Donna McAuley Kelly, age 87, of Weston and Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, died peacefully on April 6, 2024, after a valiant three-year battle with several cancers. She was surrounded by her husband of 65 years, Hugh J. Kelly, and her loving family.
Born on September 4, 1936, and raised in the Bronx by the late Mary (Dolly) Buckley and Harold J. McAuley, Donna was the eldest of eight children, and had the benefit of an Ursuline Education from elementary school through her graduation from The College of New Rochelle in New York. She later attended Boston College working towards her Master’s Degree in Speech and Language Therapy, which enabled her to pursue her passion for working with children as a Speech and Language Pathologist for the Natick Massachusetts School System.
Donna had a radiant spirit with an insatiable appetite for learning. She was often found investing in the stock market by day and diving into a good book at night. She was a prolific artist who loved nothing more than sculpting in clay and stone or translating a beautiful view to her canvas using oil and watercolor. She enjoyed deep conversations where she shared her vast knowledge and wisdom with others but loved nothing more than enriching the development of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Donna was predeceased by her parents and siblings David McAuley, Paula Hollis, Brenda Victoria, and Laura Samuelson; and survived by her siblings Barbara Kelly, Brian McAuley, and Martha Keller. She is survived by her devoted husband, Hugh J. Kelly, their five children Chris (Shirley), Hugh (Shannon), Brian, Katie Hay (David), Donna Ruhanen (Troy); and 22 grandchildren, Erin Banta, Megan Cochran, Joe, Cat, Clare, and Emma Kelly; Nicho, Aggie, Theo and Temi Kelly; Patrick, Michael, Faith, Julia, Koko and Aedan Kelly; Grace & Keira Hay; Jack, Finn, Elle and Tom Ruhanen. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, Jack, Hudson, and Belle Banta; Georgia, James, and Charlie Cochran; and Alice Kelly.
The Kelly Family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the tireless professional caregivers and nurses who tended to Donna over the last two years as well as the devoted staff of Good Shepherd Hospice Services of Massachusetts.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 10 am on Saturday, April 20th at St. John The Evangelist Church, 9 Glen Rd, Wellesley Hills, MA. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Donna McAuley Kelly Scholarship Fund at the Academy of Mount Saint Ursula, 330 Bedford Park Boulevard, Bronx, New York, 10458.
Online guestbook at gfdoherty.com. Arrangements by George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, Wellesley.
DEAR KELLY FAMILY…
I am a classmate from CNR’s Class of 1958 and I am so sorry to hear of Donna’s death and share your pain and loss. Although we were not close pals, I always admired Donna’s grace and goodness. As our Ursuline mentors often said, “Now, we have another saint in heaven to pray for us and look after us.” For that, I am grateful. Prayers are in process to Donna and for you that you may be held in the peace of her new presence. Shalom/Shalaam, Fran [Sculli] Salone-Pelletier-Pelletier