Catherine Margaret Kelly

January 21, 1924 ~ March 24, 2013

Catherine Margaret (Peggy) Kelly, 89, of Redding, CA, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, died Sunday, March 24, 2013, at Copper Rodge Care Center in Redding.

Born to Daniel McManus and Mary M. McManus (near Windsor) January 21, 1924, in culver City, CA, she is survived by son Michael of Redding, daughter Kathleen, granddaughter Aleece, grandson-in-law Mick Kelly and great-grandson Wyatt, all of Los Angeles, and brother John Patrick McManus of Sun City, AZ.

A heroine early in life, at age 10 she suffered serious burns when she saved her younger brother Daniel's life after his pajamas went up in flames while standing too close to an open gas heater.

In another quick-thinking action she saved brother Pat from kidnappers by screaming so loudly that the would-be kidnappers were forced to run off, leaving Pat safely behind.

During World War II, she became one of many "Rosie the Riveters" at Douglas Aircraft while she awaited the return from the South Pacific theater of her husband-to-be USMC Corporal William Todd Kelly whom she married September 14, 1944, and together they started their family, eventually settling in Anaheim, CA, before resettling in Redding in 1979.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years in 1988.

In recent years she was pleased to have been involved in Golden Umbrella and Foster Grandparents and especially in working with youngsters for several years as a "Kindergarten Grandma."

Services were private, per her request. Interment will be in Redding Memorial Park and handled by McDonald's Chapel.