On Monday, Feb. 14, our beloved Lillian Ida Kelly passed away at the age of 90. We find comfort knowing she was able to join her husbands of over 50 years, Patrick, on Valentine’s Day.
Lillian was born and raised in Auburn,WA in 1931 where she lived with her parents CB and Jesse Luther. After graduating from Auburn High School, she left home to attend college at Central Washington University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Education. She went on to earn an advanced degree from the University of Washington while teaching elementary school in Auburn,Washington.
Lillian’s greatest love was her family. She married her husband, Patrick, also from Auburn, in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1963. They settled in Auburn, where they had two children, Patricia “Patty” and Michael “Mike.” Lillian paused her teaching career to focus on her children during their younger years.The family moved to MeridianValley,in Kent, WA in the 1970’s. Lillian returned to teaching in the late 1970’s where she continued to have a rewarding career as an elementary school teacher in the Auburn School District.
Lillian went on to enjoy mom’s weekends with her kids in college at WSU, and she later became a proud grandmother to her three grandchildren, Jack Brebner, Maggie Kelly and Leo Kelly. During retirement she was very involved in her grandchildren’s lives. She was especially fond of what she called “floor time,” always engaging with them in ways that brought everyone joy and hours of fun. Her gentle and sweet nature and infinite patience will be missed by everyone.
She will be remembered for her intelligence, passion for art, music, and politics; and love of a good conversation. Lillian is survived by her children, Patty (Kelly) Brebner and Mike Kelly, and her grandkids, Jack Brebner, Maggie Kelly and Leo Kelly.
Her memorial service will be at Tahoma National Cemetery, at 10:30 am on March 3, where she will be laid to rest with her husband, Patrick Joseph Kelly.Remembrances can be made to:Alzheimer’s foundation of America https://alzfdn.org, and the Susan G. Komen | Unite to End Breast Cancer Foundation: https://www.komen.org.
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