Gertrude "Jimmie" Kaine Kelly

Gertrude Ethel “Jimmie” Kaine Kelly passed away on Wednesday, December 14. She had not been ill and passed unexpectedly; we know she was ready to be with her beloved Johnny again. Jimmie was a fifth generation Texan, born Aug. 27, 1928 in San Antonio, the youngest of eight children born to Gertrude Elizabeth Sanders and Michael Joseph Kaine. Her three brothers, who wanted a fourth, gave her the nickname “Jimmie”. She attended St. Mary’s School where she was voted “Most Intellectual” senior, and was awarded a scholarship to Our Lady of the Lake University. Jimmie loved music and played the piano and the violin. She performed in symphony concerts at the Arneson Theatre on the San Antonio River. In 1951 she married John Warren Lawrence Kelly. After a honeymoon trip to the Shamrock Hilton, they made Houston their home. They had a fun, loving marriage and raised a happy family of five daughters, Kathy Sowards, Patti Berkstresser, Sue Berry, Cary Cahalan, and Annie Rivera. They lived in Bellaire for more than 50 years and were members of Holy Ghost Parish and Holy Rosary Parish. Jimmie was dear to many who always felt loved and welcome at the Kelly home. Jimmie was a devout Catholic, loved being Irish and Texan, had a great sense of humor, played golf and fished, and was a ‘die hard’ fan of the Texas Longhorns, Houston Astros, and the Oilers. Devoted to her family and faith, she was a Girl Scout Leader and cookie chairman, swim team Mom, and master carpool Mom, lovingly supporting her family’s activities. Jimmie was a member of the Charity Guild of Catholic Women, served as shop chairperson, and was honored with their highest recognition, the Emeritus award, in 2008. Jimmie is survived by her daughters and their husbands, fourteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, with a fifth expected in March. She was cherished by our extended family of in-laws and Kaine cousins. Our special thanks and appreciation go to her wonderful caregiver of the past few years, Van Morehead, who shared our love of this sweet Texas lady. A visitation and rosary for Jimmie will be at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 18, The Settegast-Kopf Co. @ Sugar Creek. A Funeral Mass will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday Dec. 19 at Holy Rosary Church, 3617 Milam; interment will be held on Tuesday, December 20 at 10:00 am at Memorial Oaks Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to The Charity Guild of Catholic Women or Interfaith Ministries.