Mary A Kelley

Mary A. Kelley, age 72, of West Long Branch, New Jersey, passed away on Thursday April 16, 2026, at Jersey Shore University Medical Center surrounded by her family and friends after a five year battle with Covid. She led a brave and gallant fight.

Mary was born on July 17, 1953 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Mary Alberta and Charles Bernard. She graduated Germantown High School in Philadephia and went on to obtain her respiratory therapy degree at the University of Pennsylvania, followed by her nursing degree at Brookdale Community College and finally Monmouth University for which she received Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She was known for her kindness, strength and humor. Her smile lit up the room.

Mary married Susan E. Dick on October 24, 1979, and they renewed their vows on December 27, 2013. They made their home in West Long Branch, New Jersey. She was happy with anything she and Susan did together, and that was many things. Christmas was her favorite time of the year and the house stayed decorated for many months after. She shared this love with the huge Kelley family.

Mary worked with Susan for more than 30 years as a nurse in the family medicine practice, in Neptune, New Jersey. She was respected for her kindness, strength and compassion. Patients always said Mary gave the best shot. And she should have having had Type 1 Diabetes since childhood.

In her free time, Mary enjoyed home, gardening and cooking. She excelled in sports beating her doctor friends at their own games whether it be racquetball, softball, flag football, or whatever game they chose to lose at. She will be remembered for her brilliant smile, steady presence, quick wit and laughter. She loved Susan most of all even if all she could do was watch The Nanny for hours on end. It was her calming therapy in these last few months.

Mary was predeceased by her mother Mary and her father Charles. She is survived by her spouse of 46 years Susan. She had eight brothers and sisters, William, Marlene, Dorothy, Gary, Glenn, Charles and Michael, and has joined most of them in heaven. And lastly there was Ida, her twin, who kicked her out of the womb to become her baby sister. Chuckie, her nephew, was kind and present for her throughout this ordeal. Her smile abounded whenever she saw his face. Her loyal and loving friends, Lori, Tivona and Edna, stood by her until the very end when she took her final breaths.

A service will be held on Sunday April 19, 2026 at 1:30 pm at Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels, 2130 NJ-35, Ocean Township, New Jersey 07712. A burial is to follow at Beth-El Cemetery 3351 Route 33, Neptune, New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made in Mary’s name to Breakthrough T1D, formerly JDRF, at www2.breakthrough1d.org. No flowers please.

A special heartfelt thanks goes out to all of her caregivers at home, in the hospital, in rehab and at their offices for their compassionate care, and to all who have offered support during this time.