Theresa "Tessie" Kelly, of Houston, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016, surrounded by family. She was 88. Theresa was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and wife to the love of her life, Donald. F. Kelly, with whom she lovingly raised eight children.
She was born on June 26, 1927, to Helen Margaret (Cullen) Kirk and James Francis Kirk in Charlestown, Mass. She was raised Catholic and her faith in God remained strong throughout her life. She graduated from Boston's Cathedral High School and met her husband, Donald, while he was on leave from the Navy in Boston. They married on Sept. 5, 1948, and renewed their vows on their 50th wedding anniversary, surrounded by loved ones in awe of their unyielding bond and respect for one another.
Theresa was devoted to Donald every day of their 57 years together. His career of service to his country working in U.S. Customs took them all over the nation, to Raynham, Mass.; Maryland; Virginia; Norwood, Mass.; Miami; and New York City, a place that remained close to her heart. She was an accomplished seamstress and painter who loved decorating and made it her mission to create a joyful home for her large brood in every new place. They eventually settled in Houston, in a home that became the center of the universe for the Kelly clan. Theresa was at her happiest when her children and grandchildren would descend there for weekend barbecues, sing-alongs at the piano, swimming and late-night talks around her kitchen table. If you couldn't find her at that very table with a cup of coffee and a crossword puzzle, you could be sure she was at the racetrack cheering on the ponies. She had a lasting love of thoroughbreds and at one time owned a racehorse, Acklamation.
She would also gladly have you accompany her to bingo night, and she loved shopping, traveling and sweets. Theresa followed politics closely, enjoyed a lively debate and had a sharp intellect and agile wit to match it. She valued loyalty to family above all else, and her dedication knew no limits; she could be counted on to offer a listening ear, love and support to any one of her children or grandchildren in need.
Theresa was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Kelly; sons Michael Kelly and Thomas Kelly; grandchild, Kevin McKenney; brothers James Kirk, Paul Kirk, and Francis Kirk; and sister Margaret Smith. She is survived by two sons, Daniel Kelly and wife, Nancy, of Houston; and James Kelly, of San Antonio; four daughters, Maureen McKenney and husband, Lester, of Raynham; Christine Kelly, of Houston; Kathleen Crow and husband, Michael, of Houston; and Theresa Christy and husband, Michael, of Dallas; brother Richard Kirk and wife, Linda, of Tewksbury, Mass.; sister Helen Kirk of Everett, Mass.; several nieces and nephews; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
