Bernice A. Kelly

Bernice A. Kelly, 95, of Coldwater, MI and formerly of Chicago, Illinois, passed away Friday, September 19, 2014 at Masonville Assisted Living in Coldwater. She was born January 12, 1919 to Joseph and Anna L. (Kolenski) Kelly in Coldwater, Michigan. Bernice was very devoted to her faith and a former member of St. Christina’s Catholic Church in Chicago, IL., She was blessed with many wonderful church friends  who watched over and cared for her. She looked forward to the weekly  "coffee and breakfast club" with her friends. 

Bernice came to Chicago as a young woman to work as a nanny.  She enjoyed traveling  and later became a clerk in a downtown Chicago business until her retirement. Her hobbies were bowling, needlework and  gardening.  She loved flowers and saw the beauty in all living things.  She was a resourceful person, "inventing" new ways to use the smallest, most common items, like bottle caps and curtain rods.

Although Bernice never married she enjoyed the company and love of many nieces and nephews who have fond memories of her and knew her as Aunt Bernie.  Aunt Bernie arrived by train from the big city for every holiday, birthday and  graduation  (however, she would tell the children that she came by magic carpet, but it was in the shop so she couldn’t give anyone a ride). Those special occasions and many more were always captured on  her 8 millimeter camera which were shared at Aunt Bernie’s next visit. Her nieces and nephews  remember the long walks with her which she always made into an adventure.  Bernice never learned to drive a car and instead rode a bicycle every day, until about age 85, when the bike finally fell apart.  Her deep faith and healthful living were prime factors in the long, good life that Bernice lived.

Bernice is preceded in death by her parents as well as her siblings; Martha Starich, Raymond Kelly, Bernard Kelly, Harry Kelly, Philip Kelly, Genevieve Kenton.

Visitation will be on Friday, September 26, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the St. Christina Catholic Church in Chicago, IL. The Mass of Christian burial will follow at the church beginning at 11:00 AM . Bernice will be laid to rest at the Holy Sepulcher Catholic Cemetery in Chicago, IL.