Mary Elizabeth Kelly, known to her friends as “Betty,” died Nov. 29. She was 97. She was a beloved mother to four and grandmother to eight, a teacher, a world traveler, and a tenacious bridge player. Born in Atchison, Kansas, on July 10, 1917, she was the elder daughter of John Wilson and Amanda Hummel Moore, sister of Jack Moore (dec.) and Sara Margaret Moore (dec.). She is survived by her children, Patrick Kelly and Susan Kelly Jardina, both of Dallas; Kathy Kelly Kuras, of Houston; and Sara Ann Kelly Michaelis of Louisville, Colorado; grandchildren Greer, Nikki and Zoe Kuras; Elizabeth and Anthony Jardina; James, Katy and Matthew Michaelis; a great-grandson, Tommy Stoler; and nephews John Moore of Sarasota, Florida and Richard Moore of Hastings, Michigan. A graduate of Washington Elementary School and Atchison High School, she earned her B.S. (Mathematics) at Mount Saint Scholastica College in Atchison in 1939. In 1943 she married P.J. Kelly, Jr. (dec.), then an ensign in the U.S. Navy. After the war they lived in Atchison and raised their family. Dearborn Stove Company hired Mr. Kelly in 1956, bringing the family to Dallas. Beginning in 1962, Mrs. Kelly taught elementary school at St. Pius X (Dallas). In 1976 she joined the faculty at Bishop Lynch High School, teaching algebra and geometry until her retirement in 1989. She was a long-time member of PEO and was active in several bridge clubs into her 90s. An avid reader, she particularly enjoyed book groups at the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture. She permanently lost her sense of smell during a childhood illness, but she always wore Chanel No. 5. There will be a memorial gathering for Betty’s friends, colleagues and family Friday, Dec. 5 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. with a rosary at 5:30 at Sparkman-Crane Funeral Home, 10501 Garland Road, Dallas 75218.
