Kathleen H (Dowling) Kelly

Kathleen passed peacefully with her family surrounding her on Saturday January 12th, 2019. She was born on June 16th, 1937 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late James and Elizabeth Dowling.

She graduated from John W. Hallahan High School in Philadelphia and Misericordia School of Nursing. She received her undergraduate degree from Wilmington University and graduate degree in business from Central Michigan University. 

She worked as a Registered Nurse in various hospitals in the Philadelphia area before moving to Delaware. She worked as a Nephrology Nurse for over 22 years and earned her Nephrology Certification during that time. She worked for different dialysis providers helping to open dialysis clinics in Kent, Sussex and New Castle Counties. She served as a Board Member of the End Stage Renal Disease Network of Pennsylvania as Delaware’s Representative.

Kathleen’s greatest pleasure was spending time with her family and friends, especially at the beach, which was her little piece of heaven. She was an active member of Holy Cross Parish, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister.

She is preceded in death by her husband James Kelly of 49 years and her beloved son-in-law Gerald W Mayan. Surviving family includes her daughters Kathleen Mayan and Joycelyn Kelly and Joyce’s partner Patricia Conaway, her grandsons James Mayan and his wife Lauren, Gerald Mayan, Jake Mayan and his partner Ashley Hutson, her granddaughter Izabel Kelly-Conaway, and her great-grandchildren Robert, Rylee and Molly Mayan.

Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, 1/17/2019, 12 Noon at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 631 S. State Street, Dover, DE.  Viewing at church prior to Mass beginning at 11 am.  Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Dover, DE

 In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Holy Cross Church Samaritans or Delaware Hospice. 

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