Monica H Kelley

Monica Ellen (Harder) Kelley, age 85, of Winter Park, FL, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2025, with her family by her side.

A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Monica will be remembered for her fierce independence, unwavering kindness, and mischievous nature. She made everyone she met feel like family and more than a few of her daughters’ friends referred to her as “Mom K.”

Monica was born on May 4, 1940, in New Haven, Connecticut, to Albert and Helen Harder (Duggan). The close-knit family included her four doting older siblings, Cecily, John, Joan, and Jean as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She graduated from Saint Mary’s School in New Haven in 1958.

In 1961, Monica married her high school sweetheart, Robert (Bob) Kelley, and they shared 64 years filled with love and laughter. Together they raised two daughters — Maria Gilpin (Geoff) of Winter Park and Alison Serafini (Robert) of San Francisco.

After high school, Monica defied her mother’s wishes for a career in public education (her parents and most of the family were educators for the New Haven Public School system) and instead enrolled in The Wood School in New York City. After earning her executive secretarial certificate, Monica worked for a law firm in New Haven, as secretary to the Human Resources Director at the Sears warehouse in Winter Park, and for a neurology office in St. Louis.

Her proudest position, though, was serving as President of the Martin County, Florida, Friends of the Library in Palm City for 2 years. She volunteered at the library for more than 10 years overall. She also participated in Martin County Public Schools’ tutoring program, working with the same student from first through third grades.

Monica loved to sew, making clothes, curtains, and beautiful quilts over the years. Her grandson, Robert, celebrated many Halloweens in her astounding costumes: as a dragon when he was an infant, and then as a panda, a dinosaur, and several years of ninjas.

Through helping her father in his World War II victory garden as a child, Monica learned how to nurture plants and tended a little garden everywhere she and Bob lived over the years.

Monica also loved playing cards, especially Bridge. She and Bob participated in numerous Bridge clubs over the years in St. Louis, Palm City, and Winter Park. She led hilarious family game nights, playing Trivial Pursuit, Scrabble, and Scattergories.

In 1977, Monica found her happy place in Sanibel Island, FL. Shocking her husband and daughters, she bought into one of Florida’s first timeshare opportunities and was an owner for over 40 years. She made lifelong friends there and established a continuing family tradition.

Monica is survived by her husband, two daughters, and 3 grandchildren — Robert, Hanna, and Thomas. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Monica's memory to the Martin County Friends of the Library (https://mclsfriends.org/support).