2003. They had been happily married for 57 years. She was also preceded in death by a brother Arthur and her parents Arthur and Irene Parks. She is survived by a son Dennis M. Kelley and his wife Carol of North Brookfield; a daughter S. Elizabeth Shattuck and her husband Robert of Mount Vernon, NH; a daughter Sheryll A. Palmer of East Brookfield and a son William A. Kelley of West Brookfield; 3 brothers Bill, Freddie, Ed and his wife Margie Parks; a sister Gladys and her husband Joe Hoover; 2 grandchildren Jason and Keith Palmer; 4 great grandchildren and her loving nieces & nephews. Marie was an employee of Digital Equipment Corporation in Maynard, Ma for many years. Following that she served as the school secretary at Center School in Stow, Ma. A town she resided in for many years and where she and her husband Bill raised their four children. Marie’s relaxation and joy were her dogs and dog showing. She spent many years traveling the country winning awards with her Keshonden, Poodles, Collies and later downsizing to Poms. She also served positions of office in local breed clubs and national dog organizations. She was also a member of several breed rescue groups. She passed this love of animals and their care on to her four children and their spouses. In accordance with Marie’s wishes friends and family are invited to attend a graveside service on Thursday, July 13,2017 at 11:00AM in St. Josephs Cemetery Bell St. North Brookfield. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Overlook Masonic Home "Resident Activity Fund" 88 Masonic Rd. Charlton, MA 01507. Pillsbury Funeral Home 44 Gilbert St. North Brookfield is assisting the family with arrangements.

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Events

Jul
13
Service
Thursday, July 13 2017
11:00 AM
St.Josephs Cemetery-North Brookfield
Bell St.
NORTH BROOKFIELD, MA 01535
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