Jeanne R. Kelly

She was born on December 3, 1924 in Philadelphia, PA, the daughter of the late Stanley Emanuel Ridderhof and Dorothy Mercer Marot Ridderhof. Also remembered is her husband, Hercules Ross Kelly, Jr., a son, Ross Stanley Kelly and a sister, Bernice Ridderhof Hill, all of who preceded her in death.

Mrs. Kelly was a volunteer at Hampstead Thrift Shop for twenty years and also wrote for the Pender Post. She was one of the original team that developed the famous Spot Festival in Hampstead. Prior to this, she trained horses and taught equitation classes at Quantico and Fort Bragg. Mrs. Kelly traveled throughout her life due to the military careers of her father and husband. She often had to raise and move her military family alone while her husband was deployed overseas. She and her husband Herc weathered and rebuilt their lives through 3 wars, 10 hurricanes and 13 postings. Mrs. Kelly was an amazingly, strong woman with a lifetime of incredible experiences including being present on the beach in Hawaii to witness the bombing of Pearl Harbor. She was fiercely independent and worldly wise until the end.

Surviving is one son, Randall Mark Kelly and wife Sharon of Banner Elk, NC. Five grandchildren, Ross S. Kelly II, Allison Kelly, Caitlin Kelly Pugh, Justin Carver and Josh Carver.

No local services will be held.

Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.