Lee McGann Kelly

Lee McGann Kelly, 89, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 21, 2024, surrounded by her 5 children, after a life filled with love, service, and dedication to family. She was born and raised in Shorewood Hills, Madison. She met her loving husband Jack at West High School. They dated in college at the University of Wisconsin Madison and married in 1955. 

Lee always said the job she most wanted was to be a Mom. She and Jack had 5 kids. She spent most of her time cooking, baking, as a Brownie Leader, teaching us crafts, videotaping swimming, diving, gymnastics, hockey and golf all while moving 11 times! She also taught us about caring for others through community service by delivering Meals on Wheels for 11 years and volunteering at the UW Hospital in the Children’s Unit. Kids were always her focus. She went back to college after 5 kids and earned her degree on the Deans List, with Honors, at UW-Madison School of Home Economics with a BS in Child Development. Here she started her work as a “pseudo parent” for young children whose parents could not be at their side during medical procedures and recovery. She had a special bag of toys and books and was what we now call a Child Life Specialist. Lee is still in contact with some of those extended families she helped 50 years ago. She also spent time with the UW Nursery School (which she attended when she was young). She read books and brought in crafts to complete with them. She even had a big Teddy Bear party for the Bunny Class. This past year she read two Halloween books and brought in reading blankets for them to knot and complete. For many years she has sponsored a scholarship for a preschool teacher internship within the UW Child Development Lab. They were very special to her.

In honor of Lee’s lifetime dedication for the wellbeing of children and families, Lee was honored on the 100 Women of Honor Wall by the School of Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin.

She was proud to have re-pledged into the Alpha Phi Sorority at UW Madison during her return to college. She was activated on the eve of her 21st wedding anniversary.

As many of you know, she was an amazing Bear Maker. Baby bears for newborns and jointed bears with personality for friends and family. She also made porcelain dolls, stitched needlepoint and knitted. She was a sewer all of her life, a skill learned from her Mother. 

Golf became her favorite hobby as her kids grew up and out of the house. The love of the game came from her Father. She was a Daddy’s girl. She became a 3 handicap at one point. Lee accomplished 12 holes in one, tied with husband Jack…unless you count her COVID hole in one. Then she has 13!! She was President of the WIS Club for Women’s Athletics, on the board of Women’s Western Golf Association for 10 years, served with the rules committee for WGA and often helped with the junior golfers and women’s golf league at the clubs where she was a member. She and Jack were members at Nakoma, Blackhawk, Maple Bluff, Minocqua, The Honors Club, Harbor Ridge and Jupiter Hills. They traveled often to Ireland, Scotland, England and Australia to play golf. Meeting other golfers and sharing the game they loved, was their joy. 

She also loved to stay in contact with every friend she met along the way as well as family members. She kept the lost art of letter writing alive! She even made photo stationary to gift to others using pictures she took of nature. 

Lee was known for sharing and caring for others. She loved to bake to excess and deliver cookies, rhubarb bread and her famous Kelly Christmas Cinnamon Roll, throughout the year.

Our mom had a secret talent as a poet which she shared only with family. Many very special words were given to us. In one of her books, she shared this thought for her grandchildren and great grandchildren which applies to all.

LIVE, LAUGH and LOVE! I want you to understand your parents love you and did the best for you. I want you to listen to all they have to say, for your benefit. I wish for you a wonderful life full of family, so that your children may experience the best life has to offer.

Lee was preceded in death by her parents Nola and Louis McGann and her beloved husband Jack.

She is survived by her sister, Kaye Waggoner of Birmingham, Alabama, and the entire Waggoner family, with whom we hold dear. She is also survived by her children: • Sue (Joe) Gambardella and their son, Joey • Scott (Gigi) Kelly • Carrie (Pete) Waite and their children: Ryan (Carissa) Waite and daughters Jocelyn and Keira, Eric (Katie) Waite and daughters Gracie and Eleanor • Tricia Kelly with her son, Kaleb Crowley • Jerry (Carol) Kelly with their son, Cooper Kelly.

Lee’s family also acknowledges the deep bond with our cousins from the Ron Kelly family. Additionally, she was preceded in death by her first dog, Brandy, and is survived by her loving, forever faithful dog, Father Paddy, who sat alongside her through her journey.

There will be a private family burial in Madison. 

Memorial donations may be made payable to the UW Foundation with a note to direct tributes to the Child Development Lab Enhancement and Excellence Fund #112380044, US Bank Lockbox, Box 78807 Milwaukee WI 53278-0807, https://childdevelopmentlab.wisc.edu/support/, Agrace Hospice, Fitchburg, WI, https://www.agrace.org/donate/donate-today/, or Treasure Coast Hospice in Martin County, FL, https://treasurehealth.org/292/Donate.

Please share your memories of Lee here on her tribute page. 

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406