Mildred "Mickey" Kelly

1927 - 2018

Mildred "Mickey" Kelly
PEORIA - Mildred "Mickey" Kelly, age 90, of Peoria passed away early morning Sunday, March 25, 2018, at Buehler Home in Peoria, IL.
Mickey was born on May 16, 1927, in Peoria, a daughter of Perry and Philomena (Rohman) Murphy. She married Joseph P. Kelly on March 23, 1994. He survives.
She is also survived by her children, Nancy Whalen, Scott (Sherry) Smith, Linda (Al Hanson) Grier and Stacey (Richard) Amberg; as well as her extended family of children, J. Patrick (Bea) Kelly, John (Amy) Kelly, James (Caroline) Kelly, Elizabeth (Jack) Brimeyer, Ann (Steven) Grill, Paul Kelly, Jane (Jim) Shadid, Margaret Kelly and Matthew (Cecilia) Kelly.Also surviving are her grandchildren; Jason, Mickey, Matthew, Michael, Amanda, Kathryn, Taylor, Stephanie, Austin, Regan, J.P., Erin, Julia, John, Brian, Rachel, Laura, James, Bartholomew, Daniel, Robert, Celeste, Anthony, Ellen, Kathleen, Andrew, Clare, Mary, Paul, Nate, Vincent, Casey, James, Joseph, Margaret, Genevieve, William, Thomas, Michael, Matthew, Charles and Sarah plus 42 great grandchildren. She was anxiously waiting to welcome into the world several new great-grandchildren at the time of her passing.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James H. Smith Jr.; her husband, John Benner; her parents; two brothers, George and John Murphy; and her daughter, Teresa Smith.
Mickey was a loving wife and mother who rose to the changing circumstances in her life to become a highly respected business woman and community leader. Upon the death of her first husband, she sought to become the owner of Jim Smith Nissan at a time when women were not welcomed as dealers by the automobile industry. She persevered and became the 5th woman automobile dealership owner in the United States. Her dealership went on to win many awards from Nissan for sales and customer satisfaction. She was one of a select group of dealers chosen to represent Nissan in Washington, D.C., during the Carter administration.
Mickey shared herself with her community and opened doors for other women in business to participate in community organizations. She was the first woman to serve on the board of the Peoria Creve Coeur Club, the first woman on the Bradley Chiefs Club board and she also served on the boards of The Peoria Chamber of Commerce, as well as Goodwill Industries.
After her retirement, she spent many years travelling the world with her beloved husband, Joe, and enjoying the many accomplishments of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at Wright & Salmon Mortuary, with a recitation of the Rosary at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at St. Philomena Catholic Church, with a half hour prior visitation. Fr. David Richardson will officiate and burial will follow at Resurrection in Peoria, IL.
Memorials may be made to the Seminarian Support Group of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria or the donor's choice.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Buehler Home for their loving care and compassion for Mickey.
Friends and family may sign the online guestbook at www.wrightandsalmon.com.