Chicago’s Southside & moved to Florida in 1984. While in Chicago she was a
beautician & owned “The Shampoo Bowl” on the northwest side. She later retired with
her husband James T. Kelly.
She volunteered many hours at Bay Pines V.A. from 1987-2020. Throughout those
years, she gave numerous free haircuts to the veterans, played bingo with them in
bldg.1 on the 4th floor & donated prizes, did arts & crafts with the vets & taught them
how to paint & make bracelets/necklaces.Jen was also a volunteer & screener for
Project Pup from 1992 & for a number of years. She rescued several dogs from SPCA.
Jen would dress her dogs “Petey” & “Precious” in military attire & other costumes. She
would bring them to Bay Pines Nursing Home & Hospice to uplift the veterans. She just
wanted to put a smile on their face. She had such a devotion & respect for the veterans
& everyone at Bay Pines.
Jen had many hobbies throughout the years from making teddy bears to making
jewelry. But her greatest passion was oil painting. She created some beautiful paintings
through the years.She was also a member of the Madeira Beach Seniors Club & did
many activities.
Jen is preceded in death by her husband of 35 yrs. James T. Kelly, Veteran: World War
II & beloved son Thomas J. Kelly, also a veteran. Jen is survived by her daughter Trish
& husband George Gazdacka, and granddaughter Shannon Gazdacka. Step
granddaughters Pam Calvanese, Patricia Grinion, & Paula Kelly Hescock & their mother
Dottie Kelly.
There will be a graveside service for family & friends on Feb.12, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.
Serenity Gardens Memorial Park located at 13401 Indian Rocks Rd., Largo, Fl. 33774,
Phone # (727) 595-2914.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to MDS Foundation or to Project
Pup or Meals on Wheels Pinellas County.
