Obituary of Elizabeth B. Kelly

Elizabeth “Bette” Kelly (nee Brennan), a longtime Florham Park resident, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 surrounded by her loving family. She was 89.

Bette was born in New York City on January 28, 1929 to the late Edward H. and Elizabeth Brennan (O’Brien). She attended NYU and worked for the NY Telephone Company until her marriage to her beloved husband, Robert A. Kelly, who predeceased her in 2008. The couple lived in Glendale, NY for 44 years until they moved to Florham Park in 1972. The family summered in Watermill, NY for 22 years, where they created many fond memories.

She is survived by her five children, Robert Kelly (Louise Zimmer), Gregory Kelly, Brian Kelly (Theresa), Elizabeth Kelly and Claudia Kelly; her cherished grandchildren, Catherine Kelly, Elizabeth Hackett (Peter), Shannon Kelly, Megan Kelly, Robert Figueroa, Elliot Figueroa, Ian Figueroa, Elizabeth Figueroa; two great grandchildren, Annabelle and Brendan; a sister-in-law & brother-in-law, Elaine & Charles Schueler; and eight nieces & nephews.

Bette was an artist and participated in many art fairs in the 1960’s, specializing in framed dried flower arrangements. She was always active in the community. In NY she belonged to the Junior League, League of Women Voters and was a reading tutor at the parish school at Sacred Heart School. In NJ she was a feature reporter and had a weekly cooking column in the Florham Park Eagle. Bette was a longtime member of the Welcome Wagon, the Garden Club, the Sew and Sews, the Gourmet Club, and the Suburbanites. Bette delivered Meals on Wheels and volunteered with CASA, as a court appointed special advocate for children. She was a communicant at Holy Family Church, where she was an Ecumenical Minister and participated in the RENEW program. She was the owner of Flowers by Elizabeth for 20 years, creating custom floral arrangements for weddings and special occasions. Bette was known by family and friends as President of See America Unintentionally.

She traveled extensively for years, journeying to Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Northern Africa and Australia.

Funeral services will begin at 9:00AM on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison, followed by a 10:00AM Mass of the Resurrection held at Holy Family RC Church, Florham Park. Interment will follow at Holy Rood Cemetery, Morristown. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation to celebrate Bette’s life held on Monday from 2-4PM and 7-9PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in Bette’s memory to the Florham Park Memorial First Aid Squad, 60 Felch Road, Florham, Park, NJ 07932.

For more information or condolences to the family, please visit www.madisonmemorialhome.com