Patricia Anne Kelly

She was born in Queens, NY, to James and Katherine (Durkin) McHugh. She started working at an early age as a child model in magazines and newspapers and never lost a deep interest in fashion.

She attended St. Dominic High School in Oyster Bay, NY, and met the love of her life at a marquee gridiron autumn matchup between St. Dominic and Eastern Military Academy located in Cold Spring Harbor, NY. George Kelly was smitten for the rest of his life with her Irish beauty, outgoing personality, and love of life.

Pat attended the State University of New York at New Paltz before transferring to Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia in Fredericksburg, VA, and then marrying George after he graduated from The Citadel Military College of South Carolina.

The newlyweds returned to Long Island to start a family and raise their three children.

Pat received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Dowling College in Oakdale, NY, Master of Arts in Elementary Education from Adelphi University in Garden City, NY, and Professional Diploma in Educational Leadership and Administration from C.W. Post College in Brookville, NY.

She dedicated her professional life to early childhood education at Sagtikos Elementary School in Commack, NY, North Shore University Hospital in Roslyn, NY, and Three Village Elementary School in Setauket, NY. She retired in 1992 as Principal of the Board of Cooperative Educational Services, Western Suffolk County, Early Childhood Center in Deer Park, NY, where she was responsible for the development, management, and supervision of 130 professional staff and 125 paraprofessional staff in a Special Education program serving over 500 children and their families.

Pat was a member of the Rotary Club of East Northport, NY, Leadership Huntington Council, Nassau-Suffolk Council of Administrative Women in Education, and Family Service League of Suffolk.

In 1999, Pat and George moved to New Bern, NC, to be close to dear friends. Pat enjoyed being a member of Saint Paul Catholic Church and an active volunteer at Saint Paul Catholic School where she organized the annual Distinguished Alumni Award from 2006 to 2026. She volunteered with Craven County Hospice for many years, was a neighbor extraordinaire, and loved being part of the Greenbrier community.

She is survived by her children, Nancy Kelly (Erin Steffy), Debra Kelly (Steven Parker), and Glenn Kelly (Redonna Martin Kelly), and grandchildren Addison Caite Kelly and Grayson Paige Kelly, nieces Kathleen (McHugh) Shannon (Jack Nickolaisen), Terri Jeanne McHugh, and Patricia (McHugh) Schembri (Larry Schembri), nephew Michael McHugh, great-grandnephews Nolan Foynes (Taylor Foynes) and Liam King, and great-great grandniece Elianna Colleen Foynes. In addition to her dear parents, she was preceded in death by her dear brother James McHugh and her cherished husband George “Bear” Kelly.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 11 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory, 2201 Neuse Blvd, New Bern, NC 28560, and a funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 12 at 1:00 PM at Saint Paul Catholic Church, 3005 Country Club Road, New Bern, NC 28562.

The Kelly family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, a gift be made in loving memory of Patricia Anne Kelly to Craven County Hospice, Craven County Health Department Foundation, P.O. Drawer 12610, New Bern, NC 28561; please make checks payable to Craven County Health Department Foundation.

Cotten Funeral Home is honored to serve the family and friends of Patricia Anne Kelly.