Ruth Yancovich Retif Kelley

Ruth Yancovich Retif Kelley, age 83, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Metairie on Thursday, August 22, 2024. Ruth was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend to all. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Ruth was preceded in death by her first husband, Errol A. Donnelly; her second husband of 17 years, Ernest H. Kelley; her sisters, Janet Wilcox Boyd and Rose Mae Yancovich; her brothers, Sidney Yancovich, Arthur Yancovich, Norman Yancovich, Rene Yancovich, Donald "Dickie" Kennair and her parents, John Albert Retif and May Yancovich Retif.

She is survived by her two children, Errol “Sonny” Donnelly, II (Susan); and Erin Donnelly Fremin (Tom); her brother, Joel Yancovich; her grandchildren, Ryan Fremin (Rebecca), Brendan Donnelly (Kathleen), Patrick Donnelly (Camille), and Kevin Donnelly; her great grandchildren, Ty Fremin, Raegan Fremin, Rhett Fremin, Riggs Fremin, Margot Donnelly, Josie Donnelly, Collins Donnelly, Emery Donnelly, and George Donnelly; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ruth was born in New Orleans on April 1, 1941. She graduated from Annunciation High School in 1959 and from Loyola University, where she studied classical music and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts. She retired from IBM Corporation in New Orleans after 30 years as the Human Resources Director. She was a concert pianist as well as an accomplished organist. She performed at various ceremonies and church services over the years.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass in the chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Friday, August 30, 2024, at 1:00PM. Visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 11:00AM. The interment will follow the Mass at St. Louis Cemetery No. III.

To view and sign the online guest book, visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com