Patricia M. Kelly

Born on Bastille Day, July 14, 1946, in the vibrant heart of Chicago, Pat entered the world with a spark of revolutionary energy and true American spirit. The devoted daughter of Maurice and Anne Boyd, she was a true Chicagoan through and through. She later moved to the Heart of Dixie and embraced her Southern home with open arms and wholeheartedly adopted its traditions and spirit. She said “Go Sox!” and “Roll Tide!!” with the best of them.

She was the eternal love of her cherished husband, Ray Kelly. Their romance was one for the ages and had 37 years of marriage together before his passing. They built a life filled with eternal love, adventure, laughter, and dedication to their family.

A loving mother to Cathleen, Tim, and Dan, and despite her children’s devotion to the Cubs, Pat was steadfast as timeless nurturer and force of nature. She was the heart of countless adventures and beautiful memories throughout their childhoods. Whether as the room mom, troop leader, team mom, theatre volunteer, she was always the first to help.

Pat poured her heart into her entire family — her sisters and brothers, nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, in-laws, cousins – the list could go on and on. Her warmth and energy also touched friends, neighbors, and every child who crossed her path, making her “Gigi” to many.

Nothing brought her greater joy than her grandchildren—Anne Rogers, Sally Cate, and Brother—whose laughter was music to her soul. She treasured her time with them daily and filled their cups with endless joy, laughter, and support.

Pat was kind. She was patient. She was always up for a good time, and she never stopped. She was inclusive — she never met a stranger and never let anyone feel alone. She made sure everyone had a seat at her table and had a way of making you feel like she had saved the very best seat just for you. She loved her people, and her people loved her.

Pat lived boldly and loved fiercely. She treated every soul she met as family, teaching them to laugh loudly, care deeply, and face life with courage and kindness. Her legacy is one of devotion, adventure, and an enduring, life-affirming spirit.

She is survived by her daughter Cathleen Hines (Bo) of Tuscaloosa; sons, Tim Kelly (Jenna) and Dan Kelly of Huntsville, and her cherished grandchildren, Anne Rogers, Sally Cate, and Brother Hines.

She is also survived by her siblings Maureen Michalski, Tom Boyd, Mary Dunneback (Jim), Cathy Boyd, Ken Boyd, Joe Boyd (Kathy), and a gaggle of extended family and loved ones.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Ray Kelly, her devoted parents Maurice and Anne Boyd, her sister Liz Boyd, her brother John Boyd, and her dear “outlaws” Betty Jane Boyd, Dennis Michalski, and Jacque Boyd.

A Funeral Mass will be held on July 17th at 1:30 pm at St. Francis Catholic Church in Tuscaloosa. The family will receive friends in the Parish Hall from 2:30 pm until 4:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in her honor to the Rise Center at the University of Alabama or Programa Velasco.