Mary T. Kelly

Mary T. Kelly COLUMBIA - A memorial mass for Mary T. Kelly, 90, will be celebrated 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 14, 2013 in St. John Neumann Catholic Church with inurnment to follow in St. Peters Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6 until 8:00 p.m. at the home of Mary and Francis Neuffer. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel is assisting the family. Mrs. Kelly passed away on Saturday, November 9, 2013. She was born January 18, 1923, grew up in Yonkers, N.Y., and was the daughter of Joseph and Cecelia Turcotte. She graduated from Mount St. Vincent College with a B.S. in physics in 1945, and later earned a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from NYU in 1952. It was at NYU where she met her husband Robert Kelly who was also a graduate student. The two were married in 1952. She taught chemistry at NYU, St. Peters College, and later at Columbia College and Cardinal Newman High School. She and her husband moved to Columbia in 1965 where they raised seven children. A longtime member of the League of Women Voters, she served as president and held many leadership roles. With her strong chemistry background, she was an informed advocate on complex environmental issues facing South Carolina. She played a large role in framing environmental legislation on water quality, hazardous, and nuclear waste issues. In 1984 she received the SC Wildlife Federation conservationist of the year award and was presented with an award of special achievement by Governor Richard Riley in 2009. Mrs. Kelly and her husband were members of St. John Neumann Catholic Church. Surviving sons Robert Kelly (Roxanne) of Daytona Beach, Fla.; John Kelly of Atlanta, Ga.; Joseph Kelly (Marie) of Hendersonville, Tenn.; Tim Kelly (Shelia) of Belmont , N.C.; daughters Mary K. Neuffer (Francis) of Columbia, S.C.; Grace Kelly (Jim Wright) of Columbia, S.C.; Ann K. Lopez (Louis) of Hockessin, Del.; eleven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She was predeceased by husband, Robert James Kelly and a granddaughter, Lisa Dawn Kelly. Memorials may be made to St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 100 Polo Road, Columbia, SC 29223, the SC Chapter of the League of Women Voters, or a charity of one's choice. The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Wildewood Downs and Palmetto Health Hospice for their kindness, love and care. Please sign the online guestbook at ww.dunbarfunerals.com.