Mary Jo Thielen Kelley

Mary Jo Kelley, 91, of North Kansas City, went to be with the Lord Saturday, December. 8th, 2012. Mom had suffered a stroke two weeks earlier and had had a few days of improvement. Truly it was a gift from the Lord to have those few days with her before she left us.

Mary Jo was born in Humboldt, Kansas in 1921. She moved to Kansas City after the war. Married to James J. Kelley, January 21st, 1946, together they raised seven children. Mom and Pop; what a team they were and what stories they had about life with all of us. We couldn't begin to tell what wonderful parents they were.

To say Mom was a special woman doesn’t even come close to describing her. Her love for others and her gift of helping others was always evident in her life. Always active in both community and church, Mary Jo was well respected and loved by all who knew her. For many years, she served in the Altar Society in many capacities.

She was a professional seamstress throughout her life. From teaching classes at the YWCA, to creating numerous beautiful wedding dresses, to sewing many years’ worth of school uniforms for Holy Cross, and even doing alterations at the Gardens, she never tired of helping others with her needle and thread.

After all of her children moved away, she and Pop converted their large home in Northeast into a home-style Bed and Breakfast. They enjoyed guests from all over the world and most all of them got a taste of family life with the Kelley's as well. Even after Pop's passing she still maintained her hospitality fun for a few years.

She always possessed a flare for writing and took several creative writing classes and even had a few stories published. For all her children, she wrote a book of the story of her life that we will forever cherish.

Mom had a secret persona, Mrs. Claus, who showed up to entertain for countless events. When she donned that outfit, her alter ego allowed her to say and do things Mary Jo wouldn’t dare attempt. All in jest, she would have everyone laughing.

She moved from Northeast Kansas City to the Gardens Apartments in North Kansas City five years ago. Although she was reluctant to let go of the home she and Pop shared for over 40 years, she found her niche at The Gardens. She so enjoyed the many, many friends she spent time with there. Playing cards was a daily activity as well planning and attending parties and events. We kids would almost have to ‘schedule’ time with Mom as she had such a full calendar of fun with her friends and her dear sister, Elizabeth.

A trip to the boats or a trip across seas, Mom loved to travel. She and her sister spent many occasions traveling together, for conventions, for family visits, for tours with the women's group, even enjoying many hours on the penny slots at the boats.

All her children, her in-laws (lovingly called out-laws), grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, neighbors, fellow parishioners, are thankful for the legacy she leaves to all of us.

Bye, Mom. See you in Glory.

Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m. followed by Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 13th, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 5100 St. John Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64123. Private graveside in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the HolY Cross Catholic Church or Disabled American Veterans, 8026 Wornall Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64114, www.dav.org. Condolences may be offered at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com.