Write a commentAgatha M. Kelly, We are saddened to announce that our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great- Grandmother, and Aunt, passed away peacefully on March 3rd with her daughters by her side.
She was an amazing 95 years of age.
Agatha was the daughter of Ralph and Angeline (Santoro) DeBelles of Minetto, NY. She is survived by four children, Theresa (Tess) Kelly of Novi, Michigan, Paula (Mike) Tighe, of Pulaski, New York, Carla (Peter) Bowers of Dallas, Texas. and Joseph (Rusty) Kelly (JP Stephenson) of Emeryville, California, and grandchildren Scott and Jennifer Tighe and great-grandchild, Tai. Agatha is predeceased by her beloved husband of 72 years, Joseph T. Kelly and her eldest son, Timothy J. Kelly, her parents, Angeline and Ralph DeBelles, brother Ralph DeBelles and sisters Rosemary Grosso and Charlotte Stewart.
Agatha grew up on a family farm where they all contributed to the chores and management of the farm. She attended a one- room schoolhouse in Minetto making for a very interesting childhood all contributing to her sturdy character. A graduate of OHS, she was active as a cheerleader and proudly played the first clarinet in the school band. After high school, she went to Rochester Business Institute completing the secretarial course leading to a position at Cyclotherm where she met her husband Joseph T. Kelly, employed as an Accountant. She spent many years as a wife and mother until returning to work as a secretary at the Oswego School District, learning to work as a data entry assistant on a mainframe IBM computer and then retired from this position in 1992. Agatha and Joe then spent over 30 years enjoying the snowbird lifestyle, wintering in St. Petersburg Florida, and summering at their home in Oswego.
A Catholic and member of St. Paul’s Church, the Altar Rosary Society and also a volunteer at Oswego Hospital and H. Lee White Maritime Museum. Agatha was known for being a very strong and independent woman, a loving wife and mother, a gracious hostess and wonderful cook. She loved traveling, sewing, needlepoint and working puzzles on her iPad.
Calling hours will be Thursday March 13th 2pm - 5 pm at Dain Cullinan Funeral Home in Oswego, N.Y. Funeral services will be Friday March 14th at 10am at Christ the Good Shepherd Church, formerly St. Paul’s. Agatha will be laid to rest next to her husband, Joseph at St. Peter’s Cemetery.
