Eileen Elizabeth Kelly

At her home with family by her side, Eileen Kelly went to meet her Lord & Savior on November 5, 2020. Eileen is the beloved wife of Bob Kelly and much loved Mother of Brian Kelly, Maureen Hickey, Robin Baltzer and Kevin Kelly. Cherished Grandmother of Katie, Caroline and Kyra Kelly. Dear twin Sister of Kathleen Gillespie and fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews, two son-in-laws and a daughter-in-law. Visitation will be held on the Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 from 4:00-7:00pm. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at 11:00am at St. Ann’s in Arlington, VA. Eileen was born to James and Blanche Donahue on February 20,. 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio along with her twin sister Kathleen. Eileen had a younger brother Jim Donahue. After their father died when all 3 were young, they moved to a home with their Aunt and Uncle who helped raise them. As a child, Eileen excelled in school and attended Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, Ohio. It was while attending college that she met her husband, Robert (Bob) Kelly, through the Saint Philomena Young Adult Club. Upon Eileen’s graduation, they married and moved to Northern, VA where Bob began his career with the Federal Government. Eileen and Bob had 4 children, Brian, Maureen, Robin and Kevin. The household was normally also filled with cats, hamsters and fish! Eileen and Bob were devoted parents, fiercely supportive of their children’s academic and sporting activities. As devout Catholics, Eileen and Bob ensured that their children developed a strong faith by enrolling them at Saint Ann’s Elementary School and Bishop O’Connell High School. Eileen and Bob enjoyed staying active and became proficient at Pickle Ball, winning the gold medal in the Northern VA Senior Olympics for several years running! They also got to travel the world by visiting their children and grand children with overseas trips including England, Germany, Austria, Italy, Israel, Qatar, China. Stateside their journeys took them to California, Texas, and Colorado. Their ‘home away from home’ became Charlotte, NC where 3 of their children resided. Eileen truly enjoyed her volunteer work at Northern VA Hospital Center where she was involved with the Visitor Escort Service as a “Pink Lady” even managing this volunteer group for a number of years. Eileen was also a skilled seamstress and very talented when it came to crafts. Eileen’s smile and sense of humor will be deeply missed by family, friends and all who knew her.