Mary Kelly Pope

Mary Kelly Gallagher Pope

1941-2022

On October 15th, 1941, Mary Kelly Gallagher (who would one day become an Irish Pope) entered the world with an internal radiance that melted hearts and forged bonds with friends and family. These same friends and family members would stand by her side until the moment of her passing, on the morning of November 14th, 2022.

Born of Irish descent, Kelly spent much of her childhood on the shady tree lined streets of Old Fig Garden. The second oldest of six children, Kelly looked up to her older brother John (Nip) and was a loving second mother to her four younger siblings: Gilmore, Susie, Declan and Kevin. Over the years, the Gallagher family (along with The Moroneys, Hollingsworths, Kellys, Giffens, & VanVleets) spent quality time together in Santa Cruz, frolicking on the beach, cruising The Boardwalk, and visiting Santa’s Village.

At age 8, Kelly joined the DeVaux Dolphins Swimming & Diving Team. She loved the weightless freedom of swimming and the thrill of twisting through the air into the deep water below. It was also an excellent way to beat the Fresno heat! She competed in meets, from Berkeley to Bakersfield until the age of 14, collecting medals along the way.

In 1955, Kelly hung up her swim suit, picked up a tennis racket, and headed off to Sacred Heart boarding school in Menlo Park. Tennis and studying kept her busy; but, she always made time for socializing!

It was at Sacred Heart that Kelly met Pat Anderson and Penny Bass. The three young girls quickly became life long friends. Over the course of her life, Kelly was blessed with numerous amazing friends — because she was an amazing friend — always there in times of need.

When she graduated from Sacred Heart, Kelly's father encouraged her to pursue a career in business. She began taking classes at Central California Commercial College in Fresno. But after two years of studying, she realized she was not interested in business. She was interested in Gary Pope.

No one quite remembers how Gary Pope first laid eyes on Kelly … perhaps he saw her picture on St. Patrick’s Day in 1961, when Kelly was crowned Fresno’s Queen of Ireland. Her photograph was prominently featured on the front page of the Fresno Bee — dwarfing an image of Kennedy. Or perhaps it was a chance meeting at a party. Regardless, of how, where or when their paths crossed, their courtship was quick. On August 4th, 1962, at the Shrine of St. Therese, Kelly Gallagher became Kelly Pope.

They started a family in the bay area, living first in Lafayette and then in Moraga. Kelly’s first child, Sean Kelly Pope, was born in 1963, Amy Lee Pope in 1965, and Cory Leon Pope in 1971.

Kelly decided to make a new life for herself in 1973 and moved back to Fresno with her three children. There were ups and downs. But with the help of friends and family, Kelly persevered and in the process, she discovered that her children were her true passion!

Time passed, and one by one her kids took their own marriage vows. Amy wed first to Tanner Tingey, then Cory to Lori Knudsen, and lastly, Sean to Kristen Lenac.

With marriage, came a steady flow of grandkids. Amy and Tanner had Logan, Keegan and Trinity. Cory and Lori had Kendal, Braden, Aubrey, Brinley and McKay. And Sean and Kristen had Teagan, Kyden and Grayson.

Life became loud and fun and full of activities. Kelly showered them all with love, made them pounds upon pounds of Party Mix, and gave each of them a special nick name. And in return, they showered her with love, DEVOURED pounds upon pounds of Party Mix, and gave her a special nick name — Baubles.

As the story goes, Kelly babysit Logan on a regular basis, and when she arrived, she always blew bubbles for him. Over time, he began to associate her with the bubbles, which he pronounced baubles. And just like that, Grandma Kelly became Baubles, which was later shortened to Bubs by Logan’s little sister Trinity.

Bubs was present at holidays, birthdays, sporting events, plays, dance recitals, singing performances and graduations. She cheered on the sidelines, brimming with pride. And when it was time for her to go home, she would give you a hug — that was so deep and so tight — it was IMPOSSIBLE not to feel immensely loved by her.

In addition to loving her family, Kelly also loved playing games. You name it, she played it. Her favorites were Bridge, Yahtzee, Mexican Train and Rummikub. She played with her friends. She played with her kids. She played with her grandkids. She even played on her iPad. And most of the time she won!

When she wasn’t gaming, she was coloring, reading, dining out with friends, sunbathing in Hawaii, traveling with Anne & Blair, lounging in Tahoe with the Ladies of the Lake, relaxing in Carmel, cuddling with her Dachshunds, or watching one of her favorite TV shows: Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, and Judge Judy to name just a few.

Kelly's legacy is simple but powerful — she came to share her incredible heart. In the end, you never wondered if Kelly loved you. You knew that she did!

Kelly, you will be missed and you will ALWAYS be loved.

🍀 May love connect us, faith direct us, and God protect us. 🍀

A Rosary will be said on December 27, 2002, at 6:00 p.m. at

Whitehurst Chapel

836 E. Nees Avenue, Fresno, CA 93720

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on December 28, 2022 at

St. Paul Catholic Newman Center

1572 E. Barstow Avenue, Fresno, CA 93710

Interment of Ashes to follow after the funeral service at

Calvary Cemetery

1411 W. Belmont Avenue, Fresno, CA 93728

Celebratory Luncheon will be held after the Interment of Ashes at

Pardini’s, 2257 W. Shaw Avenue, Fresno, 93711

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kelly’s memory to:

Catholic Charities Diocese of Fresno

149 N Fulton St, Fresno, CA 93701

https://ccdof.networkforgood.com/projects/39521-catholic-charities-of-the-diocese-of-fresno

Friends of the Fresno County Public Library

P.O. Box 4523

Fresno, CA 93744-4523

https://www.fresnofol.org/donate/