Betty D. Kelly - Obituary

etty Louise Kelly (née Davis), 89, passed away peacefully on October 12, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones, after a brief battle with heart-related illness. Born in Jacksonville, FL, on April 6, 1937, Betty grew up with two brothers (Andy and Tony) and three sisters (Marie, Dorothy and Nancy). Her family later moved to Washington, DC, where she attended McKinley Tech and met her husband, John. Their marriage of 70 years was the foundation of a large and loving family. Together, they made their home in Arnold, MD, where they raised 12 children. Their family grew to include 51 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren (and counting). Above all, Betty was a mother and a caretaker whose love reached far beyond her own family. She cared for countless individuals throughout her life, making room in her heart for all those who needed her. She delighted in the successes of her children and grandchildren, celebrating their accomplishments and taking pride in the lives they built. Spending time with her family and friends was her greatest joy. Betty’s Catholic faith was the most important part of her life, and attending daily Mass brought her fulfillment and joy. She loved playing cards with her family, never said no to a good party, and treasured the many summers she spent reading, relaxing, and soaking up the sun in South Bethany Beach, DE and Ocean City, MD. Her legacy will live on forever in family gatherings, cherished traditions, favorite recipes, and “Grandma Betty” stories shared for generations to come. Betty is survived by her husband, John E. Kelly Sr.; their 12 children, John Jr. (Debbie), Colleen (Keith), Michael (Tina), Stephen (the late Sharon), Margaret (John), Teresa (Ronnie), Christopher, JoAnn (the late Terry), Joseph, Dara (Sean), Brendan (Holly), and Ryan (Virginia); and her cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Friends are invited to celebrate Betty's life on Thursday, October 22 from 6 to 8 pm at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 620 N. Bestgate Rd., Annapolis, MD where Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Friday, October 23 at 10 am. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Betty’s memory to the Hospice of the Chesapeake Foundation, John and Cathy Belcher Campus, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122. Condolences may be made by using the Memories link on this page.