Jeanne L. Kelly

Jeanne L. Kelly was born in Hampton, Iowa to Bertram P. and Mary O. Puckett on July 21, 1921, and passed away in Chula Vista, California on January 12, 2015. Jeanne has lived in Chula Vista for the past 58 years. Jeanne grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She attended the University of Arizona where she was president of her chapter of Pi Beta Phi Sorority and graduated in 1943 with a Bachelors degree in Home Economics. She worked in a radio assembly plant after college to support the war effort, but a sorority sister flew for American Airlines and told her they were hiring in New York. She got the job and began flying routes from Los Angeles to Chicago and Mexico City. She met her husband, then Captain Robert E. Kelly on a blind date in 1947. They were married in 1948. Jeanne moved to Chula Vista in 1956 and raised their five sons. She was very active in Chula Vista with her sons. She was a Den Mother for Pack 194 and an active Boy Scout volunteer for over 60 years. She was a member of the Hilltop Band boosters for many years and earned the nickname of Kodak Kelly for her photography of the band. She was president of both Hilltop Elementary and Hilltop Junior High PTA. She was a 72 year member of PEO and a past president of chapter OJ in Chula Vista. She was also active in local politics where she served on the Chula Vista Elementary School Board, a poll worker during elections, and was a member of the Republican Women's Club. She was also a member of the DAR, Easter Star, and Chapter advisor of Pi Beta Phi at San Diego State. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bertram and Mary Puckett; and her husband, Lt. Col. R. E. Kelly. She is survived by her brother, Robert W. Puckett; her five sons and their wives: Bill and Betsy, Bob and Monica, Chris and Kathi, Jim and Donna, and her youngest son John; her seven grandchildren: Mark, Tracy, and Patrick (Bill's children), Eddie (Bob's son), Olivia and Christina (Chris's daughters) and Janielle (Jim's daughter); and seven great-grand- children. Viewing will be Saturday, January 17th at Glen Abbey in Bonita from 5pm to 9pm. Services are also at Glen Abbey at 10am on Sunday, January 18th. Interment will be Tuesday, January 20th at Forest Lawn in Hollywood Hills, CA.

Published in U-T San Diego on Jan. 15, 2015