Helen Elizabeth (Horner) Kelly

Helen Elizabeth (Horner) Kelly, R.N.
Helen Elizabeth (Horner) Kelly, died Monday, February 28, 2022 in Burlington, Massachusetts surrounded by her loving family. She was 94 years old and died of natural causes. Helen was born September 28, 1927 in New Haven, CT to Catherine Veronica (Dinan) Horner and Edward Francis Horner.
Helen graduated from West Haven High School in 1945 and from St. Raphael's School of Nursing, New Haven, CT in 1948, where she worked in the operating room until 1951. She was a school nurse in Windsor, CT and later the Operating Room Supervisor at St. Benedictine Hospital in Kingston, NY. In retirement, she volunteered for five years as a Guide at the National Historic Site at Val-Kill Cottage in Hyde Park, NY. She participated as a subject in the Women's Health Initiative since its inception in 1992. Helen relocated to Cape Cod in 1993, where she lived until 2014.
Helen was married to the late Joseph Kelly, also originally from West Haven, CT. Helen is survived by three daughters, Kathleen (Kelly) Spilke of Westford, MA, Maureen (Kelly) Morse and her husband Alan C. Morse of Lincoln, MA, and Sharon Kelly-Flynn and her husband John L. Flynn of Tallahassee, FL; two grandchildren, Jacqueline Morse and Claire Morse. She is the mother of the late Elizabeth (Kelly) Gingras and sister of the late Douglas Edward Horner (wife Ruth Head). She is also survived by ten nieces and nephews.
Helen was an adventurer who traveled the world with family and friends. She loved the beach, was an avid golfer, an excellent cook, prolific reader, and loved being active with friends riding bikes, playing bridge, swimming, knitting, and attending the Boston Symphony.
Her dry wit and strength of character are rare finds. We will miss her.
Helen's family wishes to thank the health care workers and other staff members at Atria Longmeadow Place in Burlington for their constant kindness and caring, especially at the end of her life.
Funeral services will be private.