Gertrude Ann Kelly

March 20, 1917 – March 12, 2016

Gertrude Ann Kelly, of Lancaster, a teacher for the hearing impaired who in retirement was a literacy volunteer, died Saturday in Elderwood at Lancaster. She was 98.

Born in Buffalo, the former Gertrude Considine earned her bachelor's degree from Buffalo State Teachers College and worked toward a master's degree at the University of Buffalo, focusing on the hearing impaired.

She worked at first in Schenectady, then returned to Buffalo to teach at St. Mary's School for the Deaf. After raising four children, she returned to teaching in the early 1960s at Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary School.

Mrs. Kelly later worked in the Buffalo schools, teaching at School 84, School 11 and Emerson, Kensington and Burgard Vocational high schools. After retiring in 1986, she spent nine years as a literacy volunteer, teaching people to read.

She enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid gardener and birdwatcher. She also enjoyed music, reading and traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Her husband of 35 years, John H., died in 1977.

Survivors include two sons, Rev. Paul and Joseph; two daughters, Mary Sanford and Nancy; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by her son, Paul, at 10:45 a.m. Friday in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 1085 Englewood Ave., Town of Tonawanda.