Flora Jane Kelly

FLORA JANE (Bailey) KELLY, better known as “Flo”, 85, beloved mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend, of Palm Bay, Florida, passed away peacefully in hospice care in the early morning hours of February 21, 2025 after a brave fight with cancer.

The daughter of Albert and Mildred (Drake) Bailey, Flo was born October 25, 1939, in Ithaca, New York. She spent much of her adult life in the Syracuse, New York, area where she had a successful career as a respected businesswoman. Flo was a “people person” with a strong work ethic and leadership qualities. Active for many years in the American Businesswomen’s Association (ABWA), Flo was elected to several offices, including President. A long-term employee of Agway, Inc., she rose to the title of Records Manager. After retirement, Flo and her husband Fred were snowbirds for many years, living summers at their camp in Oswego, New York, but primarily in Palm Bay, Florida. Flo selflessly volunteered hundreds of hours of time with the Auxiliaries at Holmes Regional Medical Center and Palm Bay Hospital.

Flora was predeceased by her parents; husband (Frederick Kelly, Jr.) who died in 2013; brother (Albert “Sonny” Bailey, who died in childhood); nephews (baby Albert Steven Bailey and Jason Bailey); step-children (Colleen Kelly Meadow and Frederick “Bill “Kelly III); and sister-in-law (Robin Westlake Bailey).

Survived by son, Stephen Slingerland of Syracuse, New York; brother, Ralph Bailey of Interlaken, New York; nephew, Jeffrey Bailey; step-children, Nancy (Kim) Moran, Burt (Rosemary) Kelly, and Brian (Andrea) Kelly; grandchildren, Erica Kelly, Kelsey (Matthew) Hauswirth, Abigail (John Mann) Moran, Zachary Kelly, and Ariana Kelly; great-granddaughter Zoey Hauswirth; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

Final arrangements are in the care of Fountainhead Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 7803 Babcock Street, Palm Bay, Florida 32909 (T: 321-768-0776). Visitation and memorial with graveside service immediately following are planned for March 4, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.

Contributions to the American Cancer Society in Flo’s memory, in lieu of flowers, would be most appreciated.