Carlene Kelly

On Sept 2, 2021, our Heavenly Father welcomed one of His earthly angels into His loving arms. Carlene passed away at home after a recurrence of Lymphoma, which she had periodically and courageously battled for the last 12 years.

She was born on March 4, 1939, in Pine Bluff Arkansas. She was the oldest of 6 children born to Carl B. Jones and Amy L. Jones (McCool). Carlene met the love of her life, Robert L. Kelly, while he was stationed at the Pine Bluff Arsenal base. They married on September 18, 1959, and shared 62 years of marriage. She was a wonderful, loving wife and mother to their four children: Debra, Linda Brown (Ross), Susan and Robert Jr. and grandmother to their three grandchildren: Taylor and Natasha Kelly and Ken Brown.

Carlene had a beautiful soprano voice and grew up singing in the church choir. Throughout her life, she often sang solos at Christmas and Easter services and for weddings and funerals.

She was a wonderful cook and made all our family birthdays, holidays and get-togethers special, including making homemade, decorated birthday cakes for the grandkids.

Although Carlene was raised a Southern Baptist, and became a Lutheran after her marriage to Robert, she truly believed that God is where we are and that He sees us all as His children, regardless of the church we attend. More than any other person that we’ve known, our Mom lived her faith. She put the needs and wants of others before her own. Even after this last battle with lymphoma, when she was told that her prognosis was terminal, her main concern was for how her illness and death would affect her family. Carlene showed incredible strength and courage throughout her battles with lymphoma.

She always knew she wanted to be a nurse and when her youngest child started school, she went to college and earned her nursing degree in 1979. She worked as an OB-GYN nurse at Meriter Hospital (Madison General) Birthing Center for the next 20 years. She was appreciated by patients, doctors and her peers for her compassion, knowledge, dedication and energy.

Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital was her favorite charity. She has always loved children and the thought of them having to endure the trauma and difficult treatment following a cancer diagnosis broke her heart. She always requested we donate to charities instead of giving her gifts for special occasions.

Carlene enjoyed making quilts and made numerous quilts for family and friends. For many years she was a member of a quilting group at St. Mark’s Lutheran church that made hundreds of quilts that could function as shelter (tent-size) for families affected by natural disasters. After learning about Project Linus (from her sister Betty), Carlene also began making quilts for Project Linus, to help provide comfort for children during times of distress.

After retirement Carlene continued to enjoy fly fishing, gardening, hiking, reading, spending time with the grandkids, family and friends and more time at the family cabin in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She was especially close to Nancy Kelly (“Sis”), who is both family and a dear friend. Additionally, she and Robert were devoted to providing care for their youngest grandson, Ken, after his mom returned to work. They were especially close and enjoyed many trips to the parks, Vilas zoo, swimming and fishing.

Family and friends mattered most to Carlene. She was always there with a kind word and a sweet smile to offer love and support. Making others happy and being helpful was important and very satisfying for her.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Carlene and Bob’s neighbors -- Chris and Kate St Clair, Barb Wolf and Paul and Emily Gross -- for all the assistance, love, friendship and support they have provided over the years. They are more than neighbors to both Carlene and Robert. They have shown the sort of kindness and concern that feels like family. We consider them all blessings.

We would also like to express our gratitude to Agrace Hospice for the care they provided.

Carlene was the heart of our family and will always be missed.

A Memorial Service for family and friends will be planned for a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Shriners Hospital for Children or your favorite charity would have been Carlene’s preference.

Fisherman's Prayer

I pray that I may live to fish
Until my dying day.
And when it comes to my last cast,
I then most humbly pray:
When in the Lord's great landing net
And peacefully asleep
That in His mercy I be judged
Big enough to keep.